Love and Breast Wishes

      It's difficult to determine the starting point to this journey.  As some would say, "where do I begin"?  How far back on the family tree do I go?  In an effort to keep this short and sweet I'll give you the abbreviated version to my story.  I always enjoyed Cliff Notes 😉     My maternal grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer in her early 40's.  She battled this disease while raising 4 children in rural Kentucky with science and data that only the 1960's could provide.  It eventually took her life a few years later, just a few months before my parents were married.       Fast forward and amidst the global pandemic in 2020 my sister discovered she had breast cancer.  She was also in her early 40's.  We are blessed to say her treatments worked and she is cancer free!     When my sister received her diagnosis I had a long chat with my doctor.  I was living in Annapolis at the time and the local hospital had a risk and prevention program at their

 6/6/22          Day #1          D-Day   Today I got the call, "I'm so sorry, but it is breast cancer."  I was in the car driving the kids to camp.  A part of me knew and a part of me thought, NO!  They got it wrong, called the wrong person.  How quickly life can change.  A 5 minutes phone call and now my life has halted, a roller coaster of emotions, questions, calling family members and sharing the news.  All while my kids argue over who will survive in their game of Minecraft.  I could finally relate... creating my own "game" and wondering "what do I need for survival"? So here's the good news: it's small and caught early, it's treatable, I'm young and otherwise healthy, I have a sister who I can swap stories and thoughts with who ventured down this road two years ago, I have amazing healthcare and doctors, a loving and generous support system, an awesome husband, and God. This is a lot to process.  Even though I've had a few da

  Allow myself to introduce... myself! If you are here and reading this chances are you are a family member, loved one, or dear friend.  But if you don't know me, found this place because someone recommended it, or are also a Breast Friend of mine going through your own cancer journey... well, I hope I live up to your expectations! My name is Renae.  I am 39 years old. The youngest of 4 daughters to 2 amazing parents.  Married to my best friend and the most amazing father to my 2 wild but extremely loving kids. A lover of music, wine, a delicious gluten free dessert, walks on the beach, my foster fail pup Louie, and watching the sun rise. I now have to add "cancer patient" to my resume.  It doesn't fit in the list of "things I love" or "education" or even "previous experience".  This is new.  Really new.  So new that when my phone rings I run as fast as I can to answer because I think the nurse on the other end is going to say, "I