Leanne Rzepiela

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On November 21st, 2019 I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  Six years before this diagnosis, I had tested positive for one of the deleterious BRCA genes. The testing was done because my family had a pretty big history of breast cancer.  In 2014, I began checking in with an oncologist once a year and did annual mammograms and MRI screenings to keep an eye out for cancer.  Aside from a benign cyst, all screenings came back clear for several years. I worked hard to keep up a regular exercise routine and eat healthy foods.  At the age of 43, an MRI unexpectedly showed a small tumor in one breast as well as an enlarged lymph node. A few days later a lymph node biopsy showed cancer metastasis.  At the suggestion of several doctors, I chose to have a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction. The surgeon also ended up removing multiple lymph nodes that tested positive for cancer and the treating oncologist called the disease a Stage III Breast Cancer.  

Caring Bridge Site
As Leanne journeys through the world of cancer treatment, she shares her experience through her journal here on Caring Bridge. You can get updates on how she's doing on her journal page. Feel free to leave words of encouragement or sign-up to help her family here. We appreciate your support. Thank you for visiting.