Journal entry by TERRY BRUNO —
My name is Terry Bruno. I met Rachel on Facebook through an actor, Jeff Wagoner on The Walking Dead. We both have breast cancer and were introduced because he thought she could help me on my cancer journey. That was June of 2019. My journey is nothing compared to what Rachel is going through. She is always optimistic, always smiling, and always concerned about what others are going through. She has a beautiful 4 year old daughter that is the light of her life.
She is MY HERO.
I had a frank conversation with Rachel just the other day. She is overwhelmed with her medical bills. I have started this Caring Bridge site in hopes that kind people will donate to help with her medical bills. Read her story below. Please share it. And please find it in your heart to donate. Any amount will help.
Thank you and God Bless.
RACHEL'S STORY
Hello my name is Rachel Boose, I am from Griffith, Indiana. I just turned 30 years old, and never envisioned that I would enter my 30's with breast cancer. I was living my normal life, doing my day to day activities, taking care of my two and a half year old, two dogs and a house. Enjoying all things about being a stay at home mom. Until March hit and I knew nothing would be the same.
Fast forward to August 2018. I got into a very bad accident which I was not at fault. I T-boned the driver and my car did a 180 into a pole. We thought all I had was a bruised lung and some back pain from the whiplash. We were wrong. After about a month of physical therapy my right leg became numb and I was limping badly so they decided to order an MRI of my back. And after 2 days we then discovered my new fate. Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. It metastasized all up and down my neck and spine. The biggest tumor being in my lower back. it measure just over 5cm in size and was wrapped up in my nerves. So during a 3 hour surgery they removed what they could and left the rest as they didn't want to paralyze me. I had 25 more rounds of radiation and I may need some more after I finish IV chemotherapy. But I won't know Until I get yet another full body scan to see if the chemo is doing its job.
There are many lessons I have learned through this that I want others to know. ALWAYS pay attention to your body, no matter what may or may not be overlooked by a Doctor. Speak up, even if you may not want to know the answers especially just because you may not have family breast cancer like me. And ALWAYS do breast exams, my age or not. Early detection is way better than waiting till its very bad like mine, or sometimes too late. Even if your're scared, just do it. It is always better to know. I was scared, and had a hunch that I knew what was going on but did not want to know. If I had listened to my body I could have had less treatment, less surgery, and less of many things in the beginning. All I can do now is trust in my doctors, medicines, And above all, God. I have a 4 year old daughter I need to be here for and I will give it my all to make sure that happens!
She is MY HERO.
I had a frank conversation with Rachel just the other day. She is overwhelmed with her medical bills. I have started this Caring Bridge site in hopes that kind people will donate to help with her medical bills. Read her story below. Please share it. And please find it in your heart to donate. Any amount will help.
Thank you and God Bless.
RACHEL'S STORY
Hello my name is Rachel Boose, I am from Griffith, Indiana. I just turned 30 years old, and never envisioned that I would enter my 30's with breast cancer. I was living my normal life, doing my day to day activities, taking care of my two and a half year old, two dogs and a house. Enjoying all things about being a stay at home mom. Until March hit and I knew nothing would be the same.
September of 2017 (just turned 29) My daughter had found the lump on my breast while my she was playing on me. I had a Doctor appointment set for November, and knew I had no family history of breast cancer, so I was not too concerned. After my exam my Doctor did not say anything regarding the lump, so I went on my way thinking everything was OK. I then watched this lump in my breast continue to get bigger, with a little bit of pain here and there. And towards the end of February into early March I noticed the lump was protruding out of my breast and the pain was getting severe, so by then knew I was in trouble and was scared. I decided to see my family Doctor instead and they sent me out for a stat mammogram. I cried the whole way there.
So, after the two longest days of my life regarding my biopsy results, they confirmed it was cancer. I couldn't cry because I knew deep down that it was, even though I continued to ignore it. But I knew then and there that I HAD to be ready to fight, and I was not going to back down no matter how bad it was. And after multiple blood tests and scans, they confirmed it was at stage 3. An 11.6 cm tumor which was very aggressive, and it hit a lymph node. Chemo was going to be first and they wanted to shrink it as quick as possible. Then I was told I would then have a mastectomy, with radiation to follow.
Fast forward to August 2018. I got into a very bad accident which I was not at fault. I T-boned the driver and my car did a 180 into a pole. We thought all I had was a bruised lung and some back pain from the whiplash. We were wrong. After about a month of physical therapy my right leg became numb and I was limping badly so they decided to order an MRI of my back. And after 2 days we then discovered my new fate. Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. It metastasized all up and down my neck and spine. The biggest tumor being in my lower back. it measure just over 5cm in size and was wrapped up in my nerves. So during a 3 hour surgery they removed what they could and left the rest as they didn't want to paralyze me. I had 25 more rounds of radiation and I may need some more after I finish IV chemotherapy. But I won't know Until I get yet another full body scan to see if the chemo is doing its job.
There are many lessons I have learned through this that I want others to know. ALWAYS pay attention to your body, no matter what may or may not be overlooked by a Doctor. Speak up, even if you may not want to know the answers especially just because you may not have family breast cancer like me. And ALWAYS do breast exams, my age or not. Early detection is way better than waiting till its very bad like mine, or sometimes too late. Even if your're scared, just do it. It is always better to know. I was scared, and had a hunch that I knew what was going on but did not want to know. If I had listened to my body I could have had less treatment, less surgery, and less of many things in the beginning. All I can do now is trust in my doctors, medicines, And above all, God. I have a 4 year old daughter I need to be here for and I will give it my all to make sure that happens!
-
Patients and caregivers love hearing from you; add a comment to show your support.Help Rachel Stay Connected to Family and FriendsA $25 donation to CaringBridge powers a site like Rachel's for two weeks. Will you make a gift to help ensure that this site stays online for them and for you?
Invite friends and family to visit the site
Show Your Support
See the Ways to Help page to get even more involved.