Breeanne's Brigade

During COVID I became part of a Facebook group full of supportive women my friend Heather Kirk created and it became a safe space for all of us during such troubling times in the world. Recently...I came across a post from Bree opening up to us all about how she found out her cancer was back. She's a mom of three and a wife. Bre wasn't asking for help in her post or pity, she just wanted a safe place to share her news and vent. I'm proud to say I'm part of such an amazing group of women who stepped up to be kind to her.

I asked Bree to write something about herself so you could get a sense of who she is...

My name is Bree and I am a thirty year old two time cancer survivor;


While I was sixteen I was diagnosed with cervical cancer, they removed the tumor (not sure what type or grade) and almost half of my cervix. I was medically not able to bear children. (I am still in remission from this cancer, thank God)


Two years ago I was pregnant with my third child and during my anatomy scan the ultrasound tech found a tumor in my bladder.

It was diagnosed as a T1A Papillary Urothelial Carcinoma.

I had to have surgery to remove it, and I was unable to go through chemotherapy while I was pregnant. 

Fast forward to now, after being in remission for two years (and many CLEAR scheduled cystoscopes) the ugly C word reared its ugly head again.

The plan of action this time will be different than the last, I will have the surgery to remove it (Nov 19th) and then we will schedule to do (I’m not sure how aggressive) chemotherapy and possibly radiation. 


I am a stay at home mom, who is currently homeschooling my two oldest children (Awesome & Breeleigh). Cayzlee is my youngest and she is in the terrible two stage and is always giving me a run for my money. (She was born with 12 toes, 6 on each foot, she is unable to fit into any shoes so we are currently working on getting a custom made pair made. & our insurance won’t cover the whole cost. She is scheduled to have surgery to remove the extra toes and have her one foot completely reconstructed in about six months)


My husband works as a painter, he only makes 14.77 an hour and we live paycheck to paycheck. We are already kind of struggling financially, and with all my upcoming appointments my husband will have to take time unpaid, and with the holidays and birthdays coming up I can see myself getting in a rut and I really don’t want the stress of that on my shoulders along with everything else is going on. 


I feel like my life has been one bout of suffering after another with a little bit of bliss sprinkled throughout, so I hope whenever it is my time to leave this earth (no time soon) I find peace and comfort because I know in this life it’s almost unattainable. 


I am overwhelmed, I am fearful, I am anxious, I am sad, I am confused. I am every emotion all at once. 

It’s scary, you always hear about people my age  falling down the rough routine of cancer or any illness for that matter and end up not making it back up.


I lay in bed at night feeling defeated, and hope my kids know how much I love them, and hope my husband realizes through sickness and health that this is the sickness part, I know he loves me (we’ve been married eight years in December) but this Cancer is so detrimental to our lives and our relationship.


Irrational thoughts cloud my judgement to the point of no return. 


BUT 


I am hopeful, I am persistent, I am strong, I am a warrior and I have kicked cancers ass twice, and I fully intend on doing it again!