F- - K Cancer

December 2022: Five years and counting. Renee's journey continues, and she continues to fight with everything she has. We have shared a brief history, below. Many of you know her story, however. as was the case five years ago, we need her village to show up once again and help so she can focus on what's important the fight. Let's raise enough she will feel the love.

XO

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In 2017 Renee Pedro took an unwelcome journey, fighting Breast Cancer. As with everything Renee does, she managed the diagnosis and treatment with the fight, focus, and positivity. It wasn't easy. Aside from the anxiety and fear one would expect to face when given a cancer diagnosis, there was the added burden of worrying about how to keep a roof over her head and bills paid.

Being a small business owner, her company in its infancy, Crashpad Designs (https://www.crashpaddesigns.com) required all of Renee's time and energy. She quickly realized the reality, her energy and time would need to be spent fighting for her life and Crash Pad Designs would have to take a back seat. Being an entrepreneur is not easy especially when your business is 100% online, every day you miss sets the company back months.

Finally, 2 years out, as Renee was starting to feel like she was back on track, her worst nightmare came true. In May 2019, she felt a lump under her left armpit and the left side of her neck. After months of tests, scans, and biopsies, she finally received a new diagnosis: Metastatic ductal carcinoma, poorly differentiated. https://www.cancer.org/treatment/understanding-your-diagnosis/tests/understanding-your-pathology-report/breast-pathology/breast-cancer-pathology.html.

On October 10, 2019, Renee started her new journey- 8 cycles (16 weeks) of chemotherapy; Adriamycin, Cytoxan, and Taxol, commonly referred to as AC-T. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/treatment/chemotherapy-for-breast-cancer.html. After the chemotherapy and the tumors have shrunk, she will undergo a second surgery, an axillary dissection. Last, to offer the best possible outcome, she will have radiation.

Renee is determined to fight this. She is hopeful she can continue to work through her treatment. What she did not anticipate were all the side effects that go along with this treatment plan. What makes Crashpad Designs so unique is Renee's textiles are largely handmade by her. This requires hours of sewing in addition to managing the business, including the processing of orders, billing, and shipping. The reality of not being able to work breaks her heart but, more important, terrifies her. Renee should only need focus on fighting for her life. While continuing to work will be fantastic for her soul, having to work to keep food on the table and maintain her home is not something she should think about.

That is why we are sharing her gofundme with all of you. Every penny we can raise will help with all the fear and stress she is currently managing. It won't make cancer go away, but it will ease a little of her worry. Please help us reach, even exceed, our goal. Anything you can contribute will be a huge help. Please share this with all your friends and family. The more people we reach, the more magic we can make happen. Our efforts are not wasted on Renee. She will kick cancer's butt, and we can be a part of that journey with her, feeding her lots of energy and positive vibes. Please be a part of Team Renee!!!

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Renee's Story

February 14, 2020

by Rebecca Rivkin Czarkowski, Organizer

Happy Valentines Day!!! In keeping with celebrating those we love on this very special day, I thought it would only be reasonable to send out an update on Renee, who we all love very much!!!

Renee is scheduled for the next step in her treatment plan. Surgery, again, at the end of March. This is going to be a large surgery, including left-sided axillary/supraclavicular dissection and a right-sided mastectomy. In addition, there has been a discussion about removing a nodule in her neck, which is still being considered.

She has met with Radiology Oncology as the final step in her treatment plan will be radiation, but that is still many months away. When we cross that bridge I will be sure to update you all again.

As expected, Renee continues to fight hard, be positive, and try to perform the daily grind with as little disruption as possible. She will not be able to continue working through her surgical recovery, no surprise to any of us, so I think it is high time we circulate our gofundme to as many folks as we know. Let's try to get some cushion in the bank, so all she will need to do is worry about fighting this crap and not worrying about food or keeping the lights on.

Thank you all in advance for taking the time to share this with your friends and family. Continue to send love and good vibes Renee's way, and of course, VOTE!

February 1, 2020

by Rebecca Rivkin Czarkowski, Organizer

Renee made it through the first part of her journey, 8 cycles and 16 weeks of chemo. She was a perfect patient, did everything she had to, and made it to the other side. Renee has found courage and strength she probably never knew she had. Unfortunately, this journey ain’t over yet!

The next stop, surgery, and then radiation- for now, she gets a few weeks to regroup, then she will begin the next step in a very long treatment plan.

Let’s keep this going- old friends, new friends, and family- please share this with everyone and anyone you know. This Go Fund Me has allowed Renee to focus on what matters, fighting. It will not get easier for a bit, so anything we can do will make all the difference.

As we know more about the next treatment step, we will update you. Until then, please take a moment and share money and, more importantly, this fundraiser with all your friends and family!

October 25, 2019

by Rebecca Rivkin Czarkowski, Organizer

Hello everyone!! We wanted to provide an update.

Renee got through her first treatment very well. No complications or issues. She has been following a great symptom management plan and as a result, managed to feel really good these last two weeks. The fatigue is her only symptom and is causing great frustration for her.

Renee told me today she feels like she sleeps all the time. Yesterday was treatment #2. She had steroids and said how great last night was. She couldn't sleep, so she stayed up and worked most of the night!! As frustrating as it is, Renee knows how lucky she has been thus far.

Please continue to follow her journey and "Share" on your wall! Thank you all so much, for your good vibes-

XO