Support Reina's Fight Against Breast Cancer
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Hello, my name is Reina. I am a 44-year-old California native, a modern Buddhist, nature enthusiast, preschool teacher, lover of music and recently I've added Breast Cancer warrior. On April 4th, 2025 I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma(ER+PR+HER2). This means cancerous cells originate in the milk ducts and invade the surrounding breast tissue.
You never think it can happen to you, until it does. A routine wellness exam on March 20th, 2025 turned into multiple doctor visits, a biopsy, an MRI, X-Ray and ultimately meeting with my surgeon who would help me make a plan to attack this cancer. He immediately told me I was a candidate for up front surgery. I waited for the hospital to set a date.
If you and I haven't had the pleasure of meeting, you may not know that I am a planner. I enjoy having a plan set and ready to go. So you can imagine how I felt when my Surgeon called me on May 19th and told me to prepare myself because the NEXT DAY at 12:30pm, I was going to have my surgery. I was not prepared emotionally, spiritually, physically or financially.
On the day of my surgery, the Doctor told me he was going to do a biopsy (in surgery) on my lymph nodes. This resulted in multiple lymph nodes being removed because he did find cancer in those cells.
That brings me to this moment.... I am here asking my community, friends and family for help. Cancer is a scary thing to live through but not being financially ready is equally as scary.
I am also someone who takes great pride in being a Preschool teacher. Having the opportunity to make a positive impact on my student's lives is beyond gratifying. Not being able to go back to work is devastating. My whole world has changed as of now. It looks like I will have to take about month off but my Oncology team told me that it may be longer if I have to under go Chemotherapy.
With your donations I will be able to:
- Pay my hospital co-pay(over 1,000)
- Pay Doctor co-pays
- Pay for medication
- Obtain Mental Health services
- Transportation to and from Dr. office (since I am not able to drive)
- Pay for Health Insurance cost($496 per month)
- Purchase Mastectomy Bras
- Get Genetic Testing
- Pay for additional Blood work
On Friday, May 30th, my 10 day follow-up appointment, I will find out if I will require additional procedures and Chemotherapy. At this time I have already had in-surgery biopsy, MRI, X-Ray, blood work and a single mastectomy.
If you've made it this far in my story...Thank you! This has been a hard time for me but the amount of support I have already received from my friends and family has been incredible. I am hopeful and doing everything I can to stay positive. Thank you for your love, support and prayers!
I can also take any direct donation to my Venmo account BURNQWEEN.
Organizer
Reina Jacques
Organizer
Glendora, CA