Renee

Following a lumpectomy and 35 rounds of radiation for carcinoma in situ when she was 50 years old, Renee felt confident her breast cancer would never come back.

So, when she received a phone call from the clinic following a routine mammogram in spring of 2021, Renee didn’t call back right away. “It had been 11 years since my original cancer diagnosis, and I didn’t really take it seriously,” she shrugged. But when she finally returned for an ultrasound and biopsy, it was confirmed that Renee had an aggressive triple negative breast cancer—in the same breast as before.

The battle resumes

Renee says she was in disbelief at first, but once she came to terms with the reality of her situation, she got to work with her care team at the Cancer Center of Western Wisconsin (CCWW) in St. Croix Falls.

“Receiving treatment in St. Croix Falls meant I could receive treatments on my lunch break,” she said. “For some reason, my body has a high resilience to chemo, so I didn’t get sick at all. But still, sitting in that chair is not easy,” she admitted. “My health care team brought me a blanket, hot chocolate, games—it was a whole basket of stuff!”

Renee had infusions every two weeks. In fall of 2021, “I rang the bell for my last infusion” she said. “It’s a loud bell, and I was timid. The nurses told me to not be shy. They said, ‘RING IT!’”

The following month, Renee had a double mastectomy, followed by a regimen of oral chemotherapy.

A second opinion on first-rate care

“After my diagnosis in 2021, my family was so worried and thought a second opinion was in order,” said Renee. “The care provider I met with looked everything over and confirmed that they would not change a thing. St. Croix Falls was doing everything to the letter. It was so reassuring to know I was getting the best quality care!”

CCWW’s reputation is built on world-class medical expertise and state-of-the-art facilities, taken to the next level through trusting relationships. “My nurse practitioner is like family,” Renee said. “When I found a lump 18 months ago, I messaged her, and she got me in right away for a sonogram and biopsy. The team took my concern very seriously. Within days, I learned it was a fatty cyst—a non-issue. That’s what small town care looks like.”

The power of a sunny outlook

Renee decided to retire two years earlier than planned. She said it was a reach for her, but she went for it. “My theme song is ‘Here Comes the Sun,’” she said brightly. “I am so blessed. I was in the right place at the right time with the right care team. I’ve learned through this experience to never take anything for granted.”