Raynette Richards
Breast Cancer Fighter
“My name is Raynette Cameron Richards born in St. Thomas, USVI with very strong ties to Tortola, BVI. I am a stage III breast cancer thriver and here is my story —
Diagnosis
I turned 40 on November 30, 2011 and prepared myself for my first mammogram which I scheduled for January 2012. A few days after my mammogram they called to say I had to come back because they saw something on the right side. The anxiety set in immediately, but I went back to redo the test. The results came back clear.
Fast forward to August 28, 2012 while watching one of my favorite shows, I realized that I could not get comfortable in the chair. I decided to go to my bedroom for a pillow and while passing the mirror I could see what appeared to be a "bump" on my left collar bone. I called out to my mother to show her the bump and she said: "take a Tylenol and go lay down".
The next day I called my doctor because just two weeks before, I had gotten a "clean bill of health " from my well woman annual exam. My doctor asked if I fell or lifted something heavy and I said no. In September, I had a series of tests to figure out what the bump could be, during which time it continued to grow and hurt.
On October 2, 2012 I received a call from my doctor's nurse saying that my results were in and to drop by the office when I had a chance. I remember this day very vividly I was sitting in the doctor's room for what seemed like an eternity, which has never happened before, but I waited. When she walked in the room and I looked up I saw that she was crying and the first thought I had was that something was wrong with her husband or parents. When she finally spoke, she said, "Raynette it's not good, it's cancer". I looked at her like she was speaking a different language. She sat next to me and asked if I wanted her to call my mother and I told her "no, I will". I called my mother and the only thing I could say was "mommy". She arrived at the doctor's office a few minutes later. We all sat there crying and my doctor said "you are not staying on island". I told her of my plans to leave in two days for Florida and she got into action making appointments at the Cleveland clinic.
Treatment Journey
October and half of November 2012 was spent having NUMEROUS tests at the Cleveland Clinic, some of which I would not wish on my worst enemy! By now my diagnosis was stage III breast cancer and the treatment plan would take two years according to the oncologist. She did not make me feel comfortable. I decided, with the encouragement from my father, to come to Louisiana. My mother came back to St. Thomas and I headed to Louisiana.
I arrived in Louisiana on Sunday, November 25, 2012 and I met with the oncologist assigned to me first thing on Monday. I watched her face as she reviewed the records from St. Thomas and Florida. The look she had was shock, shock that this was going on so long and shock that the cancer had not spread to other areas. They scheduled me to have my port implanted on November 30, which was my 41st birthday and was only four days after meeting this new oncologist.
My first chemo treatment was the following week on December 5 and lasted eight hours! Four days after I lost my hair. I endured five more hard chemotherapy rounds made up of four different drugs that I would call "cocktail parties". Halfway through they wanted to be sure that the tumor was getting small enough for surgery and then they advised me that they would have to remove my left breast. I told them to remove both. I was asked repeatedly if I was sure — and I asked if I could sign something so they would not have to ask again.
They gave me a month and a half break after my “cocktail parties” were complete and on May 2, 2013 I had a bilateral mastectomy and suffered a "code blue" episode after the surgery. Once I was revived, I was taken back to surgery. Miraculously, I was released from the hospital the next afternoon!
The next phase was radiation — and I was scheduled to do 28 rounds starting June 2012. This phase for me was the worst, because it took a serious toll both emotionally and physically. I suffered severe burns and they allowed me to skip the last two rounds. I "only" did 26 rounds by the end. I was more than ready to come back home by then, but I had to wait to be released in order to book my return ticket.
At the meeting with the head of the “Dream Team,” which is what I called my team of four doctors — she said something they never mentioned before — "We did not think you were going to make it.” Those words really resonated and made me realize that I had been in a battle for my life!
On August 28, 2013, I returned home bringing my journey full circle!
Living through Cancer & Support
Through my cancer journey, I was able to work remotely, which was a blessing indeed, but having insurance didn’t mean that did not have a balance with the facilities once I left Louisiana. I got payment plans with my creditors and worked it out over the years following.
Through everything my family was my ROCK! They were truly my backbone and supported me the whole way.
Cancer Support VI was very helpful when they reimbursed a hotel stay while traveling for treatment. My experience with Cancer Support VI was a good and stress-free process. What they bring to the people in our community is a sense of calm with financial assistance.
Final Thoughts & Encouragement
As I celebrate my seven year “Cancerviary” I want to leave you with these words of encouragement — cancer is not a death sentence! "No tears, just prayers, ‘cause God got this."
Early detection and ACTION save lives, continue to do your breast self-exams, your annual mammogram and annual physicals!
You can help us assist more people like Raynette. Your donation can go towards providing life saving treatment or follow up care for Virgin Islanders impacted by cancer.