" I ' M THROUGH THE WORST AND READY TO REBUILD MY LIFE ."
Celebrating Resilience : Raquel ' s Remarkable Journey Through Breast Cancer Treatment
Raquel was 33 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer .
In April 2023 , she found a lump in her breast and was referred to the William N . Pennington Cancer Institute . After comprehensive imaging , Raquel was diagnosed with invasive lobular carcinoma , which is a type of breast cancer that begins in the milk-producing glands of the breast . Between June 2023 and January 2024 , she received a total mastectomy , chemotherapy and radiation at Renown .
“ It was a pretty scary diagnosis , but I ’ ve been led by great people through the process ,” she said . “ They were so helpful and there for me throughout chemo and radiation .”
Raquel ' s journey through breast cancer treatment at the William N . Pennington Cancer Institute was marked by the exceptional care provided by the Renown team , including nurses , nurse navigators , therapists , support teams and providers .
Among the dedicated professionals , Dr . Michelle Chu and Dr . Lee Schwartzberg played pivotal roles in Raquel ' s diagnosis and subsequent treatment plan . Their expertise , compassion and commitment to patient care left an indelible impact on Raquel ' s experience .
In addition to the care provided at Renown , Raquel greatly benefitted from being connected with a mentor by Dr . Chu . This mentor , Kayla , had undergone a similar diagnosis and treatment plan , and at the same age as Raquel . They texted and called each other throughout Raquel ’ s treatment , providing additional support through a challenging time .
Raquel completed her treatment in early 2024 and continues to see her care team for followup appointments .
“ I ’ m through the worst and ready to rebuild my life ,” Raquel said .
To help celebrate this milestone , Nevada Athletics invited Raquel to receive the game ball at a Nevada Men ’ s Basketball game . She was joined for this special recognition by her husband , Raul ; mother , Arlene ; and two daughters , Ryleigh and Rhiannon . Racquel ' s journey is not only a testament to her resilience but also a tribute to the invaluable contributions of Dr . Chu and Dr . Schwartzberg in guiding her toward triumph over breast cancer .
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