Help Renee Cancer Treatment

                                                             Phenomenal Woman

 

My name is Melanie Warner and I am writing this on behalf of my sister. My sister is a phenomenal human being and I want the world to know that. I can’t begin to express all that entails but I can give a little history as to why I feel the way I do about her. This is something that I would not usually do but because of the urgency of the situation I wanted to be of some help to her in some way since I myself can’t do it by myself.  I am hopeful that after I am done that you all can find it your hearts to help even if you’re not able to financially but all prayers are just as important. So I am thanking you in advance.

 

My sister’s name is Renee Inniss and she lives in Trinidad and Tobago, at the early of 35 she was diagnosed with breast cancer (2013). The summer of that year she had a mastectomy of the right breast, she did really well with her recovery and was released 2 days after surgery.  She kept an upbeat, positive attitude the entire time; there wasn’t a time that Renee didn’t have a smile on her face. She didn’t complain, she didn’t play the blame game… she just took the hand that was dealt and played it accordingly which in my eyes was perfectly.  A host of family, friends, and co-workers came to visit my sister both in and out of the hospital and they were all in amazement. They came not knowing what to expect but left with smiles on their faces because of her contagious smile and outgoing personality. I think she helped us as much, if not more than we helped her.  She healed and was back to the work force in no time. She came to visit me in October of 2013 and we had a great time. She looked great, felt great and we really enjoyed each other’s company.  A week after she went home she got ill and there was a virus that was going around at the time which is what we originally thought she contracted. She went to and from doctors visits but she wasn’t getting any better. Medicines weren’t working and she had severe loss of weight among other things. She went for a follow up visit for her breast but passed out and was ultimately admitted that day. She began to experience weakness in her limbs. Upon obtaining a CT scan, she was told that she had a tumor on her brain The news was devastating after we all felt like we just got over the breast cancer hurdle.  My sister had to wait for a while before the surgery was done but while she was in the hospital and got worse. Renee being the person she is didn’t let her circumstances stop her from helping anyone else. To our surprise, she was also caring for her other roommates when they needed help.  She would go sit and keep them company at their bedside. She helped a blind patient with her meals. She helped with whatever was asked for as long as she could before she lost all feelings in her arm and leg.  She was told she had a 50/50 chance of survival but with prayers flowing in from soooo many people and her strong faith in God, she wasn’t letting the numbers shake her spirit.  She called me the day before surgery. I comforted her the best I could and by the end of the conversation she said, “I am going to get some sleep… I am ready to fight and win yet another battle!” and that she did. My parents called me a few hours after surgery and said she was sitting up and talking and laughing and all I could do being so far away is cry because that is so like her and I wasn’t expecting anything less. The surgery was successful and though the tumor was cancerous they got it all.  Unfortunately the fight is not over.

Today is 5/21/2015. My sister finally went back to work about 2 months ago, she began having seizures that was responding well to treatment until recently. Within the last two weeks, her right leg and arm started feeling heavy to the point of her dragging her right leg and barely able to use the right arm/hand.  Because of the way things work within the medical system in Trinidad, my sister had to pay out of pocket to have another CT scan and MRI done, her prescriptions and other Dr’s visits. So far she has paid over 10,000 dollars (Trinidad and Tobago currency). The CT and MRI confirmed 4 more tumors on her brain, one of which has to be surgically removed. They are hoping the other tumors will be eliminated by radiation. The surgery has to be done privately and will cost approximately $123,000TT. Her insurance will only cover a small percentage and she will have the balance to pay. The reason this may have to be done privately is because the public hospital ICU's are over packed and will delay the surgery date. Time is of the essence to her successful recovery. We do not have that kind of time.  My sister is in very good spirits, SMILING her awesome smile and keeping it moving. She is not letting this get the best of her again has come to terms with the situation. She is positive and over flowing with faith. We are very hopeful that the surgery will happen within the next 1-2weeks. So again if you are able any contribution would be greatly appreciated and if you can’t we understand but please keep her in your prayers.

 

Melanie and the family