1. can understand her feelings for the most part. I am currently agonizing over making my yearly mammogram appointment, it is just awful to go through the anxiety of it all. I have had numerous biopsies in the past and just keep praying every year as the time approaches for another clear one. I admire her bravery, and hope she has found peace with it all. She is very beautiful.

Posted at 10:12AM on Mar 13th 2007 by linda

2. I am encouraged that her surgery went well. I am scheduled to undergo a lateral mastectomy
w/reconstruction for non invasive cancer (as far as is known) in about ten days. I dread it, but it gives me the best chance to avoid an invasive recurrence. To every woman out there, don't skip that yearly mammogram. Make sure you go to a good breast center to have it done, even if it means traveling to another town. A mammogram is only as good as the radiologist who reads it.

Posted at 7:51PM on Mar 14th 2007 by dmd

3. Well, well well, censorship on the internet?

Since the story is about Renee Syler and she's not a one-dimensional figure but a real live person with more than one thing happening in her life, I guess my comments about her being "fired" from the Early Show are "relevant".

I miss seeing her on that show; and b/c she's no longer on the show, I choose to watch something else. Nothing is as enjoyable, however. She added a candor, warmth, sparkle and positive humor that made mornings a little brighter.

God bless you Renee! I wish you well in your recovery; and I'm looking forward to purchasing your book in April and seeing what you'll do next!

Take Care!

Posted at 9:43AM on Mar 15th 2007 by Ernie Hudson

4. I had the same procedure - profilactic double mastectomies 15 years ago at the age of 44 for the same reasons Renee did. My son was almost 5 - it was difficult conceiving him after secondary infertility & years of infertility treatment. I was not about to leave him motherless. He has been the joy of my life. I will never regret the decision to have this surgery. Watching my mother slowly die of breast cancer during 3 wrenching years, plus my own 3 biopsies & horrific fear of experiencing the same fate of my mother, my decision was difficult but eventually a huge, life changing, positive event.

No more mamograms, no more fears, no sagging breasts, here to enjoy my children - what more could I want?

Posted at 10:11PM on Mar 29th 2007 by Shar

5. continued success- your smile ms.rene worth more than a million dollars-again MAY ARMS OF COMFORT SURROUND US ALWAYS"

Posted at 9:25AM on Apr 2nd 2007 by udoxie

6. God Bless You Rene,
You are still a beautiful woman. Please continue to share your experience with women all over the world.

Goldsboro, North Carolina

Posted at 8:51AM on Apr 3rd 2007 by Teresa L. Jones

7. Rene,
I think you are a brave woman.From reading your story I think if I were in your shoes I would have made the same choice to have a double masectomy.
I have read excerpt of your book and enjoyed every line of it. God bless your husband Buff for sticking through it all with you.
Breast cancer does not run in my family but I had a friend that was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly after high school graduation and joing the military. She is no longer with us. I have another friend that has not had a mammogram in many years. She has some type of phobia about the mammogram procedure now. We are trying to convince her to get checked.

Goldsboro, North Carolina

Posted at 8:52AM on Apr 3rd 2007 by Teresa L. Jones

8. Renee is very brave and I hope GOD bless you with many years of happiness and success. I was sad to see you leave The Early Show. I hope to see you again soon "on the big screen" or hosting another show. You are a great inspiration to black females and I wish you a lot of luck!

Posted at 8:32PM on Apr 5th 2007 by Kay

9. Rene' I have really missed you on the CBS Morning show. I pray that God continue to guide and Bless you always.

Posted at 9:40AM on Apr 6th 2007 by Ms. Culbreath

10. I haven't read your book, but I have lived through it myself. I was 33 years old when I lost both of my breast. I was told for 4 years that there was nothing wrong, the mamograms saw nothing, but finally I went to the Doctors when I was bleeding from my nipples. They did an ultra sound and still saw nothing so they scheduled a exploratory surgery. That first surgery resulted in the removal of more than 30 cysts. Within the next month I had to have another surgery for a large mass that looked cancerous, and with in the following month another. The doctors then told me given my family history and the way my breast were changing I would be battling breast cancer and had to make a choice. I made the choice to live and remove my breast. I am a Mother of 3 beautiful boys. You made the right decision, so did I. I would do it again in a heart beat.
Carm

Posted at 8:49PM on Apr 6th 2007 by Carmen

11. "MAY ARMS OF COMFORT SURROUND US ALWAYS"

Posted at 10:05AM on Apr 7th 2007 by udoxie

12. I am currently facing the very same decision. It is so reasuring to see a happy result, after such an agnonizing decision. Thank you to the brave women who encourage others with similar issues. I can't imagine making this decision without their example! Linda

Posted at 11:52AM on Apr 7th 2007 by Linda

13. My mother is a 5 year survivor and as Renee I have had 2 surgeries in the past 2 years for calcifications. I had my 6 month check this week and it showed up again. Seeing her story is helping me to make the hard decision to have the surgery.

Posted at 2:09PM on Apr 12th 2007 by lvtwoqlt

14. After genetic testing revealed that I carried the BRCA-II gene, I also decided to have prophylactic bilateral mastectomies, and a complete hysterectomy, as this gene is high risk for breast and ovarian cancer. It was actually a very easy decision to make after losing so many people in my family to cancer. My message, however, is that my gene came from my father's side of the family, so don't listen to the old addage that it doesn't matter if it's not from mother's side! Genetic testing is very easy (if a little pricey), and the sure way to know. Be proactive about your health. I have alway told my children that my goal in life is to live long enough to be a burden to my children - now I'm on my way!!!

Posted at 9:35AM on Apr 13th 2007 by brenda

15. The other day my mother told me of your story. She had seen you on Oprah. She told me how courageous you were and how difficult the decision must have been for you to have a bilateral mastectomy. She is right of course, but now your worries of breast cancer are over. As my mother expounded on your bravery, I could`nt help but wonder if she thought my decision to have a bilateral mastectomy in Nov. 2005 due to cancer in both breasts was a hard decision to make. Thanks for letting me sound off a bit, because I can`t bring myself to sound off to her.

Posted at 3:24PM on Apr 16th 2007 by Judy Kolbaba

16. I did not see Renee on Oprah, but a co-worker suggested that I go to the archives and read about Renee. My mother battled breast cancer twice within a five year period. The first occurrence, she was diagnosed at Stage III. She was diagnosed at Stage IV at the second occurrence, and I'm sad to say that my mother passed away in June of 2006. In April 2006, my mother's sister was diagnosed with breast cancer at Stage IV, and she joined my mother in November 2006. Now, I have been told that I have calcifications present in both breasts along with several cysts. I recently had the BRAC test done and should have results in 2 - 3 weeks. Once I receive my results, I will be scheduled for a double mastectomy. And if my test results are positive for the BRAC gene, then I will schedule a hysterectomy once I have recovered from the first surgery. Renee's message has confirmed that my decision is a great decision...I choose to live for my children and grandchildren. Renee--God bless you and please continue speaking about this situation. Ordinary woman can not get the message out to others, but I believe your leaving the Early Show was the beginning of our crusade...Thanks for discussing your discussion with Oprah.....

Posted at 3:53PM on Apr 16th 2007 by Shelia

17. I did the same thing! I'm a mother of three and at the age of 36 I had a hhysterectomy followed by a double mastecomy after watching my aunt and mother both dying at 45 an 50. Too young. I am BRCA 2 positive. I have the gene for both breast and ovarian cancers. I might get hit by a car or something else, but I will not die from breast and ovarian cancers. At the age of 38 I feel great and I tell everyone what I have done because I'm here to tell it and I feel great!

Posted at 6:52PM on Apr 20th 2007 by Jennifer Evans

18. My sister-in-law gave me her copy of the recent People Magazine with Rene's article. I had a bilateral prophylactic mastectomy on December 29, 2007. After 4 biopsies for suspicious lumps, I was diagnosed with phyllodes tumors and LCIS in both breasts. I knew right away what I needed to do but I went through all of the "proper" channels. I received second opinions from oncologists, surgeons, my OB-GYN and my family doctor. The surgeons and oncologists all said that they could probably "cure" my cancer if it occurs. I chose not to give cancer much chance of happening. I have a good friend who had bilateral prophylactic mastectomy done about twelve years ago due to family history. She is still cancer free and has never regretted her decision. Kudos to you, Rene, and all women who opt to take charge of their own health. God Bless you all., Teresa

Posted at 4:08PM on Apr 22nd 2007 by Teresa Anderson

19. "MAY ARMS OF COMFORT SURROUND US ALWAYS"

Posted at 7:14AM on Dec 18th 2007 by udoxie