UH Seidman Cancer Center Gives Hope to Breast Cancer Patients

In 1990, Renee Bonner had a routine breast exam. Two days later, a breast cancer diagnosis changed her life forever. She remembers it like it was yesterday. Her immediate thoughts were of her husband and two children, only 8 and 13 at the time. “You don’t hear anything after that. All you hear is ‘cancer’ and then you’re thinking you’re going to die.”

As devastating as the news was, she says, “From that point on, we fought.” Today, thirty-three years later, with her loving family and the University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center team of experts by her side, Mrs. Bonner continues to win that fight.

Following a mastectomy, her treatment included years of chemotherapy treatments, radiation and a variety of medications. Under the care of Alberto Montero, MD, Director, Breast Cancer Program, UH Seidman Cancer Center, Diana Hyland Chair for Breast Cancer, Mrs. Bonner credits her doctors for the life-saving care she has received. “When I go to UH Seidman, I feel a sense of peace and confidence that my doctors will always take care of me. It makes me feel so comfortable.”

Today, Mrs. Bonner is doing very well. Her loved ones, including five beautiful grandchildren, keep her going. She undergoes chemotherapy a few times a month; her husband is able to attend all of her appointments and treatments, supporting her as he has done since the beginning. “My husband, family and friends have been so supportive during this entire experience. I could never thank them enough.”

While her journey has been long, Mrs. Bonner has remained positive and gives praise to UH Seidman Cancer Center and all the staff. Three decades later, Mrs. Bonner remains amazed by the high-quality care, compassionate bedside manner and dedication of UH personnel, medical and non-medical alike, who she says treat her like family. “I am so grateful for UH and their research, for my oncologists, my nurses, everyone. I can’t say enough. They are my village. The cancer has not gone away, but I work with it every day and they are by my side to help me.”