Falls Superintendent Diagnosed With Breast Cancer

The Menomonee Falls School District's newest Superintendent Patricia Greco was diagonsed with breast cancer Wednesday.

Greco sent an email to staff and the media Thursday explaining her current circumstances. She is working with doctors to schedule surgery and a treatment plan. Greco said she plans to continue working in the district as she battles cancer.

Greco replaced former superintendent Keith Marty in June after serving as superintendent in the West Bend Joint School District. Greco, formerly Herdrich, recently married Joe Greco Jr., whose father was former Village President Joe Greco.

Here is the email she sent Thursday:

Dear Colleagues:

I wanted to share a personal update directly.

I know we are just starting to get to know one another, but I believe strongly in sharing information directly; good or bad.  My goal is to share the accurate information rather than have the rumor mill make a situation more than it is.

With that as the backdrop, this news is not what I would hope to share.  I was diagnosed yesterday with breast cancer.

My family history is extensive with cancer.  As a precaution, I have been monitored for many years.  The good news is, it has been caught early.  The area impacted is a small area along the chest wall.  I will have a lump removed and it will need radiation.  Further treatments will not be known until after the surgery itself.

Know that I am deeply appreciative of the support and talent of the leadership team, the board and staff we have.

I do process better if we can keep things moving forward on all fronts. I am better at work than sitting at home; so I will be here, I will be open about it, I will keep my head together. Know also that I will be open with the media. Again, I function better with direct communication and always have so this will be no different.

My life is crazy like this. I don't know if I am cursed or have a huge guardian angel in my corner, or both.  If life can be complicated; it has been, but at the same time I have always landed in a better place in the end. So, having said that, I am fully anticipating that this too will end up that way as well.

I have an amazing family, an amazing job in a great community and remarkable people to work with. I am truly fortunate in many ways.

I was diagnosed yesterday (Wednesday).  Joe and I meet with the surgeon tomorrow (Friday) at Froedtert. They will schedule the surgery and radiation treatment plan. We will keep everyone posted.

I deeply appreciate the support and the strong sense of team that is developing.  Our leadership team is remarkably strong.  I am fully confident that we will continue to work in a manner that prepares our students, our staff and our community well for the expectations ahead. And we will enjoy working together through the process.

This will be added on my life list of among the hard things being solved.

Sincerely,

Pat Greco