Jenn's Cancer / Bipolar Fight
Donation protected
My 35 year old daughter, Jennifer Harris, is battling bipolar depression and breast cancer. The past year has been very trying for her and for her family. This is a long story but, in order to understand how she arrived here, it needs to be told. Jenn was working a great job supporting her family while her husband was a stay at home dad for their four beautiful little boys, ages 11, 8, 5, and 4. She has always battled with depression but life was good, they were living the dream. Then in August 2015, she began having panic attacks and insomnia. She saw her primary care physcian (PCP) who prescribed medication to hopefully alleviate the panic attacks and help her sleep. Unfortunately, these medications did not help. They tried out different meds but to no avail. On September 22nd she had a mental breakdown. She needed to see a psychiatrist but, as some of you may know, they are not easy to get an appointment with. She went on FMLA (which means no pay) and the family had to rely on their savings. In November, she finally met with a psychiatrist who diagnosed her with bipolar 1 disorder. He naturally prescribed different medications than what her PCP prescribed. She was not happy with the meds he prescribed as she began having suicidal ideation, psychosis, and her insomnia worsened. When she voiced her concerns to the psychiatrist she was told to stick with the meds - things will get better. Nothing got better, things actually got worse. By December 3rd, she was in the hospital due to the suicidal thoughts, insomnia, and psychosis. Her medications were changed again. Due to insurance practices, she was released after one week. At this point, she was in a manic state.
Since she did not connect with her first psychiatrist, she found a new one. But again, she had to wait - until April 26th.
Her husband, Cory, went to work in December but was not making as much as Jenn did.
In January, her employer wanted her to return to work but Jenn was not in a good place to be effective in her job. Much to her dismay, she had to resign.
Also in January, one of the medications caused the onset of metabolic syndrome and within three weeks, Jenn gained 30 pounds. The medication could not be changed until she could see her new psychiatrist. Fortunately, her PCP keeps close tabs on her. The PCP spoke with the new psychiatrist and was able to change the medication that was causing the weight gain.
Between January and April, Jenn felt so debilitated, she had huge swings between mania and depression. She was unable to care for herself (she stopped bathing, exercising, and caring), she couldn't drive, and she needed help with the children while Cory worked. Through all this Cory maintained the household by doing laundry, cooking, cleaning and tending to the boys basic needs.
Jenn met with her new psychiatrist on April 26th. Her meds were changed again but Jenn still struggled. By mid to end of May, Jenn's only thought was suicide. She made a plan, knew exactly how and where she was going to do it. She even planned her funeral. She thought her family would be better off without her. On May 18th, Jennifer entered the hospital again and spent nine days in a behavioral unit. Some of her meds were changed, some meds were added. She was still depressed upon release but was in a better place than when she went in.
I live in upstate New York and she lives in Virginia. As her mother, it is terrifying being so far away. I came for two weeks. I visited her every day while she was in the hospital and stayed an extra week while she was recovering. I went home for a week and decided I really needed to be with her. I have been with her and her family since.
On June 16th, in my second week here, Jenn's world changed again. She was diagnosed with breast cancer. She has a large mass in her right breast. She had four areas biopsied on June 17th. We met with an oncologist and surgeon on June 21st. It is an agressive form of invasive ductal and lobular cancer. On July 1st, she had surgery to have her chemo port installed. On July 5th, she had her first chemo treatment.
She was so sick from that first treatment. She was bedridden for three days. By the fourth day she felt better but was still wanting to sleep. Her next treatment is July 19th. I will not be here then. I have to go back home to go to work. Starting August 16th she will have chemo weekly for three months. The next step after that is a mastectomy.
So not only is she trying to recover from her bipolar depression, she is dealing with the cancer diagnosis. She was tired before, now she is even more tired. This hard working young woman, husband and four young boys are realing from all that has happened in the last almost year. Any kind of assistance will be gratefully appreciated. Her husband's family in Virginia is working on a Meal Train through December which will be so helpful. My family, scattered all over the country, is also contributing.
Jenn's father and I are doing all we can to help as well. Jenn and Cory were just making ends meet before the cancer diagnosis. They already have over $2,000 in medical bills and that will only increase. Their vehicle needs a timing belt. She needs gas to drive to all her appointments that are an hour away. She will continue to see her PCP, her psychologist, and psychiatrist, but in addition will also see her oncologist, surgeon, and go for chemo treatments. She needs someone to drive her to the appointments. She needs someone to take care of the boys while she is at the appointments and when she is sick and can't get out of bed. School will be starting soon with the required school supplies and clothes. The need is great.
Jenn and Cory would never ask for themselves. I am asking so my baby girl and her husband can focus on her getting healthy and not have to focus on their soon to be overdrated bank account.
As her mother, I will be eternally grateful that people thought enough of this young family to assist them in their time of need. One of my children already died, another loss of this magnitude would tear down my soul!
Thank you for reading and for donating!
Since she did not connect with her first psychiatrist, she found a new one. But again, she had to wait - until April 26th.
Her husband, Cory, went to work in December but was not making as much as Jenn did.
In January, her employer wanted her to return to work but Jenn was not in a good place to be effective in her job. Much to her dismay, she had to resign.
Also in January, one of the medications caused the onset of metabolic syndrome and within three weeks, Jenn gained 30 pounds. The medication could not be changed until she could see her new psychiatrist. Fortunately, her PCP keeps close tabs on her. The PCP spoke with the new psychiatrist and was able to change the medication that was causing the weight gain.
Between January and April, Jenn felt so debilitated, she had huge swings between mania and depression. She was unable to care for herself (she stopped bathing, exercising, and caring), she couldn't drive, and she needed help with the children while Cory worked. Through all this Cory maintained the household by doing laundry, cooking, cleaning and tending to the boys basic needs.
Jenn met with her new psychiatrist on April 26th. Her meds were changed again but Jenn still struggled. By mid to end of May, Jenn's only thought was suicide. She made a plan, knew exactly how and where she was going to do it. She even planned her funeral. She thought her family would be better off without her. On May 18th, Jennifer entered the hospital again and spent nine days in a behavioral unit. Some of her meds were changed, some meds were added. She was still depressed upon release but was in a better place than when she went in.
I live in upstate New York and she lives in Virginia. As her mother, it is terrifying being so far away. I came for two weeks. I visited her every day while she was in the hospital and stayed an extra week while she was recovering. I went home for a week and decided I really needed to be with her. I have been with her and her family since.
On June 16th, in my second week here, Jenn's world changed again. She was diagnosed with breast cancer. She has a large mass in her right breast. She had four areas biopsied on June 17th. We met with an oncologist and surgeon on June 21st. It is an agressive form of invasive ductal and lobular cancer. On July 1st, she had surgery to have her chemo port installed. On July 5th, she had her first chemo treatment.
She was so sick from that first treatment. She was bedridden for three days. By the fourth day she felt better but was still wanting to sleep. Her next treatment is July 19th. I will not be here then. I have to go back home to go to work. Starting August 16th she will have chemo weekly for three months. The next step after that is a mastectomy.
So not only is she trying to recover from her bipolar depression, she is dealing with the cancer diagnosis. She was tired before, now she is even more tired. This hard working young woman, husband and four young boys are realing from all that has happened in the last almost year. Any kind of assistance will be gratefully appreciated. Her husband's family in Virginia is working on a Meal Train through December which will be so helpful. My family, scattered all over the country, is also contributing.
Jenn's father and I are doing all we can to help as well. Jenn and Cory were just making ends meet before the cancer diagnosis. They already have over $2,000 in medical bills and that will only increase. Their vehicle needs a timing belt. She needs gas to drive to all her appointments that are an hour away. She will continue to see her PCP, her psychologist, and psychiatrist, but in addition will also see her oncologist, surgeon, and go for chemo treatments. She needs someone to drive her to the appointments. She needs someone to take care of the boys while she is at the appointments and when she is sick and can't get out of bed. School will be starting soon with the required school supplies and clothes. The need is great.
Jenn and Cory would never ask for themselves. I am asking so my baby girl and her husband can focus on her getting healthy and not have to focus on their soon to be overdrated bank account.
As her mother, I will be eternally grateful that people thought enough of this young family to assist them in their time of need. One of my children already died, another loss of this magnitude would tear down my soul!
Thank you for reading and for donating!
Organizer and beneficiary
Beth Reed
Organizer
Gloucester Courthouse, VA
Jennifer Harris
Beneficiary