Hi friends and family,

As many of you now know, I’ve recently been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer. While we’ve already shared the news publicly, I wanted to give more context and ask for your support as we begin this incredibly difficult journey.

Around Thanksgiving and Christmas, I started noticing changes in my body. I assumed it was just part of being in my 40s - maybe even the start of perimenopause. But after months of symptoms getting worse instead of better, I went in for a routine women’s wellness appointment.

That’s when everything changed.

After my exam, my OB delivered the shocking news: I have cancer.

In the weeks since, we’ve learned that I have a very rare and aggressive form called neuroendocrine cervical cancer. It’s so uncommon that it wouldn’t have been caught through regular preventative checkups. After undergoing MRI and CT imaging, we now know that there is a large mass throughout my pelvic area and a smaller mass around my right ovary. The initial fear was that the cancer had spread to or even perforated my bladder. While the imaging was inconclusive, considering how I'm still able to function day-to-day, that concern has been greatly reduced, which is a huge relief. We'll know more as chemo continues and we do more imaging. However, because the cancer is located in more than one place, it is considered Stage 4.

Because of how advanced and aggressive this cancer is, surgery is not currently an option. We’ve started chemotherapy to fight it as best we can. I will be going through at least 6 cycles of chemo over the next several months.

To be honest, the last few weeks have been incredibly difficult. I’ve been in a lot of pain, am bleeding heavily, and have even had a couple of fainting episodes. Shortly after I wrote my first update on social media, my blood levels dropped so low that I was admitted into the hospital - and that’s where we started my first round of chemo.

Emotionally, we’re all trying to cope in our own ways. I’m handling it quietly. Jeff’s processing it loudly. And Michael is doing his best to manage through avoidance. None of us were prepared for this.

As you can imagine, the road ahead is going to be long, painful, and expensive. Medical costs, hospital stays, treatments, and time away from work are already beginning to add up. Your support - whether financial, emotional, or spiritual - means more than I can express.

If you're able, please consider donating to help with treatment and recovery expenses, and keep our family in your prayers. We’ll continue to post updates as we know more.

With love and gratitude,

Jen