Help Jen and her Family on the road to recovery

Hello. Our names are Deb and Ariel, and we are good friends with Jen Durgin and her family - Christian, Geneva and Sam.

 

For those who are not familiar with Jen's recent life changing event.... On Sunday, September 26th, Jen experienced two major seizures resulting in a trip to the ER. An MRI revealed a brain tumor in her left frontal lobe, very near her language/word retrieval and emotional regulation centers. She underwent surgery on October 1st, at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, under the care of a gifted medical team. The surgery went as hoped, and they were able to remove approximately 80% of the tumor. Jen has returned home and is spending quality time with family, taking some needed naps, getting outside for some fresh air and sunshine and letting her brain heal. She will soon begin the next phase of treatment- chemotherapy and radiation. As Christian said, "The journey is only beginning."

 

With this journey, roles have needed to shift – Jen has temporarily put a hold on her career at Dartmouth Medical School / D-H, Christian and the kids are supporting Jen, and Christian has taken over the household management. He left his teaching position at the end of last school year to focus on obtaining his Masters degree in Mental Health Counseling, and this semester is working as a counseling intern at Colby Sawyer College. In order to supplement the family income while in school, he was also working as a waiter in the evenings. He is continuing with his education but has put work on hold for the time being to support Jen and the kids with daily needs.

 

Jen and Christian are very strong, independent and humble people, and we know they would not feel comfortable asking for monetary donations, so Ariel and I are asking on their behalf. Our hope is that Christian can continue to provide Jen with loving care and attention, spend time with the kids - and earn his degree - without needing to return to night shifts at the restaurant. Obtaining his degree will enable him to financially support his family in the near future with his new career.

 

Donations would help pay for services to relieve Christian of some of the household chores, such as cleaning, laundry, running errands and meal preparation assistance. They will also help provide for basic needs in the near future.

 

The outpouring of offers to help the family shows how much Jen is loved. We hope that this outlet of support can ease some financial stress they may be feeling and give others a chance to help in a meaningful way.

 

We will keep you updated as Jen’s journey progresses over the next months.

 

Thank you so much!