Help Jess Kick Cancer's Ass

Hi, I’m Jessie (Jess) Scheele. I’m 38, I live in Chicago, I love my life, and I recently found out that I have breast cancer.

I’m asking for financial support so I can get through the next 7-8 months of treatment without drowning in debt. Even with insurance, my out-of-pocket max is $7,000 this year, which I already hit, and I’ll hit it again in January. As a hairstylist, I’m an independent contractor, which means no paid time off or short-term disability. I’ll be out of work completely for 4-6 weeks post-surgery, and it’s unclear if I’ll be able to work during chemo — my job is physical and I won’t know how I’ll respond to chemo until I’m in it. The best-case scenario is working part-time.

Monthly bills are about $2,500. I don’t qualify for financial aid besides food stamps. Living in Chicago with no income feels impossible, so I’m asking for help.

Note: Other ways to help, including meal train, are at the bottom.

The Diagnosis

Things were going great in my life until one day in the spring, I noticed a marble-sized lump in my nipple area. I showed my doctor and was sent to get a mammogram/ultrasound on May 20th, the day my life changed. The doctor told me they would biopsy the lump and also a suspicious-looking lymph node, but they said not to worry, it could be anything. So I went home feeling a little worried, but trying not to. I was sent results in my portal that same day, which read “High chance of malignancy, BIRAD 5” (95% chance of cancer). I never thought I would see those words written down about me. I had to wait 9 days for a biopsy and another week for the results, which confirmed that I have breast cancer.

Those were hands down the worst two weeks of my life. Your mind just goes to the worst-case scenario. Did it spread? Am I going to die? What’s going to happen to my life? It’s all you think about. Any notification on your phone can be life-changing news, but it's probably just a DoorDash promo notification (I really need to turn those off).

I was diagnosed with Stage 2 HR+/HER- invasive ductal carcinoma. My tumor is small (less than 2 CM) and it has spread to a lymph node in my armpit. DNA testing was done and I do not have the breast cancer gene. Because breast cancer is becoming more common in younger people, I want to spread awareness about it. Catching it early can make it a lot better, and I am extremely lucky I found the tumor when I did.

The good news is that I have a positive prognosis: my cancer is growing slowly and not in the high-risk category. I am not scared of dying anymore. But what I am afraid of is the financial strain this is going to cause in my life.

Why I’m Fundraising

I'll be having surgery on July 15th (lumpectomy and lymph node removal). Then, I’ll be out of work for 4-6 weeks during recovery. Following that, I will start 3-4 months of chemo, then 4-6 weeks of radiation therapy. The end of treatment looks like the end of January or early February. The fun doesn’t stop there, since I’ll be receiving 5 years of monthly ovary-suppressing shots (I hate my ovaries, it's their fault this is happening). This entire journey will take approximately 9 months, from discovery to completion, so I am viewing it almost like a pregnancy timeline.

I love my job at Twisted Scissors–it’s the most women-empowering environment I have ever worked in! I am hoping to work at least part-time during chemo treatments, but that won’t be determined until I experience the chemo. I want to work, and I want to see my clients and my coworkers. I know it will brighten my life to be able to be there while I am going through this.

This is what you’d be supporting:

Anything you can give — big or small — makes a real difference.

More About Me

I love my life. Chicago has been good to me. I have excellent friends and family, a super awesome job at Twisted Scissors, an amazing partner, and a punk rock band I would like to be able to play with again one day. I have built a community in the nearly 15 years I have been here. I have overcome many hurdles in my life, especially the last 5 years. Completing college during COVID, a huge weight loss, getting sober (1.5 years baby!), years of crazy online dating hunting for my person, whom I was lucky to find last year, finally, and now I want to add this to my list: beating cancer!

I have a very positive attitude about this whole thing, and even a sense of humor (I will admit I'm considering my Halloween costume ideas for this unique year since I will be bald, just wait!). I refuse to sulk. I was told the waiting period of this whole experience was the worst, the unknowing, and I truly believe that. I have chosen my mantra during this experience: NO SULKING. I am not going to sit around and feel sorry for myself. I am going to get through this and remain positive. It’s fucking scary, but I know what lies on the other side: my life and my livelihood. Life is going to suck for a little bit, but I'll be back with ass-kicking powers.

I will be posting updates here. I am extremely comfortable talking about this. I want to see/talk to people when I can throughout this too, so don't be a stranger! Feel free to follow/contact me on Instagram as well: @jesswillcutyou (hair) @itseagleman (personal).

Other ways to help besides financially: signing up for the meal train and cleaning help (link below), sending goofy things that will make me laugh, phone calls, book recommendations, movie and show suggestions, arts/activities, and walking dates (I have to force myself to keep moving to stay strong when I can!)

Meal train and cleaning help click here

Thank you, and I'll be in touch soon.

Thank you for your support!

Jess