Jen as she battles breast cancer for the 2nd time

Jen is a dear friend of mine for over 24 years! Anyone who is lucky enough to know her knows she has a heart of gold. She is the friend who is there for you no matter what. She is a kind hearted, genuine, giving, dedicated, thoughtful mother, wife, friend, sister, woman, teacher..... and so much more!

She has not had an easy life. Nothing in her life was given to her. She has worked hard to have the life and family she has today. She has done so many good deeds to many and has not been dealt an easy deck of cards in this game of life. Yet she walks through life with grace and a smile on her face, no matter what!

In 2017, just after she celebrated her 41st birthday, she was shocked to be diagnosed with breast cancer. She also found out she was the only person in her family who was positive for the BRCA1 gene mutation. So she underwent a mastectomy. She quietly handled this like a champ! She never asked for anything during this time. She had multiple surgeries and recovered as a determined fighter who "beat cancer!" She thought after having a mastectomy she would not have to worry about things in her future. She went on to live and enjoy life and her 2 adolescent children. Well things changed a few months ago....

In March of this year, after celebrating a full 5 years being cancer free, she was unfortunately and very unexpectedly diagnosed again with breast cancer. This time, it was not as contained as it was the first time. No one expects to hear they have cancer. And definitely, no one ever expects to hear they have it again! She was quickly thrown from appointment to appointment, hearing she has the most aggressive and fast growing type of breast cancer. She would also learn that she needed to have the strongest (3 types) of chemotherapy for almost 6 months, multiple surgeries again, and a full course of 25 sessions of radiation.

Jen has dedicated her life to impacting young lives! She has been an elementary teacher for almost 20 years. She has given herself selflessly to many many children. She is a teacher who truly changes lives! All while going through all the tests and appointments in April, she was most concerned about missing important events for her students. She made sure to "show up" for her students- visiting them at baseball games and even planned and threw her class a pizza party as her good bye for this year while she started her chemo! She is truly a woman who does things from the kindness of her heart!

We all know teachers don't make much financially, but she always made sure to make her students have more than what they needed. And she does the same for her family and friends. We also all know, health insurance is not the same today. Even before she got her port inserted to begin her chemo, she spent over $2500 in out of pocket expenses on co pays for various diagnostic tests and appointments. She is also paying over $2500 for a "cool cap" system to try to lessen the dreaded effects of chemo. Her journey has just begun. The financial impact will be great to her family. She will receive her 2nd chemo treatment this week and her out of pocket expenses are already far more than her salary. Don't forget the missed days of work, the driving expenses for her many many appointments and necessary treatments, the many medical supplies and over the counter meds to help make her comfortable while enduring all this. It all add up...quickly! This will be a long road and really long year for her and her family. Financially, physically and emotionally.

Jen is someone who never asks for anything! In fact, in our 24 years of friendship, this is the first time she has actually accepted my offer for any kind of "help". She is not someone who asks for anything and especially financial help. But I was truly astonished to hear of all her unexpected expenses in just one month. And she has many more months to go! So please, however you can help is very much appreciated. Even sending money to cover a meal for her kids so she doesn't have to worry about cooking or sending what you would spend at starbucks for the day helps! Not just financially, but to show your love, care. and support to her as she fights this difficult battle! If life does not allow you to contribute financially, please feel free to contact me and I can give you other ideas to help.

Thank you for anything you can do to help. I know she and her family genuinely appreciates it all!

IG @lanimeansheaven

Venmo: @jennifer-rickette

Zelle: nine five four - [phone redacted]