Supporting Jenn’s Stage IV Breast Cancer Fight

Jenn is a 39 year old wife and a mother of 3. She's a daughter, friend and volunteer. She has spent her entire life taking care of other people. At the age of 18, she got her EMT. Taking care of people in their time of crisis started Jenn's passion for healthcare. She has spent the last 15 years in various roles from urgent care, and internal medicine to her current role as a Trauma Registrar at the local trauma center . As you'll read, you'll see Jenn was recently diagnoses with Stage IV breast cancer. We, her friends are trying to help lighten the load on Jenn, Patrick and the kids. 

Her story starts in August of 2020. She was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor. She had been having issues with speech, language, and also having more migraines and vertigo than normal. A brain MRI revealed a 12 mm brain tumor. Luckily the brain tumor is benign and won't need to be removed unless it grows (next MRI in March 2021). Jenn is followed by Duke Neurosurgery for that.

As if a brain tumor wasn't enough, Jenn's family received a devastating diagnosis the beginning of February 2021. Jenn was diagnosed with not one but two types of metastatic breast cancer. She has Invasive Ductal Carnimona in SITU in one tumor. This tumor is 3cm and is a grade 1 (slow growing). This tumor is ER+, PR+, and HER2 (-). The second tumor is 6cm and is grade 3 (very aggressive and fast growing). This tumor os ER+, PR(-) and HER2 (+). At the time of biopsy the cancer had already spread to her lymph nodes. The original plan was to have a double mastectomy, lymph node removal, chemo and finally radiation. Jenn's case was reviewed with the tumor board at the cancer center in Lynchburg. Her medical oncologist, and surgeon decided that she should do chemo first to shrink the tumors. Jenn had her port placed on 2/22, and was supposed to start chemo no 2/24. Her oncologist called on 2/23 and said her chemo had been placed on hold pending further scans. The CT scans she had the week prior revealed lesions in her spine, and right hip. There are also spots on her sternum, manubrium, and 2 lung nodules that will have to be imaged further. The prognosis with bone metastasis isn't the best, but Jenn isn't giving up without a fight. Jenn's life long dream was to be a mom, and she isn't about to give up on that dream. 
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/breast-cancer/in-depth/breast-cancer/art-20045654 

Jenn was taken out of work the beginning of February in preparation for surgery, and chemo. She has not been able to work to help provide any income since her diagnosis. She and Patrick had just bought their dream home. They were too far into the closing process to back out when they were given this life changing news. While they are trying to enjoy their new house, and all of the fun things that come along with making a house a home, there's been a dark cloud placed over them since her diagnosis. Jenn and Patrick will travel to Philadelphia in March to see a specialist at Cancer Center's of America. They are hoping that CCOA will have options for her that aren't available locally. 

All of the funds raised here will go to pay for treatments, travel to and from appointments, and just helping Jenn and her family stay afloat while she is out of work.