Jennifer Lipowski’s Cancer Treatment

Update 9/22:

 Jennifer has had a very rough couple of weeks to put it lightly. While they were able to get the feeding tube in, home health did not come until days later (should have been the same day as surgery). Because it was not flushed, this resulted in the home health nurse being unable to get anything through the G-tube. Home health basically told her she’d either have to wait several days to see the doctor since it was a holiday weekend or got to the ER. She went to the ER and after being there for several hours was told they couldn’t find the tool needed and was sent home because per the doctor at the hospital, this was not an emergency. This was so disheartening. The next day a friend of Jennifer’s who has a special needs child and experience with feeding tubes insisted she come over and try to unclog the G-tube. She succeeded! Jennifer was able to start getting some nutrition like this for several days. Even though the nourish was still difficult to push through, she was able to get aminos which helped provide protein she desperately needs but she still needed more so she recently had a picc line placed so she could start TPN. That has helped with her energy level but she is still in a tremendous amount of pain. The continual need for her abdominal and chest cavities to be drained (thoracentesis and paracentesis) has caused a lot of discomfort and shortness of breath. This is not only in uncomfortable but very scary which results in a lot of anxiety. She decided to have permanent drains put in so she is able to do the drains from home. This procedure was done today and was pretty painful but successful. Nights seem to be the worst in terms of pain and discomfort. There have been a couple that looked as though the outcome would not be what we have all hoped and prayed for but despite all of the setbacks she is still fighting hard! She is currently on 2-3 fentanyl patches at a time plus hydrocodone/oxycodone for breakthrough pain. She has decided to stop the current cancer treatment (injections/pills) and start back on the peptides along with some high dose IV therapies that the oncologist at Block Center in Chicago has recommended to hopefully help inhibit the tumor growth and reduce tumor markers. These treatments are not covered by insurance but the peptides have been extremely successful for her in the past so everything that has been and continues to be donated is unbelievably helpful and so very appreciated! Most importantly, please continue covering her with all of the love and prayers! In Jennifer’s words “Wouldn’t it be a miracle if I can pull through this just one more time!” She truly is a walking miracle so of course, we continue to believe in them.


Update 8/30:

They were able to get the feeding tube in today which is a big success. Home health will be going to see her tomorrow to show her how to use it.  She can also eat and swallow soft foods. This is all going to play a vital role in getting her body strong enough to continue treating the cancer.  Please keep the prayers coming! 


Update 8/28: 

Today was a pretty rough day for Jennifer between the chest drain, abdominal drain, and a colonoscopy. The colonoscopy was successful in the sense that they were able to see what they needed to see. Most importantly, she is excited about her G-tube placement surgery which is scheduled for Wednesday morning at 10am. If that doesn’t not work she’s going to insist on TPN via a picc line. The physician who attempted the surgery said there is a risk of infection but she’s willing to take that risk vs. the alternative of not having enough nutrition to survive. She’s exhausted but still has her determined spirit.  Please continue to be in prayer over her and each of the challenges she is currently facing.


Update 8/25: 

Jennifer’s physician who has been performing her Paracentesis and Thoracentesis is not giving up on the feeding tube. They are hoping if she can get some puréed food down then they may be able to get something down there to provide the nourishment her body needs right now. She’s been in communication with the oncologist in Chicago and as of right now, the plan is for her to start back on the peptides which will hopefully shrink the tumors pressing on her esophagus causing the stricture. There is also a pill component that goes along with the peptides which is costly (none of this is covered by insurance). This was a big part of her success before and because of these donations, she will be able to add this to her protocol. Please continue praying for nourishment and healing!



Hi friends, Anyone who knows Jennifer knows her by her courage, strength, resilience, persistence, and absolute love for life! She has fought cancer harder and in more ways over the past 8 years than anyone I have ever seen. She is now in a fight for her life for the third time and needs treatment in Chicago at Block Center for Integrative Cancer Treatment. Unfortunately, the treatment is only partially covered by insurance and the part that is not covered plays a vital role in her chances of survival. Travel expenses and treatments costs are taxing and while she would never ask for anything from anyone, she wants to live more than anything. There is no amount too small. I know every donation will be unbelievably appreciated. If you are not familiar with Jen’s Story please continue reading….

In 2015, Jennifer was diagnosed with Stage 3C Invasive Lobular breast cancer. By the time of Jennifer’ diagnosis, the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes. Jennifer underwent a double mastectomy and lymph node removal surgery as well as numerous reconstructive surgeries that included some unexpected complications. Jennifer had 16 rounds of very difficult chemotherapy over an 8 month period. After that she was declared cancer free. In hopes to remain cancer free, Jennifer decided to decline radiation and other drug treatments that had uncomfortable and difficult side effects and went down a holistic path which afforded her a great quality of life for quite some time.

 Fast forward to 2019 when she began having trouble eating, it was discovered that the original breast cancer metastasized to her bones, her stomach, her brain, and her blood. After much thought, consideration, and research, Jennifer decided to try some out of the box treatments that did shrink and ultimately got rid of the stomach tumor and the cancer in the bones and to this day healed the lesions in her brain. While all of this was exciting these treatments were not covered by insurance and were extremely expensive but was a major priority for her and her family and it paid off. Through hard work and determination Jennifer beat the odds and was on her way to being cancer free! To document her personal journey, Jennifer set up an Instagram account @jenny_lipowski_ This has become a great platform where thousands of people faced with their own cancer battle or other chronic illnesses were able to learn of a different way to heal or just improve their quality of life through diet and lifestyle changes.

 Fast forward to recent, devastatingly Jennifer was presented with round three of a new cancer challenge. She was diagnosed with returned tumors to numerous bones including her spine as well as countless tumors on her skin all over her body. There is also cancer in the esophagus, small intestine, rectum, and lymphatic system. She is suffering from ascites in her chest and peritoneal cavity, which she has to have drained weekly, and sometimes biweekly. She is counting it as a blessing that her major organs do not show cancer so she can handle gearing up for a fight to rid her body of cancer once again.

 As of August 21, 2023 Jennifer was scheduled to have surgery to get a feeding tube placed so she can get her strength back up. On August 22, 2023 they attempted to place the feeding tube unsuccessfully due to the ascites in her peritoneal cavity. She is struggling with malnutrition due to the tumors pressing on her esophagus creating a stricture where food cannot pass and she is weighing only 86lbs. She needs to get to Chicago for treatment as soon as possible.

 Jennifer’s love for her girls and her husband Erik has her laser-focused on beating this again but battling cancer since 2015 has been difficult on her and her family since the majority of Jennifer’s treatment is not covered by insurance. Up until now they have been able to do what is needed to get her treatment covered. While some of her treatment is covered by insurance the majority of what she will need for a full recovery is not.