Please help Jennifer through her cancer treatment journey

In the spring of 2023, our sweet Jennifer started experiencing loss of sight in her right eye. Her doctor believed that Jennifer needed a lens replacement as a follow up to PRK (a sight correction procedure) performed years ago. She was prescribed a single contact lens to help her see/drive safely until a procedure could be performed. Over the next several months, Jennifer’s sight continued to decline along with additional symptoms of extreme pressure, pain, and bulging of her eye.

Jennifer was referred to a number of eye specialists and several tests and scans were performed. The results showed an eyeball-sized tumor behind her right eye. The tumor was believed to be benign, and the decision was made to remove it to improve Jennifer’s quality of life. An anticipated one-hour surgery turned into a five-hour, complex surgery. There was difficulty removing the tumor, due to its close proximity to Jennifer’s optic nerve and also because of how integrated it was within the muscle tissue. The tumor “broke apart” during removal, exposing a suspicious gelatinous substance. The tumor and surrounding tissue were sent to pathology. The devastating results came back within several days.

Jennifer has been diagnosed with Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma (ACC), a very rare, recurring form of cancer that develops most commonly in the salivary glands.

The surgeon believes that most of Jennifer’s cancer tissue was removed during surgery (and has not spread), but her team of doctors agree that moving forward with Proton Beam Radiation Therapy is the best plan of treatment. This cutting-edge radiation will pin-point Jennifer’s post-op site with minimal damage to her precious surrounding tissue (optic nerve and frontal lobe of her brain). Jennifer will temporarily relocate to IL, near the Proton Therapy Center, to receive her radiation treatments. She will receive radiation 5 days a week for 7-8 weeks with the possibility of a few concurrent chemotherapy treatments within that timeframe. There will be many out-of-pocket expenses associated with this treatment plan, including months of lodging, gas, and out-of-network insurance costs/high deductibles.

Anyone who knows Jennifer knows that she is an angel on earth. She is the kindest, most giving, most genuine human on this planet. She always puts others before herself. She is first in line to support her family, her human friends, furry friends, and benefits and charities of every kind. Now SHE is in need of support (but would never ask for it).

Please support Jennifer by lifting her up in prayer. She has already experienced so many blessings throughout these early stages of her battle… God is the ultimate Physician and we know that He is holding her in the palm of His hand.

Jennifer is carrying a very heavy emotional load as she navigates through all that has happened over the past month… she should not also have to carry the financial stress and worry of all that lies ahead.

Thank you so much for your support! It means SO much!♥️

God’s blessings!