<div>10/9 - We got back this afternoon from 3 days in KS for labs, CT, Chemo and MRI. The good news is that everything is stable. The mets are not increasing in size and some (including the primary) have decreased. Aside from the fatty liver because of all the years of chemo, I am happy to report that we are currently keeping this Stage 4 Metastatic Colorectal Cancer at bay. This is a clinical trial conjugate therapy chemo that targets my KRAS genetic mutation. I have been feeling immensely better with way less side effects which is amazing! I love the folks at KU Clinical Research Center. They are doing some amazing work in clinical trials and especially for those difficult genetic mutations. They are helping me and I am so thankful. I have to tell you the story of the 333. We arrived back to the hotel yesterday after chemotherapy at 3:33 and our room number is 333. I felt like it was a sign to me because of the trinity and I looked up a few verses tonight and found some good ones in Jeremiah on healing and verse 33:3. Jeremiah 17:14 NIV. Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise. Jeremiah 33:3 NIV
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<div>Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. So thankful for your love, prayers and following me along the way. I will keep fighting the good fight. My mom has been my partner in travel and for that I am so thankful. She, too, is a cancer survivor.
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<div>9/17 - Chemo today at KU Clinical Research. Good news is I can keep going on my clinical trial. MRI results do not indicate anything to be extremely concerned about. I will still have a telehealth with a hepatologist for my liver and gall bladder, but my numbers from my labs are not concerning. Today is a good day!
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<div>9/6/2026 - Update from Friday. Colonoscopy was clear! Praise the Lord. Still have an MRI next Sunday, but your prayers and positivity just keep on working. Took some time to get out with my daughter today. I am feeling pretty good right now (just some scar tissue soreness) and significantly less side effects from the chemo now that I am on the lowest dose. I will have labs on Tuesday morning close to home to measure potassium and magnesium and receive fluids if necessary. Next Sunday, I will have an MRI in KS. Who knew that they had MRIs on Sunday? Thank you for your prayers. Keep them coming and please don't ever hesitate to reach out to me if you're going through something. I am an ear to listen and I will pray for you, too! We are so happy that we have some normal days for now. Always counting our blessings and putting one foot in front of the other. UPDATE: 8/27/2026 - Another decent day. I am feeling 1,000,000 times better and I can eat more freely. Still watching and not eating too much at a time, but able to eat so much better Will have to do a colonoscopy, an MRI, and visit with a liver doctor (the chemo is making NASH-fatty liver), but my lung tumors are stable. So for today I will celebrate the small wins! Going back to KC for Lil's soccer games tomorrow.
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<div>Zechariah 4:10 “Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the Lord that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the chosen capstone in the hand of Zerubbabel?
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<div>UPDATE: 8/21/2026 - Sorry, it's been so long! Life has been hectic and busy! Good news to report. The side effects are getting better. Not perfect, but better and I was able to go to a dietician to help me with what to eat during this journey and it is really starting to help. I was also able to get a 1 week reprieve and a dose reduction (last one I can get for this study) and had my last treatment on 8/5. We are still doing every 3 weeks. This means I will be going to KS next Wednesday and Thursday. I get to get my 2nd CT since the study began to evaluate how it is cavitizing (putting holes in) my tumors. I am ready to see this! The last one showed a significant hole in the middle of the tumor they are focusing on. Please pray that we are continuing in this direction. Your prayers, thoughts, love and financial support have helped us so much during this process. Clinical trial can be a scary prospect and have all kinds of things you don't expect. I can truly say that you all and God have made things so much BETTER and more TOLERABLE when I thought I couldn't keep going. THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts. Our words can never say or express our gratitude properly. We love you!
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<div>8/2/2026 After an initial dose reduction, the medication has still been wreaking havoc on my body with side effects, low blood counts, and weight loss, so I am on a 1 week delay to help my body reset and they will do another dose reduction this Thursday. Pray for the delay to allow my body to come back into a good place and that the dose reduction will
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<div>provide the same benefits with killing the cancer as it has been. Seeing those holes in my tumors on the CT is a beautiful thing. UPDATE: 7/7/2026 - Waiting to see if I can get a dose reduction due to delayed onset side effects to get my chemotherapy this Thursday, 7/9. Doing a clinical trial for metastatic colorectal cancer that has spread to lungs. Hopeful for tumor shrinkage at next CT.
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<div>My name is Jennifer Brooks and 2026 represents HOPE and HEALTH for me. I turned 53 on April 21st. I am a mom to 3 great kids and their significant others, have a wonderful husband, grandbaby, 2 great moms, siblings, nephew, nieces, great nieces and nephews, and beautiful friends, and of course my Lord amd Savior Jesus who has helped me through it all. I feel fortunate to have all their love and support.
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<div>It is my 5th year as a SURVIVOR of Stage 4 Colorectal Cancer on May 10th (my diagnosis date).
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<div>I am raising funds in preparation for ongoing treatment, procedures, medications, and transportation expenses for my Colorectal Cancer in 2026 as well as current medical expenses that I am paying off gradually.
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<div>This new treatment will mean more trips to Kansas or another Cancer Center (if something happens with the current clinical trials that I have applied for). The clinical trials and additional treatment options are for my KRAS G12V gene mutation within the solid tumors that grow in my body. This mutation prevents me from using current immunotherapy options to eradicate these solid metastatic tumors. We are most concerned about the 3 over 1 cm in my right lung. My current chemotherapy regime (every 3 weeks) is currently keeping these stable (growing slowly or staying stable, sometimes shrinking, and not multiplying), but can unfortunately stop working or cause too many side effects at any time. My quality of life is good, but I would like an option that will direct the chemo to my current tumors and help remove any potential future cancer from growing. I have been No Evidence of Disease before (for approximately 1 year in 2022 after my first Cytoreductive and HIPEC surgery), so I know that it is possible with the right treatment or procedure along with the continued prayers and support of my community, friends and family.
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<div>I anticipate medical related expenses this year to total at least $20,000 with my increase in insurance premiums from switching from a custom plan to a PPO to provide additional locations for treatment. This alone represents $5300 additional per year (a little over $203 per paycheck), $4100 total in deductible ($400) and out of pocket max expenses ($3750), current medical bills of over $2000 outstanding which I am currently paying off a little at a time. I anticipate at least 2640 plus miles (8 plus visits annually) of driving to Kansas (currently 4 visits) - 330 miles per trip ($1098 for mileage at .75 per mile). My supplements and over-the-counter prescriptions total $1000 per year. I have Rx Assist (copay assistance) for my prescriptions currently, so I do not have to pay out of pocket for those. In addition, I am also seeking funding to cover some additional physical therapy 1 time per week to assist with my scar tissue adhesions and muscle retention exercises as I go through the chemotherapy/clinical trial treatment. I want to know the right type and frequency of exercise with my cancer treatments every 3 weeks. I want to have the supervision of a health care provider, so that I can regain some muscle mass, maintain a consistent energy level, boost my immune system, and help break down the adhesions from scar tissue from my previous 3 surgeries. Copays are $50 per visit and this would be $2600 per year for 52 visits.
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<div>Here is a recap of my fundraising request (starting April 2026):
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<div>$5300 (Increase in insurance premium in order to access additional treatment options not available within custom network)
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<div>$2671 (current medical expenses- being paid for in small increments currently)
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<div>$4100 (deductible plus Out of Pocket Max)
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<div>$1098 (Travel Expenses to KS - 330 miles x at least 8 trips)
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<div>$1000 (over the counter medications and supplements)
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<div>$2600 (Physical Therapy/Health Care Provider copay for 1 x per week at $50 copay per week x 52)
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<div>TOTAL $16,769 I am requesting $20,000 total (incrementally) to account for 2.9%+.30, the go fund me fees percentage per donation and transaction fees).
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<div>Asking for help is difficult, but I currently cannot add additional hours with treatments every three weeks, working full time (I am a 30 hour FTE), our family obligations, and 2 children as dependents, one in college and one in high school and living at home. I also take the extra time, many times, and rest and heal, to conserve energy for daily activities and work.
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<div>The most immediate need would be covering the outstanding medical expenses, the deductible, and out of pocket expense maximum, and the premium increase which would be $12,000. The remaining $8,000 would be needed to support the remainder of the year.
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<div>I appreciate your consideration in assisting us with additional expenses in 2026 for new options for my colorectal cancer. We have had to account for additional expenses since my diagnosis in May of 2021 and we have also had people assist in the past for which we are so thankful.
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<div>We couldn't do all of this without the support of the community, friends and family. Options for access to affordable and effective treatments (for a reasonably healthy person with cancer) has changed with increases in insurance premiums and copays. However, increased options for new treatments even with these increases has made me consider doing a medical expense fundraiser again. I see hope on the horizon for colorectal cancer as awareness is at an all time high with the impact that it has on the lives of those less than 50 years of age and being considered the number one killer of those under 50.
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<div>We appreciate all of you. Your prayers and well wishes do not go unnoticed and your funding assistance makes a huge difference in our lives.
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<div>Our goal is to always pay it back, pay it present, and pay it forward for others experiencing difficult medical diagnosis, traumatic events, loss, grief, and overwhelming situations that can affect their daily lives. We want to be there as an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on, and hands to pray together to help bring HOPE and OVERCOME FEAR. Never hesitate to reach out. We may not know all the answers, but we are also here for you to offer what we can to support you as well.
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<div>If you know someone with or are someone with colon cancer, consider following along on my Facebook group Jenny's Journey - A Colon Cancer Story and Education to support those who have been diagnosed with or are family, friends, or caregivers of someone with colorectal cancer.
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<div>I share my photos, videos, personal experiences, hopes and prayers since my diagnosis in May 2021.
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<div>Thank you! We are grateful to each and every one of you!
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<div>All my LOVE, HOPE and STRENGTH,
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<div>Jenny Brooks
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<div>Almost 5 Year Cancer Survivor and Thriver
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<div>Diagnosed May 10, 2021 with Stage 4 Colorectal Cancer and Peritoneal Carcinomatosis stemming from a cecal tumor in the colon. Currently seeking funds to continue this journey through clinical trial away from home.
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James Remus

Rebecca Brown

Kimberly Collier

Anonymous

Jennifer Allen

Keri Simon

Adam Barbee

Jennifer Fischer-Bryant

Marla Collins

Kris Remus

Jenny's Journey-Support New Colorectal Cancer Treatment

Jenny's Journey-Support New Colorectal Cancer Treatment

Still $2,550 to go. Help us build momentum.