Jen's Courageous Cancer Battle

The past 6 years, Jen’s life has been anything but a “normal” life for a girl in her 30s. What it has been is days full of chemo and radiation, doctor visits, remission and 4 relapses in 6 years. This all started in the summer of 2017 after experiencing issues with her bowels and stomach pain. After countless appointments, in 2018 doctors finally did a colonoscopy, found a blockage, and performed a colon resection. From there, doctors came to her with the news no one ever wants to receive - you have cancer. In pure Jen fashion she showed immense physical and mental strength and pushed through weeks of chemo and radiation. Unfortunately, this isn’t anywhere close to where Jen’s story stops.

After one of her routine appointments in 2020 she was told her cancer was back, and this time it had spread to a spot on her lung. And while the news she had cancer was hard to swallow the first time, this time she had just recently got married. And in addition to her 17-year-old daughter, she had just brought a new son into the world. So, with both of her children as her biggest reason to keep fighting, she picked herself up, had surgery to remove the spot on her lung and went through yet another round of treatments. Like you would expect, Jen experienced physical and mental exhaustion as side effects from her treatment, yet she continued to work as much as she could, knowing she had a family she needed to help provide for. But also, because Jen never wanted to use cancer as an excuse and certainly didn’t want monetary support from others.

Unfortunately, two locations on her body with cancer and treatment still isn’t where Jen’s journey with cancer stops. After a routine appointment in 2022 she received the devasting news that they found 3 spots on her lung this time. Again, she finds the strength to pick herself up and goes through treatment all over again. And yet, the story still doesn’t stop here. Recently during a routine visit in December 2023, they found the same three spots on her lung have come back. Only this time they provided her with even more heart-wrenching news, you likely only have 3.5 years to live. And while Jen has a strong faith and she knows doctors can’t really predict her final day here on Earth, this news is hitting her extremely hard. After all, Jen is a Wife, a Mom, a Daughter, a Sister, a Cousin, and for many (including myself) and incredible friend and the thought of her life being stopped dramatically short and not being able to see her children grow up is consuming her thoughts. Right now, Jen is evaluating next steps with doctors to determine what is best for her.

To know Jen, is to love her. This is a girl with one of the kindest hearts you will ever meet. She is the first to jump in and help others if they need something. And while she has never been one to ask or accept help from others, she is the one that truly needs support this time. Because none of us can cure her or make this go away, one thing we can do is help support her financially. Jen is going to need to take time off work as she evaluates what the next best step is in her treatment plan. Once established she will go through some type of treatment and/or surgery yet again. If your financial situations allows you to contribute to helping Jen, she would be forever grateful. And if not, that’s completely fine too, she would be thankful for your prayers.

If Go-Fund-Me isn’t your preferred method of support, Jen’s Venmo is @Jennifer-Matice