Jessica Harclerode’s Journey- Beyond the Cancer

Jessica’s Journey – Beyond the Cancer in Jessica’s words.

In March of this year, I began a journey that was unexpected. After falling ill with virus-like symptoms, I began a path that only God himself can understand. On March 1st, I entered Patient First only to be told that I did not have any positive viral tests and that they would run my bloodwork to see if they could further understand my fatigue, loss of appetite, chills, and body weakness. After two days, I called to learn that my liver levels were elevated and my iron count was low. Seeing as though I have a history of anemia, the latter was not a surprise.

I was referred to my primary physician who ran further bloodwork and this time my liver levels were elevated to an alarming amount. This led to a sonogram of my liver which revealed 2 large tumors and many smaller lesions covering my liver. I received the news on Friday, March 4th and was seen only 3 days later by an oncologist – yes, an oncologist! I refused to believe anything serious was wrong and held on to that thought through the next two weeks of CT scans, an excruciating biopsy, and numerous blood test.

Less than a week later, my CT scan revealed an almost 4-inch mass in my colon. Although the biopsy was not back to determine what illness I may have, the oncologist felt confident that I had colon cancer. Due to the size of the mass, I was referred immediately to a colon rectal surgeon and bypassed the normal GI colonoscopy completely. The surgeon was so alarmed by what he saw on the CT, that I had a visit that same week to meet him. After only 20 minutes of meeting him, I was scheduled for surgery just 4 days later. That same night, March 31st, I got the call that it was confirmed – I had Stage 4 colon cancer that had metastasized to my liver.

Monday, April 4th I had a life-saving colectomy surgery that removed 3 feet of my colon, the entire cancer mass, my appendix, 13 lymph nodes, and several inches of my small intestine. My surgery was 5 hours long and I had the best of care. Not until I was released from the hospital 4 days later did Brad tell me that the doctor literally saved my life that day. The doctor stepped out of surgery to tell my parents and Brad that the cancer had obstructed 100% of my bowel and the tumor had begun to grow into and through the wall of my intestine. Within 48 hours the doctor said I would have been in septic shock and cancer would been the least of my problems.

The following 6 weeks included numerous tests, another surgery to place a port in my chest for my chemotherapy and my blood draws, chemo prep classes, meetings with Life for Cancer, and of course healing from the colon resection. I was also informed that I was not a candidate for immunotherapy and due to certain biomarkers, I was only a candidate for FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy, which is a highly aggressive regiment of treatment. In addition, my cancer was found to be hereditary. After genetic testing, I did find that my tests were negative meaning my children and grandchildren will most likely not have the gene (Thank the Lord!). To date, I have had 3 of my possible 12 rounds of chemotherapy. I am handling treatment well and luckily; I have been able to manage most of my symptoms with my wonderful nurses and doctor.

The next step will be in 6 weeks which will determine if treatment is working effectively enough for me to keep my liver or if I will need a complete transplant from a living donor (only). This is my next mile stone. This is my next challenge. If the treatment is working, the prayer is that I will have at least 25 percent of my liver lesion/cancer-free to have my liver resectioned and that my liver would be healthy enough to regenerate. The other option is the transplant. Either way, I am confident in my doctor’s ability to help me determine the next step.

Although this is my journey, cancer brings your family and loved ones along for the ride. Unfortunately, my children will grow up faster than I had hoped and see things I never wanted them to see. As my hair falls out, my body grows tired, and my ability to do everything a single mom does becomes less, they too will be changed. My hope is that they grow closer to God and become even more compassionate than they already are if that is even possible. Our heart and our minds are STRONG and filled with FAITH. I do not ask “why” me, but what can I learn from this and how can I serve when I am completely healed. Our strength is pulled from the prayers, daily calls, texts, letters, cards, and visits from our family and friends. We are just so grateful and have no words good enough to show our appreciation and how much we love each of you. I have a saying: Cancer will ride with me; not me with it. It will be in the backseat until it's not, and then I will continue my journey without it down whatever road God leads me.

• Up to 12 rounds of chemo

• Shots bi monthly for maintaining white blood cell count

• Major surgery for liver resection or transplant

• Approximately a year out of work

• Hoping to pay for kid’s activities, camps, sports, gas for Alyssa’s transportation, and medical bills

• We do have the support of our family. Any other support would be a huge blessing to help lessen the financial burden upon them.