Jessica's Fighting Cancer Fund



Jessica is a 32 year old new mother who suffers from a grade 4 glioblastoma. Glioblastomas are the worst form of brain cancer and the hardest to treat.  She is the middle child in a close knit family of three girls Keri (31), Jessica (32) and Lori (34). She is also the proud mother of 5 month old Lucas  who keeps her fighting strong.  Jessica has undergone 2 rounds of brain surgery and cancer treatment.  She is currently undergoing radiation and chemotherapies.  

                                                Jessica’s story

Jessica had her first brain surgery in 2012 where they removed most of the tumor that was deemed inoperable by her previous doctors. We are so thankful we found the amazing Dr’s at NY Presbyterian as they started Jessica on the path to fighting a tumor that if left untreated would have killed her slowly. Jessica's’ first recovery was long and difficult while she relearned everything from how to walk and how to live day to day, due to a difficult recovery Jessica was unable to return to work. She was in remission until 2014 when doctors discovered the parts of cancerous tumor that was not able to be removed began to regrow.  She was put on a 6 month treatment plan of chemotherapy which ended December  2015.   April 2016 Jessica became pregnant with her first and only child.  She was deemed a high risk pregnancy and told not to continue with the pregnancy.  Both parents felt the baby which we deemed a miracle baby since jessica was told she was most likely infertile due to her condition and chemo deserved a chance.  Jessica successfully carried full term and delivered a happy healthy baby boy Lucas on January 22 2017.  But like many mothers who suffer from cancer the hormonal changes in her body due to pregnancy caused her cancer to become more aggressive.  Jessica had a hard first few months of motherhood due to increases in her seizures, loss of vision and speech at times that doctors felt another surgery was unavoidable as she progressively got worse. For the sake of her child and her own life jessica agreed to a second surgery that was to take place on May 23, 2017.   May 19,2017 jessica was at a doctor's appointment where she collapsed and hit her head on a table as she fell down.  She was rushed to emergency and then transferred to NY Presbyterian where emergency surgery was to take place.  After exams she was to weak to have a successful surgery so she was admitted to the hospital to stay and recover till she was strong enough to undergo her second brain surgery. Jessica was kept awake during her second surgery since doctors planned to take as much as possible out and wanted to know first hand direct effects of each cut to avoid causing further damage. Jessica’s surgery went well and doctors tried to remove as much as possible but were still required to leave part of the mass behind.  Jessica was transported from NY Presbyterian to Burke rehabilitation center in White Plains NY  where she was deemed wheelchair bound and unable to use the right side of her body. She spent two weeks in rehab after surgery but Doctors needed jessica to start radiation and chemotherapy before any regrowth.  Jessica was released from Burke June 9, 2017 in a wheelchair with a leg and foot brace so that she could begin treatment starting June 19, 2017 at NY presbyterian hospital.  Jessica is currently now in radiation treatment which takes place 5 times a week monday through friday as well as chemo pills every night and avastin chemo intravenous every two weeks.  Jessica is currently living under the care of family which resides in Ansonia Connecticut and is driven to her daily appointments in NYC.  Insurance luckily covered the cost of her wheelchair and much of her surgery,  Jessica has not been able to work since her first surgery and expenses from her recent surgery as well as expenses of day to day treatment are starting to add up quick. Her family is doing everything they can to assist in expenses however its adding up. We all want Jessica to fight the Cancer and not worry about the financial burden that comes with fighting this disease. We greatly appreciate any help so that Jessica can continue treatments and be here to see Lucas grow up.

Current Medications:

Lorazepam (radiation prep), Sulfamethox/T (antibiotic due to treatment), Temozolomide (chemo pill), Ondansetron (nausea), Dilaudid (pain), Gabapentin (pain), Famotidine (steroid and swelling), Lamotrigine (Seizure) , Dexamethasone (anti-inflammatory), Escitalopram (Antidepressant), Levetiracetam (Anticonvulsants). Avastin (chemo IV)

This was created by Jessica's sisters Lori and Keri who will be handling this account on behalf of Jessica as she is unable to do so during this difficult time. we will withdraw money on her behalf and it will be used to help her with the everyday expenses with her cancer battle.