Support for Jessica Buikema

On October 6, 2020, our dear friend Jessica Buikema was told the unimaginable: you have stage 4 breast cancer and there is no cure. Weeks earlier, a biopsy revealed that she had an invasive ductal carcinoma. Initially, the cancer was thought to be Stage 2 because it was also found in multiple lymph nodes. The plan was to start chemotherapy immediately, followed by surgery, radiation, and hormone therapy. While this season felt extremely daunting and scary, Jessica was somewhat comforted thinking that it at least had an end in sight.

However, her PET scan revealed lesions on her liver. The disease had spread. The cancer is classified as Stage 4 which is considered not curable. While the cancer can eventually go into remission, she has been told she is facing a lifelong battle of fighting the cancer that is in her body.

So many have been asking about how to help, and right now there are really two ways: to join us in praying for a miracle and to give financially toward the medical bills and financial burdens to come.

We don't know exactly what treatment will look like in Jessica's future, but we know that there is not a quick end in sight. Any financial gift, whether $5 or $5000, will be an incredible blessing to Jessica and the fight that is ahead. 


Posted by Jessica on October 7, 2020:

Friends, I have cancer and need your prayers.

Months ago I felt a lump in my breast. Thankfully, my doctor sent me to get a mammogram and an ultrasound. The results came back as a BIRAD 5 (high probability of cancer). My biopsy revealed that I had an invasive ductal carcinoma. Initially, the cancer was thought to be Stage 2 because it was also found in my lymph nodes. The plan was to start chemotherapy next week, followed by surgery, radiation, and hormone therapy. While this season felt extremely daunting and scary, I was somewhat comforted thinking that it at least had an end in sight.

This morning I was told that my PET scan revealed lesions in my liver. The disease had spread. The cancer is classified as Stage 4 which is considered not curable. While the cancer can eventually go into remission, I am told that I am facing a lifelong battle of fighting the cancer that is in my body.

I am asking for a miracle. This journey has already left me stunned - holding belief and faith in one hand and following the wisdom of the doctors in the other. How can this be? Nothing feels real.

I am pleading with you to join me in the ask for healing. We have seen God do it before and will ask again. Please hold me in your prayers. Tomorrow morning I have a biopsy of my liver, and from there my doctors will lay out a plan of treatment beginning as soon as possible.

I am broken.