I first want to apologize for any close friends or relatives that are finding out this news this way. To say that it has been a whirlwind the past two weeks is an understatement. Also, if you are willing, please share this fundraiser as you are able.

At the end of August 2025, it seemed like overnight that a rather large lump appeared in my right breast. Eddie told me to go in right away to get it checked out. I assumed it was hormones, or a cyst, or maybe even a benign tumor. So often health concerns get dismissed or it turns out to be nothing. I just had a physical in April and nothing was palpitated.

After a month or so when it did not resolve on its own, I scheduled an appointment with my primary care provider for the next available time that worked in our schedules. That appointment ended up being in November. I figured that length of time was acceptable. It can wait; it's nothing, right?

Primary care immediately recommended that I have an urgent mammogram and ultrasound. The breast center did not have time for a biopsy and this had to be postponed to black Friday. I got the results on 12/1/25. Stage 3 invasive ductal carcinoma that has spread to one confirmed lymph node. MRI further found three abnormal lymph nodes. The PET scan is pending. Since that appointment I have undergone consultations with surgery, oncology, genetics, plastic surgery, and fertility preservation.

I purposely wanted to wait to have kids until I was "older" and "ready." Ready meant out of graduate school. Ready meant being in the throes of my career. Ready meant having my mom in a stable position since I am her primary caregiver. Eddie would have had kids immediately after we got together 10 years ago! (uffda!) I pumped the brakes on that idea. In my mind, we always had time, and there was always something pressing that needed immediate attention.

Oncology is recommending that I move forward with chemotherapy. This is the one defense that we have against "microscopic" disease that could metastasize further than my lymph nodes. Chemotherapy can cause permanent infertility and the likelihood of that is higher the older that you are.

This resulted in an urgent referral to an IVF center. More appointments. More testing. More imaging. I had no prior knowledge to IVF. In my mind, what would be would be and if we were unable to get pregnant, then that was what was in the cards was for us. For those that know me, I am generally not a fan of children, so it would be no surprise.

But, parents tell me that having your own child is different. I had a patient recently that commented they are doing family photos under a tree in their backyard with multiple generations. She asked if we had kids and I said, "No. Not yet." She said, "You'd better get on that! You'll be all alone under your tree!" An innocent comment that hits differently now.

Eddie and I are pursuing IVF so that the choice of having children is not taken away from us by this cancer diagnosis. While I have decent health insurance, it does not cover all of the cost of IVF. It does not cover all of the cost of the medical equipment I will need down the line. Minnesota Leave does not cover all of your lost wages and it is limited to 20 weeks. I am having chemotherapy for five months. I am expecting to get a mastectomy at the end of that five months, which mandates additional time for recovery. I am planned to undergo radiation therapy after the mastectomy. Furthermore, multiple surgeries are usually needed for reconstruction.

I have always been fiercly independent. I think that stems from coming from a divorced family and seeing the hardships that my parents went through. It has always been hard for me to ask for help. I am also aware that we cannot get through a diagnosis like this alone. It takes a community to come together and help one another when need arises. The funds that we garner through this crowdsourcing will be used for the IVF treatments, medical costs associated with the cancer diagnosis, and lost wages.

Thank you for taking the time to read my whole story. I am sure there are many out there like mine. Eddie and I appreciate all of the support during this time. It is a position that we never envisioned ourselves to be in.

With love, and happy holidays,

Jennifer Wittman

12/19/26: I have been floored by the support, words of encouragement, and monetary contributions. Thank you does not capture the gratitude that I have felt the past two days. Eddie and I are so grateful for each and every one of you. I see every one of your names show up on the donation list and I am reminded of all the amazing people that have been a part of my life. Thank you to those that are sharing the GoFundMe Link, that really does help spread a wider net, because any small contribution does help.

I'm still waiting on results from the PET scan to see how far the breast cancer has spread. My thoughts have been dominated by that pending result, but know that I see all your comments and support and I am so thankful for all of you, now more than ever

(Also public service announcement: GoFundMe is not a scam as I have often thought in the past! There is a nominal transaction fee. My Venmo is @JenniferWittman if you want to contribute, but are skeptical of online crowdsourcing as I have been).

With love,

Jennifer