Hi, my name is Jennifer. Recently, I was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, and my world has been turned upside down, again!!

You see, ten years ago I battled stage 3 inflammatory breast cancer. I had a 5.7 cm tumor in my left breast, which is about the size of a large lime. In my first battle, I had a near-fatal reaction during my chemo treatment. I endured post-surgery pain from a double mastectomy, and then I suffered 3rd-degree burns from radiation therapy. The first battle took close to a year with testing and treatment. However, truthfully, this has been an ongoing battle for ten years. For ten years, I have had CT scans yearly, blood taken a lot, a painful shot in my belly every 6 months but recently changed to every three months, plus a pill every night. And of course, there is “the worry.” “The worry” is a constant thought in the back of my head. If I cough, I worry if the cancer is back. If I have a day where I am just feeling run down, I worry. I wake up in the middle of the night and my mind will wander to “the worry.” It is always there!!

I am doing everything I can to fight this thing that destroys lives. However, the reality is that cancer is not only physically and emotionally draining but it is also financially overwhelming!!!! My husband is the only one that is the “breadwinner.” He works as much overtime as he can and still comes home every night and helps around the house or is with me watching our kids play sports. I could never come up with enough words to tell you all how wonderful he is. This newest diagnosis has already taken him away from work and I know this is only going to get worse before it gets better because last time it almost killed us financially. Asking for help is never easy, but I know we can’t do this alone. Years ago, I asked for help from all of you but now I need to ask for your help again. Every donation, no matter the size, will help.

You all helped keep my spirit up and helped lessen a horrible burden, which I have never forgotten the kindness my family and I received from all of you. My faith gave me the strength to fight, and I thank God for all the many blessings He has given me and my family. I have faith and believe that God will give me strength again so I can see my grandkids someday.