Jane’s Journey

My very good friend and first co-teacher’s name is Jane Knudsen. She may have been your child’s preschool teacher, fondly known as Miss Jane. She may be your friend, neighbor, or a face you’ve seen around town that has touched you by her sweet smile and generous nature. She’s been battling stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer for eight + years.

Her journey began many years ago with 3 young children. She found a lump right below her collarbone that changed life as she knew it. Three days before, she had earned a dual masters in elementary education and special education...and she was finally going to have her dream job! She wanted nothing more than to do exactly what she loved- educate children. It was Christmas 2009...and a double mastectomy followed with a reconstruction was coming in the new year, but then came the spread to her spine. A tumor broke a disk in her lower sacrum, so she needed a spinal fusion with a rod for stabilization. After three months in the hospital and relearning to walk, this unrelenting cancer has since spread breaking both hips, femurs, right shoulder, and meniscus repair. The most scary part is the metastasis to her liver, which is not responding to any of the chemotherapies so far. All crushing her dreams of being a teacher.

My reason for starting a GoFundMe for Jane is because two months ago her left foot became paralyzed, which was thought to be neuropathy from her chemotherapy but it was just determined that her cancer has metastasized to her thoracic spine, affecting her nerve pathways. Now whether or not you know Jane, this is a woman who never complains. Even in situations this deep she still finds positivity in it, while also caring more about others than herself, but I know that her bills are mounting and consuming her because she is unable to work, or even do menial tasks at this point. Any funds raised will go toward medical and any other major expenses that she has.

Most gratefully, Lisa Murphy