Fighting For Jess

Dearest Go-Funders:

If you can help Jessie and her young family in any way, our gratitude for your generosity and empathy simply can’t be described with words.  This page is full of words that mean only one thing – hope. Please help us give Jessie hope again.  Here’s her story:

Put on notice, he claimed he was looking at new accommodations, and with bated breath we waited.  We sighed as he bid adieu, leading us to believe he was gone for good, yet he’s back and the nerve of him to bring more bags.  He is here uninvited, wanting to make this a permanent situation, but we have news for him: it’s time to get out cancer. You drag your feet mumbling about renewal, but there is no space to lease.  You’ve been served your eviction notice, pal. 

Cancer makes its mark on life, and boldly does he cling.  He is quiet and smug, with a goal for complete supremacy.  You see, in September of 2017 Jessie was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma that exists at the follicular level and is bordering stages 3 and 4.  She also has what is referred to as B Cell, a type of lymphoma.  At this phase of the game, Jessie’s exceptional team of medical care specialists at UAMS believe stem cell is what she needs for survival.  Buckle up cancer - off to the races we go.   

When Jessie first learned of her diagnosis, friends and family secondhandedly felt the burden of his unwelcome presence, his persistence, his neediness.  Cancer needs to be coddled, that evil bandit. Feeling helpless, with an unrelenting desire to help, we advocate for our girl Jess as she fights the big fight and prepares to toss out this sneaky dweller. 

Jessie, our beloved friend, our caring sister, our selfless daughter, our beautiful partner, and tenacious mother is about to venture on an unplanned and frankly unwanted journey: stem cell transplant.  In empathizing the inconceivable way this sickness has demanded she press pause on her life, Jessie is thinking about how she can continue to live.  She wavers from a state of confidence to extreme anxiety in facing the thing none of us want to believe we will ever have to face - a life threatening situation. 

Putting fears aside, we want to apply this new and raw emotion into something that can not only nurture a positive vibe, but also provide some relief to Jess and her family.  This sickness is not only a nuisance, but he needs to be wined and dined.  Specialized physician care, many hours of chemotherapy, CT and PET scans, biopsies, and now staring deep into the eyes of a costly transplant, we want to help reduce the burden that sadly occupies the number one spot on Jess’ list of fears: financial worry.

Truth be told that is typical Jess for you – putting gigantic fears for her life aside as she frets over how this might affect her loved ones.  She questions the quality of life she will be able to provide to her son with an incredible amount of medical debt lurking in the shadows.  Like Alanis says, isn’t it ironic?  Because what does it matter in the reality of the alternative.      

Jessie has seen hell these past 16 months, the cruel ebb and flow of cancer, and we are ready to get off this unforgiving roller-coaster and kick cancer to the curb where he can remain homeless and rot for all I care.  This transplant just might pave the way to handing him his final walking papers.  Without it, it’s back on that evil coaster, knowing no comfort, as the ebb and flow teases with highs and brings the abhorrent nightmares to light with frightening lows.   

Many say Jessie is strong as an ox, and it’s true she is as strong as they make them, but she allows the anxiety to creep through the cracks every now and then.  She’s a human living day and night with an obnoxious intruder.  Always wanting to chat when lights go out, invading personal thoughts, and interrupting plans.  Our goal is to alleviate as much of her mental discomfort as possible.  Anyone who has met cancer knows this universal truth: when a loved one is going head to head with a life-threatening illness you become desperate for, and only for, survival.  Because the truth is no amount of money can alleviate the threat of cancer taking someone away from you, and no amount of money can promise life.  Maybe this will put a smile on Jess’ face if only for a moment, provide her with a sigh of relief if only for one night.  Perhaps the tiniest bit of hope will allow her to release that pause button and resume her life absent of worry.  Maybe.     

My final words are those of Michael Jackson.  Cancer, just beat it.  No one wants to be defeated, but your time here is up, and Jessie is done catering to your nefarious demands.  You made a wreck of this place, and you will not be getting a good reference.    

With Love,
Jenny, Stacie, Katy, Paula, Melissa, Tonya, and Michelle

A friend has graciously offered for all proceeds of her Jessica eyeshadow palette will go to Jess.  Get yours here: Jessica 

Also, if you'd like to purchase a "Fighting for Jess" bracelet for $5.00 to help show support, please email Melissa at: [email redacted].  She will arrange payment (venmo) and delivery.  The bracelets are lime green and light blue.  Lime green is the color for lymphoma and light blue is Jess' favorite color (and it matches her baby blues!).