I’m sorry you found my blog.

HA! What a funny thing to say on a blog!! But seriously, if you landed here, you either know me, or know someone that has cancer. That’s why I’m sorry!

Cancer.

I hate that word.

I remember sitting in the oncologist’s office in my early 20’s listening to the Dr. tell me that while it was not likely I would get Ocular Melanoma like my Mom, 3 out of 4 people would be diagnosed with some sort of cancer in their life. Since all of my Grandparents and my Mom have died of some type of cancer, I knew my day would come. I just never thought my diagnosis would be the day after my 41st birthday and as a mother of a 10, 7 and 6 year old.

Fast forward 4 years (October 2019) and the cancer has returned in other bones. So here we are, ready to fight again…and looking to be on some sort of treatment for the rest of my life.

This blog is my journey as I fight to leave cancer behind and move on in my life.

I should probably back up and introduce myself . . . my name is Jennifer. I’m a Christ follower, married to an amazing man (who happens to be a chef turned Co-CEO of a restaurant), have 3 beautiful daughters and I’ve been diagnosed with Stage IV Breast Cancer which originally spread to my sternum, but has now spread to quite a few other bones and one of my lungs as well.

I know it can be confusing when you stumble upon a new blog, so let me help you get started.

I have a blog to keep track of my thoughts and to let friends and family know what’s going on.
You can get to know our family or read my personal testimony here.
As I’ve been going through different procedures, I’ve written down what it was like. You can find a list of those over in the side bar (or down at the bottom if you are on a mobile device).
Click here to receive an email when I publish new posts.
And finally, if you noticed above that I’m married to a chef and think that must be the MOST AMAZING THING EVER, click here and browse through my blog about what it’s really like to be married to a chef. (I love blogging. Can you tell?)

Jennifer

Here’s what’s going on with me right now . . .

Severe pain

Nov 8, 2019 | Blog | 6 Comments

The burning in my esophagus is worse today. I ran a few errands, tried to go to the gym, but it just hurts too much. I spent most of the day in bed. I am allowed to take the liquid medicine the Dr, gave me 8 times a day. It takes the edge off for about a minute, but that’s it. Breathing is uncomfortable as well.:-(

Nothing new to report

Nov 7, 2019 | Blog | 5 Comments

Day one of the chemo pills – light headed and not feeling the greatest – most likely due to the fact that it hurts to eat or drink anything. Other than that, not much to report.

I posted this on Facebook this morning –

First chemo pill ✔️
Infinite amount left to go 😔

End of one treatment and the beginning of another

Nov 5, 2019 | Blog | 5 Comments

Quick update tonight…

Hooray! Radiation is over. It has definitely helped the pain in my sternum, as I can now lay down for a while and not be in severe pain. However, it looks like I have traded that pain for pain in my esophagus. It now is very painful to eat or during anything, even water. I spoke with the radiation oncologist and he prescribed a compound medicine which they mixed for me today that I can take before I eat to help numb my esophagus and make it so it is not quite as painful. Hopefully the pain will last less than a week.

Looking ahead to the week

Nov 3, 2019 | Blog | 7 Comments

Looking ahead to the week, I finish radiation on Tuesday and that same day will get my first hormone blocking shot. I have friends with me on both Monday and Tuesday and Tom meeting us there on Tuesday for the shot so I will not be alone. I’m pretty depressed, so I am thankful to have the company. Thursday I will start the chemo pills.

Chemo starts next week

Oct 30, 2019 | Blog | 11 Comments

I am very tired, overwhelmed and not feeling very good tonight, but I found out info. about treatment next week so here is a quick update.

I had my 6th day of radiation today and it was a rough day. The side effects have started – fatigue and heartburn/strange feeling in my chest. I had a lot of pain in my chest last night and didn’t sleep well. I ended up taking more pain meds today than normal to get through the day.

Radiation and Biopsy Results

Oct 25, 2019 | Blog | 12 Comments

3 of 10 days of radiation are complete. I’m pretty tired, but I’m not sure it’s because of radiation. There’s just too much going on and I’m struggling to keep up, even with not doing any cooking or cleaning. I’m sure this triggers a “what can I do to help” thought from many friends and family, which I love…but I can’t pass off parenting, appointments with kids and choir concerts.

Radiation starts on Wednesday

Oct 22, 2019 | Blog | 9 Comments

Both appointments went well today. I have a plan to help combat possible side effects for the course of treatment we are leaning towards. Still have to make that final decision after the biopsy results though.

I ran into my oncologist in the hospital today while visiting someone from church. 🙂 Got to chat with him for a few minutes. Once we have the biopsy results, we’ll let him know which course of treatment we want to go with and then he’ll get it ordered. He says it takes about 2 weeks to get insurance approval and to get it shipped to me, but that we wouldn’t start it during radiation anyways. So that works out well.