10/30/2026
Jeffrey's year has been an emotional rollercoaster. The clinical chaplain at HMH Hospice welcomed his first child with his wife, Eileen, in 2025, but after the birth Eileen was diagnosed with breast cancer. Since it had spread, she was given just two to three years to live.
It was devastating news for the couple as they began their parenting journey with their newborn, Rebekah.
“Every day should have been the growth of happiness with the growth of my daughter,” Jeffrey says. “But knowing that there might not be a next year, that I might be a single parent, it was equally the happiest and saddest moments of my life.”
Eileen had noticed a lump in her armpit, but it was attributed to pregnancy. It wasn't until after she gave birth and had testing that the cancer was found. She began chemo, which initially worked, but when doctors from another healthcare network discovered it had spread to her liver, they told her she was stage 4. They let her know they'd begin a palliative approach.
Jeffrey had joined HMH during Eileen's pregnancy. He already felt lucky to find the position, and now he believes the job switch saved his life.
When Eileen was told her choices were limited, Jeffrey suggested a second opinion at Hackensack Meridian Health.
They met with hematologist/oncologist Dr. Joshua Bramson and medical director of breast surgical oncology Dr. Roshani Patel, who suggested continuing with the chemotherapy treatment that had been shrinking the mass.
“We went from hopelessness to hope, no future to future,” Jeffrey says.
Eileen underwent two kinds of chemotherapy treatment and had a double mastectomy. Incredibly, her testing now shows no markers for cancer.
All throughout, Jeffrey's team had his back, stepping in to tell him to focus on family.
“I’m phenomenally supported both clinically and emotionally and it makes it easier for me to come home and be there for my family and give that support,” he says.
During Eileen's treatment, working as a chaplain in hospice was difficult for Jeffrey, whose patients were often going through similar diagnoses. But he wouldn't change his job, with his strong connection to his patients, their families and his fellow team members within home care, at Jersey Shore University Medical Center and beyond.
“I genuinely love the people I work with,” he says.
Today, Eileen's prognosis is good, and they can continue making memories with their young daughter.
“She is what we’re fighting for,” he says.
