Jen's Journey to Victory: Grace Filled with Warrior Strength

Jen's Journey to Victory: Grace Filled with Warrior Strength Battling metastatic cancer with the love and support of family, friends, and an almighty God. Prayers, love, support, and encouragement appreciated.

Please do not provide unsolicited medical advice. We are confident in our medical team and our choices.

08/07/2026

Today is day 3 post new treatment infusion. So far, my anti nausea/vomiting cocktail has been working great. I even felt up to making a home-cooked meal yesterday. I am a little tired, but resting comfortably when I need to. They warn that days 4-8/10 are the toughest. Hoping to stay ahead of most side effects, but willing to fight through the difficult days.

I had my wig consult today, and picked out two great options to get me started. They should be made and sent to me within the next week. I am completely new to the wig game. If anyone has any great tips or tricks, send them my way. I'll take all the help I can get. I'm hoping to make this a positive transition and have a little fun with it along the way.

08/03/2026

We have been overwhelmed with the love and support that we've been flooded with since sharing my update last week. We are blessed to know some amazing people. Thank you ❤️

Operation Dance will commence this Wednesday with my first treatment. I am nervous for the unknown, but excited to see this treatment work. I just know that next June I'll be dancing the night away celebrating my baby boy and his beautiful, loving bride.

Don't hesitate to reach out during my treatments the next several months. I can tend to get a little lonely, so I welcome messages of encouragement, prayers, and plans to visit.

I'm ready to kick ass! Let's do this 💪

Friends and family, I know I've left you hanging the past few days, but we needed some time to process the updates, talk...
07/29/2026

Friends and family, I know I've left you hanging the past few days, but we needed some time to process the updates, talk with family, and figure out what comes next.

My scan results were not what we had hoped for. They showed progression of the cancer, and possibly new cancer as well.

Reading those words cut through Mike and me like a knife. We were so confident. We truly believed we were still winning this battle. And in an instant, we were reminded that this fight can change in ways we don't always see coming.

Mike immediately got on the phone with my oncology team to find out how quickly we could meet with my oncologist and, most importantly, what options we had.

We met with my new oncologist, and from the moment we sat down with her, we both felt like she was placed in our path for a reason. She was honest and real, but she also had an optimism that gave us hope.

I told her that my immediate goal right now is to dance with my firstborn baby boy at his wedding next June.

I have to be there.

She looked me in the eye and told me she has another treatment she is optimistic about. It's aggressive, but so am I. I told her I'm prepared for a fight and that I will do whatever it takes.

She told me that if I was willing to fight, she could confidently tell me that I would be there next June.

Not just there.

Having the time of my life.

I looked at her and said, "Let's do it."

Working with her, along with the pharmacist, we talked through the fight ahead, and put together a plan that we all feel confident about.

This new treatment sounds incredibly promising, and for that, I am so thankful. They described it almost like a missile—designed to deliver cancer-killing weapons directly to specific targets.

Well… that sounds pretty badass to me. 😏💪

There will be some changes ahead. I'll likely lose my hair within the next 2–6 weeks. And honestly, I'm finding a little joy in that part. At least I won't have to spend time drying and styling my hair every day. I HATE drying my hair! 😂

Mike is going to shave my head for me when the first signs of hair loss start, and I'm sure he'll have a little too much fun with that process. I may even have to let him give me a mohawk for a few minutes. 🤣

But underneath the humor is a woman who knows exactly what she's fighting for.

My family.
My husband.
My babies.
My future.
And that dance next June.

I'm not going to pretend I'm not scared. This isn't the news we wanted, and the road ahead won't be easy. But fear doesn't get to make the decisions for me.

I am surrounded by an incredible support system, and most importantly, I am standing firmly on my faith in the Lord. I don't know exactly what the road ahead will look like, but I know who is walking it with me.

Cancer may have started this fight…

but I'm determined to finish it. 💪

Keep praying. Keep believing. Keep fighting with me.

June 2027. One dance. One goal. One hell of a fight. ❤️

07/27/2026

Asking for prayers today as I prepare for an afternoon of scans. These are my first scans since switching to oral chemotherapy. I've been so nervous and wasn't going to share about my scans, but I've been praying for guidance and strength when I was reminded in the true power of prayer and the awesome support you all provide me. Please send your prayers and positive vibes for improved progress, and peace and comfort for me as I go through this process. Your support and encouragement truly mean the world to me. Thank you ❤️

Hey friends! It's Jen.Most of you know my story. Just over a year ago, I was diagnosed with incurable Stage IV cancer. I...
07/07/2026

Hey friends! It's Jen.

Most of you know my story. Just over a year ago, I was diagnosed with incurable Stage IV cancer. It's hard to put into words just how much life has changed since then.

Last summer, I spent more than 20 days in the hospital. Since then, it's been countless appointments, procedures, treatments, and scans. The good news is I'm still here; alive, fighting, and still full of hope and a hunger for life.

One thing I never expected was how much my social life would change. A year ago, I had friends, plans, lunches, shopping trips, and girls' nights. Today, that part of my life is almost nonexistent outside of my incredibly devoted family.

I don't know if it's the stigma attached to the word "cancer," if people are afraid because they've watched me go through some really hard and scary moments, or if they just don't know what to say or do. Honestly, I get it. Before cancer, would I have known how to be the friend someone with cancer needed? Would I have kept checking in, making plans, or just offered to sit with them on the hard days? I honestly don't know.

But I do know now.

Please don't stop trying.

There will be days we aren't up for going out. There will be days when all we need is someone to sit quietly beside us. But there are also so many days when we'd love nothing more than to grab lunch, go shopping, have coffee, or just feel normal for a little while.

Cancer may change our timeline, but it doesn't take away our desire to live. We still want to laugh. We still want to make memories. We still want to be included.

So make the call. Send the text. Stop by. Keep extending the invitation, even if the answer is sometimes no.

I promise... it can make a world of difference. ❤️

One of the biggest lessons I've learned since my cancer diagnosis is that so much of life is beyond our control. Life is...
06/30/2026

One of the biggest lessons I've learned since my cancer diagnosis is that so much of life is beyond our control. Life is going to happen whether we're ready or not. But we can choose how we respond, and every day I ask God to help me respond with faith instead of fear.

This journey has also reminded me that everyone is fighting battles we can't see. Nobody is perfect, and we all need more grace, compassion, and kindness. I truly believe that's how God calls us to love one another.

One year ago today, we began our battle against cancer.Our world was rocked, and for a few months, things felt very scar...
06/24/2026

One year ago today, we began our battle against cancer.

Our world was rocked, and for a few months, things felt very scary. I remember sitting in my hospital room as the oncologist explained that my cancer wasn't curable, but it was treatable. In that moment, fear did not win. Instead, I felt closer to God than I ever had before. I was overwhelmed by a sense of peace and faith. I never questioned that we would fight with everything we had and, together, find a way forward.

A year later, I'm still in treatment, but things are much improved and stable. I won't pretend that faith has always been stronger than fear throughout this journey. There have been some very difficult days. Days when I questioned everything, days when I angrily asked, "Why me?" But through it all, I've been blessed with an incredible support squad that has helped keep me afloat when the waters felt overwhelming.

This isn't how I imagined we'd spend our early forties, but here we are, and we're thriving.

Today not only marks one year since my diagnosis, but also the day we attended the OhioHealth Cancer Survivors Dinner. Mike was asked to speak on behalf of caregivers, and he did an amazing job. There wasn't a dry eye in the room. I couldn't be more proud of him. He has been my rock, my biggest supporter, and the person who makes even the hardest days feel a little easier.

I started the day feeling a bit melancholy and wasn't sure I even wanted to attend the dinner. When we arrived, it was obvious that we were among the youngest people in the room. That's something I've grown accustomed to in waiting rooms over the past year, but today it felt especially noticeable. I could have let those feelings take over, but instead, we connected with the wonderful people at our table and met many others who stopped to offer prayers, encouragement, and kindness.

I'm so grateful we chose to go.

Rather than allowing today to be a reminder of one of the hardest days of our lives, we chose to celebrate how far we've come and give thanks for where we are today. The journey isn't over, but neither is our hope.

Thank you to everyone who has prayed for us, supported us, encouraged us, and walked alongside us this past year. We are forever grateful. ❤️

Happy Summer everyone! I realized yesterday that it's been quite a while since I updated here. Things have been going pr...
06/23/2026

Happy Summer everyone! I realized yesterday that it's been quite a while since I updated here. Things have been going pretty well and I have been enjoying the kids being home for the summer. I'm still on my oral chemo regimen and every round had gotten much easier. I was able to enjoy a trip with little side effects and lots of fun.

We just returned home from our first getaway of the summer to Hilton Head Island. HHI is one of my favorite places ever. There is such peace and tranquility there, and I enjoyed every single second of it. My brother and his family joined us. I love traveling with them and getting such quality time with them.

Mike and I celebrate 20 years of marriage this year, so we took advantage of the beautiful surroundings and planned a vow renewal ceremony. We did a sunrise ceremony and the morning couldn't have been more perfect. Saying "I do" to Mike is the easiest and most rewarding thing I've ever done. I can happily and easily say it for eternity. He is my one true love and very best friend.

I had every intention of taking a ton of pictures this trip, but I got caught up in just enjoying my people and did not get near as many pictures as I had planned. If you've never been to HHI or the low country, I highly recommend.

I hope you all have a wonderful summer spent with family and friends, and beautiful trips.

Hi all! Just finishing up my first week of my new oral chemo maintenance. I'm not going to lie. It's been a tough week. ...
04/26/2026

Hi all! Just finishing up my first week of my new oral chemo maintenance. I'm not going to lie. It's been a tough week. I take 4 pills in the morning and 4 twelve hours later. I have to have food in my belly when taking them and that has been the hardest part. I'm not used to eating much in the mornings, as that's usually my most nauseous time. Trying to figure that out and stay on top of the timing of my anti-nausea meds has been quite the battle. I think I'm getting into a better routine, and I'm hopeful for a smoother second week.

Other than the fatigue and nausea with occasional vomiting, I honestly feel pretty good. I'm trying to fight the fatigue as much as possible, and yesterday I was able to make it the Palace Theatre to watch my sweet girl in Holy Mother of Bingo. It was a great show and our girl did amazing.

It's a busy time of year for us, so there's lots of good things to keep fighting for. Ethan had his senior prom last weekend, and Madison was in the middle school production of Mary Poppins Jr. These two have so much more happening in the next weeks that I can't wait to be a part of. My kids definitely keep me motivated and focused. Thank you so much for your continued support and prayers. I feel the love and strength from you all every day. ❤️

04/03/2026

Long post, but an important one to me. ❤️

April is Esophageal Cancer Awareness Month 💜

A little over nine months ago, my life was turned completely upside down by a diagnosis I never saw coming. I had the slightest discomfort on my right side—so minor I almost ignored it. I talked myself out of calling the doctor more than once.

But something nudged me to just make the appointment before our big family trip… and I’m so thankful I listened.

Within hours of a CT scan, I was reading words on MyChart that didn’t feel real—metastases in my lymph nodes and liver. I had metastatic cancer, and we didn’t even know where it started.

After more tests and scans, an endoscopy revealed the primary tumor at the GE junction—where the esophagus meets the stomach. Stage 4 esophageal adenocarcinoma.

I was completely shocked. I had no warning signs—no chronic reflux, no significant heartburn.

That’s why awareness matters so much.

Many cases of esophageal cancer are linked to Barrett’s Esophagus, a condition often caused by chronic GERD (acid reflux). Even though I didn’t have those symptoms, it’s so important to understand the risk factors. If you or someone you love experiences ongoing reflux, please advocate for an endoscopy. It’s a simple test that can truly save lives by catching changes early.

Esophageal cancer is also one of the most underfunded cancers, yet it has increased dramatically over the past few decades and remains one of the deadliest.

But I refuse to be a statistic.

So what can you do?
• Advocate for yourself and your loved ones—listen to your body and don’t ignore concerns
• Help spread awareness by sharing posts and supporting this cause
• Donate, if you’re able, to organizations funding research like the American Cancer Society or the Salgi Esophageal Cancer Research Foundation

I’ll be participating in the 2026 Virtual Esophageal Cancer Walk/Run on June 7 💜
I would love for others to join me—whether in person or virtually. I’m even hoping to organize something locally, but don't know where to really start. I'll share more details about the walk/run soon.

Thank you for reading, for supporting, and for helping bring awareness to something that could truly save lives.

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