Random Updates – Jennifer's Journey

Test results

I wanted to wait until I had all of my results before officially posting this here. And I just got my final blood tests back a couple days ago.

My catscan showed NO signs of cancer, and I’m officially in complete remission!!

I will now be in surveillance, which means that every three months for two years, I have to go back for more catscans, pelvic exams and blood tests. After two years, it changes to every six months.

My blood tests showed my white blood count completely back to normal and all of my other levels completely normal (except that I’m still anemic, but I’ll take it)

In the words of the Grateful Dead, “What a long, strange trip it’s been”…

Looking back… May 20, 2023, this all started with a stomach ache. Crazy to think.

23 long weeks later….I’ve gone from an overnight ER visit, to an ambulance to the cancer center, 12 days in the hospital, 2 days in ICU, pelvic exams, catscans, echocardiograms, EKGs, the discovery of a 20cm ovarian tumor, an emergency complete hysterectomy surgery, a pulmonary embolism they found at the last minute (with an insanely memorable near death experience), a surgery to remove the PE, a swollen heart, catheters galore, a stage IIIa Endometrial Cancer diagnosis, a chest port surgery (that hit a nerve), 6 very long, draining, tiring and painful rounds of chemotherapy over 18 weeks, complete hair loss, leg and back pain, a burning stapled abdomen, peripheral neuropathy, body weakness, countless arm and hand sticks and needles to the chest, low white blood cell count, emotional overload full of constant tears…

But we made it!!!!!!

I am so thankful and so grateful to everyone who has helped me through this. BUT I want to especially say thank you to my parents/brothers…. Robert, Hayden and Robbie (and Robert’s entire family)… my amazing NY girl-squad, Alex, and my other insanely wonderful friends and family who have checked up on me, helped me, and/or sent well-wishes throughout this entire daunting adventure. You guys all seriously have no idea how much it has meant to me. There are no words to even express it.

I’ll try not to get too detailed in my thank yous, I didn’t exactly win an Academy Award. (But I’m saving that for next year).

The rollercoaster isn’t over yet. I have years left of constant visits, potential for reoccurrences 🤞🏼 and a LOT of bills coming my way. But I leave you with this… collected over 23 weeks (there were many more I lost… and to think the initial 12 days in the hospital was just one wristband!).

A reminder to myself what I just went through, and a hopeful bit of encouragement to anyone else currently going through it, or having to go through it in the future. ❤️ We made it.❤️

Stop hiding from me!

So, something I’m going to say… and maybe it will help everyone with any friends and family with cancer in the future…

We do not want to be any less of a friend to you because we’re sick. Your life and what’s going on in it is JUST as important as what we’re going through.

The number of times I keep hearing, “I didn’t tell you about it because you have enough going on”. Or. “I don’t want to complain to you, it’s nothing in comparison”

What I’m going through doesn’t “trump” anyone else’s struggles or bad days. I want to know what’s going on with you, too.

Unless you’re frustrated that your hair is getting too long. See another complaint department for that. 😂

But really. In all seriousness. Don’t hide your life or avoid seeking help or support or venting to me as a friend because of this. There’s a good chance you’ve been there for me at some point in my should-definitely-be-a-movie life, and probably continue to be, even in the simplest “thinking of you” way. So vent away! 💕

I did ittttt

I finally ripped the bandaid off and chopped my hair off.

I know what you’re thinking…. “Did she at least cut it into a mullet first?”

Why yes, yes I did, I’m glad you asked.

I also checked out some bangs while I was at it. And I’m thankful y’all talked me out of them for so long. Keep that up and remind me of these pics when I mention wanting them again.

Robert really shouldn’t quit his day job and cut hair for a living, but he did the best he could. 😉. I still have to go get it cut further but since the majority is done, I’m less likely to cry in front of everyone at the salon.

Something I wasn’t prepared for is how much the chemo hair loss hurts your scalp. Now I know what this guy felt like.

Chemo Day Part 2

I have another infusion tomorrow (Friday). Angela, my beautiful bestie, will be flying in from NY today and will be my chemo buddy. I’m not excited for what’s to come but I’m excited she will be by my side with me while I go through it!!!!! ❤️

That’s all for now… except, can we take a second to appreciate how amazing this blanket is that my good friend Megan made me? She’s insanely talented! 💕

PS. Thank you all for the replies and comments on here, texts and FB messages. I love hearing from you all and knowing you’re reading my dorky blog. 🫶🏼

Post-Round One Update

A quick update on what it has been like since I had my first chemo on Friday 6/23. I was warned that Sunday would be “when it starts” (the side effects).

I was fine on Sunday, but Monday brought complete exhaustion and some weird effects on my legs. After researching a bit, I think it was the previously mentioned peripheral neuropathy. It felt like someone was squeezing both of my legs in a vice from the knees down. At one point, I’m pretty sure I told Robert to just cut them off. I may or may not have been serious.

That aside, it only lasted about a day and a half. I still feel it here and there but nothing like it was on Monday. And I’m mentally preparing myself that this is just round one, and this is likely the “easy” of it all.

Here Are Some Eyeballs For Your Troubles

In other news, my hatred for healthcare continues. The conversation with my insurance company was just wonderful yesterday.

Insurance rep: Great news! We actually cover wigs that are deemed necessary, such as in your case!
Me: Awesome. So where do I go get one that’s in-network?
Insurance rep: Latrobe, Pennsylvania.
Me: I live in Northeast Florida… Is there anywhere…. local to me?
Insurance rep: Sorry, yes, here’s a list of five places near you

(sends me a list of five places that provide prosthetic eyeballs. No joke.)

Me: These are places that provide prosthetic eyes…
Insurance rep: I’m sorry, that’s what comes up in the category.
Me: So there is no place to go locally…
Insurance rep: You can go any place, they just won’t be in-network.

And around we go…

It feels like maybe this is karma, because when people used to ask if my blue eyes were “real”, I’d sarcastically respond, “no, they’re glass eyeballs”.

P.S. Did anyone else know that a real legit wig can be up to $10,000? Despite my gripes about healthcare, I’m definitely thankful my insurance will be covering most.

I’m Only Awkward Because I’m Awkward

I think the worst part of any of this for me is that I’m not someone to ask for help with ANYTHING. Anyone close to me knows this and is probably laughing right now. I do things myself, even if someone blatantly says, “let me help you with that”.

I’m still recovering from the hysterectomy on top of starting chemo, and can hardly bend down and I’m not allowed to lift things… so they say.

I get soooo many offers from friends and family to take me places, bring dinner, sit with me at chemo, get me anything I need… even clean for me. And I probably have the most awkward responses to you all (and I’m sorry for that!), but anything anyone does for me makes me feel like a burden. So don’t take it personally! I appreciate everyone so much.

I’m getting there. Baby steps in letting people help with things. And so incredibly appreciative of the offers just as much as the actions.

And of course, thankful for this guy that doesn’t give me a choice in him helping me with things. It wasn’t the best work, but it was the work of the best.