In March of 2007, my sister Lori was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. Because it was so out of the blue, she encouraged me and my 3 other sisters to get mammograms. The other three all received mammograms and a clear bill of health. I was breast feeding at the time, and just figured it was a fluke that Lori got breast cancer, and the odds of me having it too were slim to none. I continued to breast feed, and my sister Lori continued to nag me until I finally gave in and stopped breast feeding. When my breast milk dried up, my left breast went back to its normal size, but my right one remained, for lack of a better term, a D cup and rock hard.


I went to my OBGYN, and he ordered a mammogram right away. The mammogram of course came back suspicious, and I received a biopsy the the following day, confirming it was cancer.


After a very long consultation with the doctor and nurse at the breast center, I was referred to an amazing surgeon. I was given my options, and was told the right breast had to go, and was at a 75% risk of getting cancer in the left. My option was a no brainer in my eyes...bilateral mastectomy.


I was then referred to an oncologist in Gurnee who put me through a number of scans prior to treatment. After the scans were completed, he called me and made an appointment for treatment options and consultation. In this appointment I learned the cancer had spread to the bones, and was throughout my right shoulder, and three spots in my spine. This doctor never looked up from his file, and his options were to "try treatment", or be made comfortable. He pretty much told me that I would more than likely die in 5 to 6 years, and that there was only a 50% chance of reaching remission, and that was if my body responded to chemo-therapy.


I went in search of a second opinion at Cancer Treatment Centers. They were amazing, gave me hope, and the medical treatment I needed, as well as alternative ways to stay healthy, and beat those chemo blues.


I reached remission within 3 months of treatment there, and that truly sparked in me a passion to give hope to others. This is why I invest so much time in Relay For Life, and the various other events I do, such as Strides Against Breast Cancer. On September 17th, there should be a pink glove dance video coming on U-tube that I participated in today down in Chicago.


Cancer changed my life, but it helped me to see how truly blessed I am, and to appreciate life to its fullest. I honestly believe that things happen for a reason, and we all go through struggles. In the moment of that struggle, we have a choice to become bitter, or embrace it and do well with it. I choose to do well with it, and I sincerely hope I am doing that through the American Cancer Societies Relay, and raising awareness on this ever growing disease.


That is pretty much my story, I am a fighter and a thriver. I don't plan on letting this disease take me, and I don't believe it is in Gods plan for this disease to take me down. I honestly believe I went through everything I did, so I could help others through my experiences.

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Jenny continued to fight until the end.
Sadly, she could not fight anymore, and went
to sleep for the last time on April 28, 2013.
R.I.P.