Jenn's Journey

At 16 weeks pregnant and 3 days before Christmas 2015 I was diagnosed stage 3 Rhabdomyosarcoma. Typically this type of cancer is found in pediatric patients and although very rare its even more unlikely for an adult. My tumor is large in comparison to my face. The tumor goes to my left ear, and up the nasal cavity touching the first layer of her brain. The tumor is aggressive therefore my treatments are aggressive. While pregnant she did all her staging without anesthesia, radiation guidance and pain medication. Although odds were against the baby I chose a breast cancer chemo regimen to protect the baby and prevent the tumor from growing and chose to postpone my own regimen to save my unborn child. On April 19, 2016 I had an emergency C-section and delivered baby Brayton 6 weeks early. Brayton was sent to a NICU an hour away and within two days I began the proper chemo regimen for my cancer. I was finally reunited with my newborn 4 days after he was born. After spending 2 weeks in the NICU Brayton came home. On May 11th I along with my boys and mother moved to Jacksonville to get Proton therapy which consisted of 31 rounds of radiation. I started chemo January 21, 2016 and last chemo January 25-27th which was roughly 39 treatments. During this journey I have done my best to maintain a positive attitude and I have stayed firm in my faith. Thank you for your support and joining me on Jenn's Journey..