Help me to make memories with my son

Hi

My name is Jenna and I am 37 years old. In May 2022, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Triple Negative Breast Cancer. This unfortunately means that there is no cure and treatment given is to prolong my life as long as possible. Triple Negative Breast Cancer is an aggressive form of breast cancer which does not have many treatment options. The prognosis given when TNBC spreads to other parts of the body is 9 months- 2 years with a 12% chance of reaching 5 years. I intend to be in that 12%.

In December 2020 after finding a lump in the shower I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Triple Negative Breast Cancer. I undertook 15 rounds of IV chemotherapy, a single mastectomy with full node clearance, three weeks of radiotherapy and six months of oral chemotherapy. On 22.2.22 I finished 14 months of active treatment and began trying to put my life back together and make plans for the future including starting a course to become a Teaching Assistant.

However, after a routine CT scan at the end of March it was discovered that my cancer looked to have returned to two lymph nodes in my chest. I was sent for a full body PET scan which confirmed that the cancer was back and had spread not only to my lymph nodes which would be potentially curable but more devastatingly (and quite extensively) to the bone marrow in my spine. I was now classed as Stage 4. Incurable.

I began looking at clinical trials in London to begin with and almost went forward with a trial at St Barts but this didn’t come to anything as after having some bloods done it would appear that my liver was struggling and the levels would be too high to join the trial and waiting for them to go down whilst not being on any treatment would have been risky. I will have to wait until my next scan in July to find out if these elevated levels mean that the cancer is now in my liver. I only had a partial response to chemotherapy the first time round which as this is my only lifeline is very scary.

I have now begun Chemotherapy again at my local hospital. I am actually writing this whilst having my second infusion under isolation as I also tested positive for covid just before my start date. Chemo and covid are not fun!

My son has just turned three years old. He is my world. After a battle with infertility and two rounds of IVF it is so cruel that I won’t be around to see him grow up. My heart breaks for him. I want him to remember me and the times we spent together. I want him to be proud of his Mummy and know I did everything I could to be around for as long as I can.

I really want to make as many memories for Theo as I can but as I’m not working this is very difficult. I spend a lot of money going back and forth to the hospital and on supplements etc to try and keep me as healthy and active as possible. Any possible trials, alternative therapies, I want to be able to explore.

I wish I didn’t have to ask but if you could consider donating to my Gofundme I would really appreciate it. Please feel free to share. I have a lifetime of memories still to make.

Thank you for reading

Jenna xxx