Help Jen Barber fight breast cancer
Donation protected
On Oct. 7, 2016 Jen (Jena) Barber was unexpectedly diagnosed with two types of breast cancer (ductal carcinoma in situ and invasive ductal carcinoma). Radiology showed at least two tumors, as well as multiple seemingly precancerous lesions. Jen's cancer has the most abnormal type of cells and is dividing at the fastest rate of the 3 possible levels (rated at grade 3 with a proliferation rate of 3). A bilateral mastectomy will be performed on Thursday, November 17. 6 intense weeks of recovery, followed by painful adjustments at weekly post-op reconstruction appointments for a few months (a process similar to getting braces adjusted, only much worse!). In 4-6 months Jen will undergo 1-2 reconstructive surgeries, at which point she is looking forward to sporting this t-shirt:
Jen and her family have faced many medical challenges over the years, but the Lord has been good and faithful through them all. As the Barbers have a long history of medical expenses and are now facing substantial additional costs, this website has been established to tell Jen's story and collect money toward their upcoming bills. Would you consider donating toward this effort? Even more importantly, would you pray for this sweet family as they weather this storm?
Jen's incredible story is below; read and be amazed at what God has done!
"Friends don't let friends fight cancer alone!"
We love you Jen!
-Lindsay and Amber
Breast cancer is not Jen's first major medical diagnosis. In November of 1999, during her first semester away at college, Jen found out that she had abnormally small kidneys that functioned at about 25-30% of the capacity of normal kidneys. A few weeks later, before getting a chance to absorb the gravity of this diagnosis, Jen passed out at swimming practice at the University of Florida, ending up at the bottom of the pool (for more on this, see this video). In December of 1999 she was diagnosed with Arrythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia (ARVD), one of the few cardiac causes of a rare condition called Sudden Athlete Death Syndrome. Weeks later Jen learned she needed to have a cardiac defibrillator implanted in her chest, and her life would never be the same. Jen walked through a time of great devastation and loss as she was forced to let go of what she thought her life would be. Still, she refused to let fear keep her from living life to the fullest. She knew that the fact that she was still alive was evidence that God had a specific plan for her life.
A couple years later, Jen met James in 2002. God had a plan. They quickly became friends and started dating in May of 2003. Despite the difficulties of long-distance dating while James was at the University of Florida and Jen was in Jackson, Mississippi for graduate school, they decided to end their time apart and were married on June 16, 2007. About a year later Jen's kidney specialist told her that it may be difficult for her to become pregnant and carry a child to term. Later in 2008 Jen was also diagnosed with malignant melanoma. She was treated through surgery at MOFFIT Cancer Center and afterward pronounced cancer free (although she still has follow-ups to check for re-occurrence). Through all of these rare and formidable conditions, James and Jen knew God was at work.
On July 3, 2009, Jen and James found out that they were expecting their first child. They were thrilled! The pregnancy was not without complications, however. Jen's cervix would need to be stitched closed as she was already showing beginning signs of labor at only 23 weeks gestation. The procedure was successful, and was later used in her other two pregnancies as well. Although there were further bumps in the road due to Jen's heart and kidney issues (early induction and 1-2 weeks in the NICU for her second and third babies), the Lord blessed James and Jen with three happy and healthy boys. Jen's kidney specialist is still amazed that she was able to carry three babies to at least 34 weeks gestation despite all her health issues!
The Barbers are deeply grateful for 3 beautiful children, Jen's stable heart and kidneys, and so many more blessings which continue to abound. They are confident that God uses all of their life circumstances for good, even if they can't understand why. They love to recount the miracles God has performed in their lives: a heart condition that was diagnosed and treated successfully when often that same condition is only diagnosed at autopsy, poor kidney function that improved drastically without explanation, cervix problems during pregnancy that were found and corrected before the babies were born too early to survive, 2 NICU babies that are now perfectly healthy and normal, and God continually revealing His perfect plan for their lives on a daily basis.
Breast cancer is Jen's newest battle. God will do remarkable things again, and already has since since this chapter began (read Jen's blog here) . The Barbers already feel so blessed by the outpouring of love and support since the new cancer diagnosis. Jen, James, and their 3 sons (6, 3, and 1) have no doubt the Lord is at work in this difficult situation. They also know it will not be easy. One particularly challenging aspect of this will be the expense. James started a new job in September, and their new insurance kicked in on October 6th. They have a $6,000 out-of-pocket maximum to meet before the end of the year, and this total goes back to $0 again in January (the out-of-pocket expense will amount to $12,000 in the 6-9 month period that spans the end of 2016 and beginning of 2017). As the Barbers are continuing to pay off bills from their youngest son's NICU stay a year and a half ago and lately have had to reallocate money from Jen's job toward medical expenses (she started a part-time position at a local hospital to help save for a future adoption as well as help pay for some things that would give James more time with the family), they can definitely use some help!
Would you consider donating to James and Jen's fund to help them meet the coming financial needs? Even more importantly, would you please pray for this family as they walk this difficult road? God is their "refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1) They are eager to see how God will use them right where they are now, and what the Lord will do in the coming months.
Thank you so much for your support and prayers!
Jen and her family have faced many medical challenges over the years, but the Lord has been good and faithful through them all. As the Barbers have a long history of medical expenses and are now facing substantial additional costs, this website has been established to tell Jen's story and collect money toward their upcoming bills. Would you consider donating toward this effort? Even more importantly, would you pray for this sweet family as they weather this storm?Jen's incredible story is below; read and be amazed at what God has done!
"Friends don't let friends fight cancer alone!"
We love you Jen!
-Lindsay and Amber
Breast cancer is not Jen's first major medical diagnosis. In November of 1999, during her first semester away at college, Jen found out that she had abnormally small kidneys that functioned at about 25-30% of the capacity of normal kidneys. A few weeks later, before getting a chance to absorb the gravity of this diagnosis, Jen passed out at swimming practice at the University of Florida, ending up at the bottom of the pool (for more on this, see this video). In December of 1999 she was diagnosed with Arrythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia (ARVD), one of the few cardiac causes of a rare condition called Sudden Athlete Death Syndrome. Weeks later Jen learned she needed to have a cardiac defibrillator implanted in her chest, and her life would never be the same. Jen walked through a time of great devastation and loss as she was forced to let go of what she thought her life would be. Still, she refused to let fear keep her from living life to the fullest. She knew that the fact that she was still alive was evidence that God had a specific plan for her life. A couple years later, Jen met James in 2002. God had a plan. They quickly became friends and started dating in May of 2003. Despite the difficulties of long-distance dating while James was at the University of Florida and Jen was in Jackson, Mississippi for graduate school, they decided to end their time apart and were married on June 16, 2007. About a year later Jen's kidney specialist told her that it may be difficult for her to become pregnant and carry a child to term. Later in 2008 Jen was also diagnosed with malignant melanoma. She was treated through surgery at MOFFIT Cancer Center and afterward pronounced cancer free (although she still has follow-ups to check for re-occurrence). Through all of these rare and formidable conditions, James and Jen knew God was at work.On July 3, 2009, Jen and James found out that they were expecting their first child. They were thrilled! The pregnancy was not without complications, however. Jen's cervix would need to be stitched closed as she was already showing beginning signs of labor at only 23 weeks gestation. The procedure was successful, and was later used in her other two pregnancies as well. Although there were further bumps in the road due to Jen's heart and kidney issues (early induction and 1-2 weeks in the NICU for her second and third babies), the Lord blessed James and Jen with three happy and healthy boys. Jen's kidney specialist is still amazed that she was able to carry three babies to at least 34 weeks gestation despite all her health issues! The Barbers are deeply grateful for 3 beautiful children, Jen's stable heart and kidneys, and so many more blessings which continue to abound. They are confident that God uses all of their life circumstances for good, even if they can't understand why. They love to recount the miracles God has performed in their lives: a heart condition that was diagnosed and treated successfully when often that same condition is only diagnosed at autopsy, poor kidney function that improved drastically without explanation, cervix problems during pregnancy that were found and corrected before the babies were born too early to survive, 2 NICU babies that are now perfectly healthy and normal, and God continually revealing His perfect plan for their lives on a daily basis.Breast cancer is Jen's newest battle. God will do remarkable things again, and already has since since this chapter began (read Jen's blog here) . The Barbers already feel so blessed by the outpouring of love and support since the new cancer diagnosis. Jen, James, and their 3 sons (6, 3, and 1) have no doubt the Lord is at work in this difficult situation. They also know it will not be easy. One particularly challenging aspect of this will be the expense. James started a new job in September, and their new insurance kicked in on October 6th. They have a $6,000 out-of-pocket maximum to meet before the end of the year, and this total goes back to $0 again in January (the out-of-pocket expense will amount to $12,000 in the 6-9 month period that spans the end of 2016 and beginning of 2017). As the Barbers are continuing to pay off bills from their youngest son's NICU stay a year and a half ago and lately have had to reallocate money from Jen's job toward medical expenses (she started a part-time position at a local hospital to help save for a future adoption as well as help pay for some things that would give James more time with the family), they can definitely use some help! Would you consider donating to James and Jen's fund to help them meet the coming financial needs? Even more importantly, would you please pray for this family as they walk this difficult road? God is their "refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1) They are eager to see how God will use them right where they are now, and what the Lord will do in the coming months.Thank you so much for your support and prayers!
Organizer and beneficiary
Lindsay Franklin Montoney
Organizer
Land O' Lakes, FL
Jen Maile
Beneficiary