Jenny Allen's Cancer Battle (Round 3)

As many of you know, Jenny is a strong and resilient woman who has already overcome cancer twice, but unfortunately, it has returned. She is now facing a challenging battle against cancer for third time this year—her second battle with lymphoma.

About Jenny:

Jenny is a 31-year-old who has touched the lives of many with her kindness, positivity, and unwavering spirit. Despite the physical and emotional toll of this journey, she continues to face each day with courage, determination, faith, and humor.

The Battle:

Jenny has always wanted to be a mother (she will be an amazing one!) and, in fact, was undergoing fertility treatments when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in the fall of 2022.

She started chemo in November--just in time to lose her hair for her 30th birthday. She went through six rounds of chemo with two treatments per round. Each treatment involved a long day of chemo on a Monday at a treatment center followed by feeling really crappy the rest of the week. The next week she would go to work at the bank (despite feeling weak, nauseous, and exhausted), so that she could maintain her benefits and get a full week of pay. She ended up with a scary bought of pneumonia in January 2023 and had to spend over a week bedbound in the hospital. She finished chemo in April 2023 and her scans were clear of lymphoma, but they did see a small spot on her thyroid that her doctor assured her he didn’t think was cancer.

In June 2023 they did a biopsy…thyroid cancer. Jenny opted to be aggressive and get a full thyroidectomy in July 2023. She will need to be on medication for life, but that cancer will not be back.

While we were in Vegas in October 2023, Jenny found a golf ball-sized lump in her neck. She knew in her heart that her lymphoma was back. After scans, biopsies, and bloodwork, her fears were confirmed—her lymphoma is back. This time we need to be more aggressive with her treatment.

First step is doing egg retrieval in order to maintain Jenny’s fertility as this treatment is no joke. Jenny applied for and got a grant to cover some of the cost of the medications needed for the egg retrieval, but the rest of the expense of the medications, the retrieval, and the egg storage is on her. Insurance does not cover this and it's extremely expensive. She will also have to go to a facility two and a half hours away every other day for several weeks (send her your podcast recommendations).

Then she starts strong AF chemo, which involves being admitted to the hospital an hour and a half from home, chemo for three days, then observation for one to two days. Then repeat three weeks later. Then a scan. Then maybe a third round of that strong chemo. We have no idea if she will be able to work between rounds. She will lose her hair again.

After that she will have to go to a hospital two and a half hours away from home to get immunotherapy. She will have to be admitted to the hospital for at least three weeks for that treatment. She will not be able to work during that time.

The Challenge:

Dealing with a serious illness like cancer comes with significant financial and emotional burdens. Medical bills, treatment costs, and daily living expenses can quickly add up. Jenny is not only fighting for her health and her fertility but also for a future filled with joy, laughter, and shared moments with loved ones.

How You Can Help:

We are reaching out to our community, friends, and family to ask for your support during this difficult time. Your generous contributions will go directly towards covering Jenny's medical expenses, treatment costs, fertility treatment costs, gas for all those car trips, and other related needs. Every donation, no matter the size, will make a meaningful difference in her journey to recovery.

Ways to Support:

Closing:

Your support means the world to us, and together, we can make a real difference in Jenny's life. Thank you for standing by us during this challenging time.

It's about to be Jenny 3 - Cancer 0. Let's rally together and show Jenny that she is not alone in this fight!

With heartfelt gratitude,

Traci Kerian

(aka one of Jenny’s besties)