Jen is our model for our 2007 Secret Red.

January 28th 2004...Jennifer was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Breast cancer does not discriminate. It cares not about the victims it attacks. It is not even intimidated by those in the world of medical research.

Jennifer learned this the hard way. Jen and her husband Mike enjoyed successful careers in cancer research. They had long known the terminology associated with a diagnosis of breast cancer, and they knew all too well the treatment associated with battling the disease. What they did not know was that Jen would experience everything and more that they knew about breast cancer.

Happily married and working in the field of cancer research, Jen and Mike had everything going for them both personally and professionally. At age 29 when a lump was discovered in her breast, Jen sought medical attention, but with no family history of the disease, worries were not foremost in her mind.

After several out-patient medical procedures to attempt to secure clear margins around the lump, the decision was made for Jen to have a radical bilateral mastectomy. She opted for the most aggressive yet physically debilitating course of treatments. This dramatic choice seemed to offer the most decisive means to rid Jen of breast cancer once and for all. The next 18 months would be a hellacious medical roller coaster. Undergoing treatment at Duke University Medical Center, Jen did numerous bouts of aggressive chemotherapy followed by several breast reconstruction surgeries. Tamoxifen and zometa treatments accompanied her medical regime.

Over a 2-year period, she lost her hair, endured a calendar full of medical appointments, and suffered all of the ill effects of aggressively fighting breast cancer. What got her through this bleak, uncomfortable time was the love of her husband, family, and friends along with the remote hope that after treatments were completed and good health was restored, they could finally start a family.

When surgeries and chemo and reconstruction procedures were finally completed some 3 years later, Jen and Mike deemed it time to start their family.They felt that the proverbial corner had been turned. When conception did not take place for several months, they decided to go the route of invitro fertilization. This meant more medical means and drugs, but it all seemed to be well worth it when Jen was expecting twins, a girl and a boy.

What were thought to be typical pregnancy side effects: fatigue, back aches, and water retention turned out to more serious concerns when jaundice set in. Endless diagnostic tests revealed cancer in Jen’s liver and bones. The nightmare was back with a vengeance.

Jen found herself in intensive care, connected to all machines possible that could remove fluids which were not being processed by her failing kidneys. Her bilirubin levels soared and as a result, the twin babies were spontaneously born at 17 weeks. Each infant weighted 7 ozs. They lived for 15 minutes.

As if the grief of losing the babies was not enough, Jen found herself in for the fight of her life.

Her health continued to decline as she experienced respiratory failure, liver failure, and kidney failure, necessitating dialysis 24 hours a day. Two months of hospital stay in critical condition brought about life support, ventilators, sedation, and feeding tubes. When finally released to go home, she required another 4 months of convalescing at home.

Stage four metastatic breast cancer is in her bones and liver. She takes daily doses of oral chemotherapy, receives IV therapy every 21 days, and undergoes frequent medical tests. Jen and husband Mike have seen the darkest of the dark side of breast cancer yet it is the light that comes from their hope for recovery that bolsters them. Support from family, medical groups, and close friends has sustained them. Currently, Jen and Mike are working together on a book about how a couple can navigate breast cancer and keep their marriage intact.

About Jen