On Nov 8, 2023 Jessica was diagnosed with Colon Cancer. Although they didn't know much initially, they knew it was going to be a hard mountain to climb and best case scenario would take months to overcome. The good news, it is treatable. The bad news, after removing the tumor in early December they found out it was Stage 3B and it was also found in her lymph nodes... it was trying to spread. After a visit to the ER in January, due to a partially collapsed lung from getting her port installed, Jessica started the first treatment of 6 months of chemotherapy. They are hopeful and expectant that the treatments will be successful.

The last 4 months have been full of doctor visits, phone calls, blood work, CT scans, MRI's and hoping for the best news each time. The week after her treatments are the hardest and it takes 7-8 days for her to start feeling better. Her mouth can't handle temperatures colder than body temp and its hard for her to stay hydrated, so she has been going in 2 days a week to get fluids via IV. Staying hydrated is crucial for her body to heal itself and deal with the chemo medications. Dehydration complicates all her other symptoms. Usually she gets 2-3 good days right before her next treatment, and then its time to start it all over again. They expect to be done with chemo in late June/early July. Fingers crossed treatments aren't delayed and she can be back to exploring and adventuring late this summer.

Jessica has spent much of her life in the outdoors and loves to explore new places. This new challenge is keeping her indoors more than she would like and the neuropathy pain is starting to affect what time she is outdoors. She has made every effort to make it to Carter's cross country ski races, Tyson's basketball games and even made it skiing one day before her 3rd round of chemo.

The funds will help cover copays, costs not covered by insurance, travel expenses, meals, and a wig (yes, she is losing her hair!).