My Sister Jenny


This story is about my sister Jenny Higley Lynch. Jenny is a 31-year-old mom who loves her family, the outdoors and making people laugh. In 2005 Jenny was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme, an aggressive brain tumor. The prognosis was not good. The doctors told Jenny that she would have less than 2 years to live. Although she was 4 months pregnant at the time, Jenny underwent brain surgery to remove the tumor and immediately began radiotherapy. Five months later, following the birth of her beautiful daughter, Phoenix, she began oral chemotherapy.

It has been more than two years since Jenny's diagnosis. Our family was optimistic since her health seemed to be surprisingly good. She wasn't too sick from the chemotherapy and she was even working again.It was a horrible blow when, after an MRI in July of 2007, we found out the cancer was spreading to other areas of the brain. We were unable to understand how she could seem to be doing so well, but still be so sick. We rallied our hopes and Jenny and her oncologist came up with a new game plan. They decided to have an Omaya reservoir implanted. This device is surgically inserted under the scalp for direct injection of chemotherapy throughout the spinal fluid. This surgery left her in pain and made her very sick for a couple of weeks, but she came through it and began the chemotherapy.

Almost a month later, in October of 2007, Jenny became extremely ill and was taken to the hospital where she was diagnosed with Spinal Meningitis. This illness took a huge toll on her and her family. Not only was it physically devistating, but it was an emotional roller coaster. She was put in a hospital in Salt Lake City which is about 60 minutes from Farr West where she lives. This made visitation, child-care and work for her husband, Ernie, and our mother a logistical nightmare. Jenny had to endure 3 or 4 surgeries (we lost count) to relieve intracranial pressure and to insert and remove shunts and drains. Finally, extremely weak and unwell, Jenny was discharged and sent home. She had less than a month to recuperate before the next phase hit.

On December 21 Jenny got another infection in her spinal fluid which caused a lot swelling in the area around brain. She was taken to the University hospital in Salt Lake City again. Within a matter of hours she lost all ability to speak and many of her motor functions. She was in the University of Utah Hospital for 4 weeks, where she battled infection, endured more surgeries and tried to get well. After this she was moved to Salt Lake Regional Medical center where she had 3 weeks of physical, speach and occupational therapies and more antibiotics.

Thankfully, Jenny is home now and in the care of family and friends. Although she seems peaceful, she has sustained considerable brain damage and needs 24-hour care. She cannot perform most every-day functions without a lot of assistance. Speach is minimal and somewhat confused, and we don't know how damaged her thought processes are. She has a hard time concentrating and understanding problems and she cannot yet walk on her own. Most of her time is spent sleeping, watching TV or watching her surroundings.

My dear sister is not the same active person I know and love. I don't know if she will ever fully recover. My family is in a waiting game. Ideally, Jenny will recover and be able to resume her chemotherapy. Meanwhile, her family is faced with a single insurance carrier that doesn't completely pay for all the care she has undergone this far, let alone the care she needs now. The cost for her hospital time alone is astronomical. There are two young daughters and a husband to consider.Our hope is that people whose lives Jenny has touched can help. Every dollar you give will go to provide Jenny care and her family support. Perhaps more important, it will provide Jen's family some of the hope they need to get through this difficult time. We know that God has a plan for Jenny and we are trusting in him. We know that he will bless you for your donation.Thank you.
5 comments
2/5/08
by Heather Chamberlain
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Erin, Jenny, Phoenix and Ernie

Monday, February 25, 2008

Miracles and Mormon Muffins

Hi, everyone. We have had a difficult week. Monday, February 18 my mom and Ernie took Jenny to the hospital because she quit speaking all together, had become very lethargic and lost some more coordination in the right side of her body. After waiting nine hours in the ER, and after a CT and an MRI, the doctors discovered that half of Jenny's brain was clouded in tumor and the other half was covered in abcess. As soon as mom and Ernie saw the scans for themselves they knew that the battle was over. It seemed the antibiotics weren't taking care of the infection and the cancer was also spreading. Together they decided instead of subjecting Jen to more surgeries, they would bring her home and make her as comfortable as possible for her final days. A strange burden seemed to be lifted from our shoulders as we began to feel the intention of the Lord. We are getting used to the idea. We are struggling but are somewhat at peace. Jenny, ironically, has popped back up after quitting the antibiotics. I was able to go to Utah, spend time with her and possibly say my final good-byes. She has become more alert than she has been for weeks and has gained some strength. What a blessing for her to be able to enjoy some more days with her family. I, for one, will treasure that gift forever.

Here's another e-mail she sent entitled "Miracles and Mormon Muffins." It was sent on December 28, 2006. Hope you like it.

On December 7, I officially became a one year cancer survivor. It’s cute that they make special little names for us – “victim” is a no-no – and I would agree with that. “Survivor” just sounds better I guess, but it always makes me think of the song “Eye of the Tiger”, and then I picture myself doing chin ups and pulling sleds of rock up an icy hill like Rocky in Rocky IV – that’s right, “eye of the tiger” that’s me.

To celebrate my “survivorship” we went to eat at the Greenery, one of my favorite restaurants and an old family favorite. We ate “Mormon muffins” and had some diet coke (I think their diet Coke is the best – my friend Jen calls it “crack water” – it’s true, that stuff will kill you). The waitress asked if it was a birthday or something and I explained to her that I was officially a one year cancer survivor. She is co-chair for the Relay for Life, an event that is held each year at Weber State to raise money for cancer research. She brought me a big decadent, gluttonous piece of chocolate cake with chocolate frosting (and a cherry on top) and she sang “happy one year anniversary”. My eyes filled with tears and I saw that my dad’s, Lesa’s and my mom’s were too. I hope that waitress understands what a service she did for me that night. It made everything really special. She’s also sending me a special invitation for the Relay for Life in August.

My last chemo treatment went really well. I didn’t feel as sick. On the third day of the Temodar cycle I took care of the kids for most of the day. We built a fort out of blankets. Both Erin and Phoenix were really excited about it. Phoenix just rolled around inside it, staring at the pictures of Winnie the Pooh and Piglet on the blanket. Phoenix can get anywhere she wants to go just by rolling and scooting. She sits up by herself now (which is amazing considering she has a pretty big head for such a little body!). Erin called the fort her “little house”. She squealed with laughter when she realized what I was doing with the big blanket. I was “Grandma” coming for a visit to see my “grandkids” (Carebears and a freaky looking doll that Erin loves).
I wrote about “miracles” in my journal and I thought I’d share part of it with you:

“. . . My whole world came to a sudden, terrible stop . . . I was deeply, terribly depressed, and without the Love of my Heavenly Father, I most assuredly would have remained that way. I’m here by His Grace and I must always be mindful of that fact. I may not experience the miracle of being cured, but the miracles I have experienced have been many. . .”

I look at Phoenix and I can’t believe how close I came to losing her. I am so thankful there was a doctor brave enough to take a chance on our unborn baby. They did so much work and research on my behalf. I feel so blessed and happy to have her in my life. She’s Ernie through and through and I love her so much. I also experience joy every single day. I remember wondering what I might be able to pray for. I knew people who were also young with children who undoubtedly prayed to be healed and who passed away. I wondered if I was questioning the will of our omnipotent God by asking to be healed; so I prayed that I would be able to feel joy again. I honestly never thought I’d feel that again. My whole world was twisted up into everything cancer, and now I sometimes go all day without thinking about it once. I woke up thinking about it; I went to bed thinking about it. Some days I would cry off and on the whole day, and now I can’t remember the last time I cried about it. It’s not that crying is bad, but I was wallowing in my own sadness and there were times that I literally felt the presence of the Adversary who wanted me to be miserable. The Lord was willing and able to ensure that I had joy in my life, but I believe he also wanted me to have the faith to ask for it.

I couldn’t have made it those first few harrowing months without the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the unfaltering love of my husband and family, and the sweet, kind acts of neighbors and even strangers. I don’t have the actual quote, but I believe it was Spencer W. Kimball who once said, “God does love us and watch over us, but it is usually through someone else that he meets our needs.” (I’m sure he was much more eloquent). Like the simple vase of tulips from a sister in my ward. For two weeks I kept them near the window in my kitchen, and when I would see them, I would think of spring and hope and better times. Tiny acts of kindness such as these got me through the darkest days of my life.

We had a terrific Christmas, and I hope that all of you did as well. Happy New Year!
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