In November 2014 Jake’s mother, Jeanne, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Jeanne, a Women’s Health and Family Nurse Practitioner, was surprised by her aggressive diagnosis, especially since she’d diligently received yearly mammograms. She underwent months of grueling chemotherapy before completing double mastectomies with reconstruction in 2015.
Despite her diagnosis, Jeanne continued to work full time in a family practice office, adjunct part-time in the Family Nurse Practitioner program at Indiana State University, and work toward her doctoral degree.
The most difficult part of her diagnosis, Jeanne says, was the loss of control. After getting the news that she’d need to start chemotherapy immediately, Jeanne was upset. When she arrived home from work, her husband put his arms around her and said, “Honey, I know you never imagined you’d have chemotherapy and never ever imagined you’d have it this week. But I think you’re more upset that they changed your plan!”
Jeanne says, “That was God speaking through my husband. I knew right then that I was the patient, and I would be wherever I needed to be and do whatever my team needed me to do to beat this cancer.”
As of February 2018 Jeanne has been in remission for three years. Jake is dedicating his run for LLS Man and Woman of the Year to his mom and is excited for this opportunity to help end cancer—in any form. This is Jeanne’s Journey.