“The day-to-day moments, I attempt to soak them in as a lot as I can as a result of I do know they will go by so quick,” says Jenny Foltz, a younger mom and superior rectal most cancers survivor. “You simply by no means know what tomorrow will deliver.”
Jenny was simply 30 years outdated when she obtained the scary information that she had stage 3 rectal most cancers. To make issues worse, she had simply discovered she was 8 weeks pregnant together with her first child.
A Life-Altering Prognosis
She confronted a tricky scenario. Her most cancers remedy may probably have an effect on the infant.
However Jenny didn’t quit. Her medical doctors labored together with her to discover a remedy plan, together with surgical procedure and chemotherapy, that handled the most cancers whereas making an attempt to maintain her child secure.
Beating Rectal Most cancers
Jenny’s remedy was a hit. She gave start to a wholesome child boy, Carter. “It has been such a reward to be Carter’s mother and to look at him develop wholesome,” says Jenny.
However sadly, her most cancers wasn’t carried out. Three months later, she discovered the most cancers had unfold. “A lymph node had developed in my decrease stomach space, and so additional remedies have been wanted,” she says.
Jenny had one other surgical procedure, 28 days of radiation, and extra chemotherapy after.
Life After Most cancers
In the present day, Jenny is cancer-free and having fun with life together with her household. Her son Carter simply turned 7. Jenny and her household treasure each second they’ve collectively.
Since then, she nonetheless involves UVA Well being for normal check-ups. “We do labs each six months after which annually, I do CT scans,” she says. She additionally has yearly colonoscopies.
Most cancers Specialists for You
UVA Well being is Virginia’s solely NCI-designated Complete Most cancers Middle
What Is Rectal Most cancers?
Rectal most cancers occurs within the rectum (the final a part of the big gut, earlier than the anus). Many occasions, rectal most cancers doesn’t trigger signs instantly. However when signs occur, they will embody:
- Blood in your stool
- Modifications in rest room habits
- Feeling drained on a regular basis
- Unexplained weight reduction
If you happen to discover these indicators, it’s essential to get checked by a physician. Catching rectal most cancers early makes it simpler to deal with. That’s why screenings like colonoscopies are so essential.
A Message of Hope
Jenny needs others going through most cancers to know they will get by it, someday at a time. She additionally says having assist from household, buddies, and others who perceive could make all of the distinction.
See Jenny speak about her most cancers and restoration journey on this replace she shared with us.
View Transcript
Hello, my title is Jenny Foltz. I used to be identified with most cancers again in 2017 whereas pregnant with my son Carter. It was an enormous shock.
I actually was grateful for my medical doctors who I felt like I may belief and speak by issues. However it was very easy to get forward of myself and to consider the worst factor that might occur, to only take it someday at a time, attempt to discover the nice issues.
It has been such a reward to be Carterâs mother and to have a son and to look at him develop wholesome. He simply had his seventh birthday, February fifth, and simply to see him develop and to be taught, giving me a lot pleasure. It is a variety of enjoyable to be a mother, and so I am simply very grateful to be right here.
I nonetheless see Dr. Le, my oncologist, each six months. We do labs each six months, after which annually with him, I do CT scans. After which with Dr. Hedrick, my surgeon, I see her annually to do scopes or colonoscopies each three years.
Strolling by most cancers actually does change your perspective in life. It simply permits me to be so grateful and grateful for what I’ve with my household, my buddies, my well being, and simply to be grateful and grateful for the issues that we have been given.