|
She dismissed her concerns until after the
Holidays. Prompted by some pain and discomfort in that breast, an
exam was scheduled quickly followed up by a mammogram and the
diagnosis came in February. Gena was diagnosed with Stage 2 Invasive
Ductal Carcinoma Grade 3 with metastasis to her auxiliary lymph
nodes. A PET scan was ordered right away to check for metastasis to
any other parts of the body.
The oncologist planned to treat very aggressively, taking into
account that Gena’s sister passed away from the same type of Cancer.
Genetic testing was done and came back as a BRCA 1 mutation, so the
oncologist’s plan was a bilateral mastectomy followed by a total
hysterectomy.
Gena getting her head shaved by a
friend before chemo Gena
persevered through 20 rounds of chemo over seven months. She
recalled the worst being four rounds of extremely strong chemo,
administered by hand instead of pump because of its thickness. The
“Red Devil” as it’s called was terribly hard on her system. The
second chemo medication elevated her liver enzymes enough that
treatment had to be halted and cut in half for a time.
Gena, Christy, and their children
Gena recalls it being very emotional telling her
family about her diagnosis. Her wife Christy and children Carissa,
Jo, Seth, and Aleaya have been her support system. Gena’s daughters
Carissa and Jo will both be tested for the genetic mutation.
Gena and Christy after Gena got to
ring the bell after completing chemo
Christy said the waiting for results, waiting for
appointments, and waiting in general has been the hardest. For Gena,
not being able to visit her mother in the nursing home during her
treatment was almost unbearable.
September 9th friends and family held a benefit for Gena and family
to assist with costs related to treatment, travel, and time off
work.
[to top of second column]
 |
Gena and daughters Carissa and Jo
Gena’s employer, CRESCO Labs has been awesome and so
supportive during her treatment. Christy and the girls have all
taken time off to help with getting her to appointments as well as
assisting with her recovery.
Memorial Medical Center, through a grant program with the American
Cancer Society, has been able to provide Gena with gas cards to help
offset the cost.
Gena lost her mother on September 11, 2023, just two days after the
benefit. Memorial services had to be put on hold for a few weeks to
allow Gena to recover from her bilateral mastectomy scheduled for
September 15, 2023.
Gena and Christy following her
bilateral mastectomy
Following her surgery, that day, Christy was able to hear the words
she had been longing to hear. Gena is CANCER FREE!! All of
the lymph nodes as well as the breast tissue came back negative for
any cancer cells.
Now, the road to recovery begins. Because of the aggressive form of
cancer Gena had, she will have five weeks of radiation five days a
week. Since Gena tested so high for ovarian cancer in her gene
mutation she will undergo a complete hysterectomy as soon as she is
physically able after radiation.
Family, friends, and faith have helped the road not seem as bumpy
for Gena and she is eternally grateful for each thought, gesture,
meal, donation, and prayer received. Gena encourages education,
conversation, and awareness. Always reach out to your doctor. if you
detect even the smallest lump or have any symptoms. We are all in
this fight together!
[Lesleigh Bennett with photo from
Gena & Christy] |
