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My name is not Elaine
Friends and family are rallying around a young Vernon woman battling breast cancer.
Jessica Tetz was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer this past spring, says her cousin Tegan on a GiveSendGo online fundraiser page.
Tegan says TNBC "is known to be a more aggressive and harder to treat."
"Currently, due to her chemo treatments, she is unable to work," says friend Megean Dahms.
"She just purchased her first home here in Vernon in the last year before discovering the news about her health. EI doesn't pay much at all, so she is really struggling to make ends meet."
Chemotherapy to shrink the tumour is expected to be followed by surgery and finally radiation treatments to prevent recurrence.
The chemo treatments began in July, and Jessica will now be off work for several months.
She received her second round of chemotherapy in August, with six more to follow.
"Overall, she's been doing well. Staying close to home as she tires easily and feels nauseated," said her cousin.
Jessica started cutting her hair shorter each week to prepare herself for losing her hair during chemo and finally took the plunge "and buzzed it all off ... It looks amazing," wrote Tegan.
However a gene specialist appointment resulted in glum news.
"Jessica tested positive for an abnormal BRCA1. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are suppressor genes that usually have the job of controlling cell growth and cell death. Everyone has two BRCA1 and two BRCA2 genes. When a person has one altered or mutated copy of either the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene, their risk for various types of cancer increases."
With that follows the risk of having the breast cancer reoccur and potential ovarian.
A BRCA1 mutation comes with an average 65 per cent lifetime risk for breast cancer; 40-60 per cent lifetime risk for a second breast cancer; and average 39 per cent lifetime risk for ovarian cancer.
The Jessica’s Breast Cancer Journey fundraiser has a goal of $25,000.
Organizers are also hoping to host a silent auction for her in early December.
