Jill’s Story

Site created on September 26, 2020

About 2 months ago, Jill noticed an enlarged lymph node on her groin. After it didn't go away, she went to see her doctor who didn't seem too concerned, and said they’d watch it for 4 weeks. It got a little bigger instead of smaller... so she was sent to a surgeon on September 16th, 2020. The surgeon prescribed antibiotics (that didn’t help it) and wanted to remove it asap to figure out what it was. So after a covid test (negative), and a brief quarantine (to keep her healthy), Jill had surgery to have the lymph node removed on 9/22/20. Being Superwoman Jill, she worked half a day the next day, duh! 

But on 9/24/20 the dreaded call came-- Cancer. Lymphoma to be exact. Stage TBD.  Aggressive. And really really sucky. 

On 9/25/20 she met with her oncologist and learned that there would be no fall break beach trip as planned, but instead, a pet scan, a bone marrow biopsy, and a chemo port. 

So here we are--
The beautiful, healthy, successful, smart, feisty, and hilarious wife, mom, daughter, sister, teacher, assistant principal, and friend is now locked and loaded and ready to fight. 

This is the place where we will post updates and ways you can help (once there are ways you can help)
This will free up Jonathan and Jill and their family from having to answer all of the questions about all of the things all of the time. It's also a concerted effort to give them a break from their phones. 

We will try to update often - as there are updates-- and we will try to sign so you know who the details came from-- but just a quick code:  if it's feelings-y, it probably me, her friend Lauren. If it's talking about how hot, beautiful and smokin' she is, chances are extremely high that it's Jonathan, and if it's being greatly downplayed and no big deal... it's Jill :)

In the meantime- we pray. We pray for the doctors, the decisions, the plan, the cocktail of drugs-- we pray for Jonathan as he would do anything to protect his wife from this, and in the meantime continues to run a business and be a Dad and watch the love of his life go thru hell. We pray for Hudson, Grant, and Harper who are processing and watching and unsure and hurting-- but who are also used to being very doted on by their very hands on mama and will have to process a change in their normal, on top of everything else. We pray for Jill's parents because what parent can even fathom watching their child fight cancer. We pray for Jill- we know she's strong, we know she's a fighter, we know she can kick all of our butts-- but we need her to kick cancer's butt and to be patient with her body, to be able to stand all the crap they're going to pump into her, and we pray she'll give herself all the grace she gives others. 

And ultimately we pray for healing- quick, miraculous, complete healing, from The One who heals.  
"LORD, my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me." Psalm 30:2 Amen!

Newest Update

Journal entry by Lauren Bowman

Not sure it has sunk in yet, but today I heard my oncologist say, “Your Pet-scan looked great.  You are perfect!”

My scan showed no enlarged lymph nodes which is exactly what we wanted. I go back in 3 months for another scan. If all is well, she will move my next scan out to 6 months. Then to 1 year. 

Tomorrow I get my port out. Praise Jesus. This sucker has bothered me from day 1. 

Thank you to everyone for your prayers, love, gifts, emails, texts and support. We are blown away. 
xoxo

jill

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