Jenna’s Fox Chase Journey
Nobody expects to get cancer in their 20’s, but Jenna was diagnosed at age 28 with Hodgkin lymphoma. Already living with CRPS - a nerve condition that causes chronic pain in her feet, Jenna was receiving a port to treat the CRPS pain in 2022 when her doctors noticed some large lymph nodes on her chest X-ray. 24 hours later a CT scan revealed she needed to see an oncologist, and within a week she was sitting across from Dr. Stacy Su, the Chief of Thoracic Surgery at Fox Chase Cancer Center discussing next steps. A biopsy and a PET scan confirmed that Jenna had Hodgkin lymphoma.
Facing a cancer diagnosis at 28 brings its own set of challenges. Jenna had to make fast decisions regarding fertility preservation before she could start chemotherapy, something she never expected to do at such a young age. On top it all, Jenna was balancing the rest of her busy life at the same time as cancer treatment. “Chemo was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but I’m proud I got through it. I was actually in school at the time, completing a two-year program in medical coding. I finished the semester with a 4.0!”
Now, 4 years since her diagnosis, Jenna sees her medical oncologist, Dr. Shazia Nakhoda, every four months for follow-up appointments. “I wish I could say that everything has been easy since finishing treatment, but actually, survivorship is tough…It’s been tough emotionally. I have a totally different mindset. You can’t face your mortality in your 20’s and not be changed.”
Paws for the Cause proved to be a highlight of Jenna’s journey at Fox Chase. She and her mom attended their first event in 2022, two months after her first chemo treatment. She raises money each year through her team Jenna Does Paws, and the event has become a treasured tradition for her and her mom.
We are thrilled to have Jenna representing all Fox Chase Cancer Center patients as our Patient Ambassador this year!
To read Jenna’s full patient story, check out her testimonial here https://www.foxchase.org/patient-stories/jenna-meyer
Dr. Chris Cann – Pioneering Comprehensive Cancer Care for Young Adults
Medical Oncologist Dr. Christopher Cann, MD, has seen firsthand the rise in cancer in young adults and has been on the front lines of addressing the unique challenges their patient age group faces. Dr. Cann serves as the Director of the Young Adult Cancer Program at Fox Chase, the first program specifically for young adult cancer patients (ages 18-39) in Philadelphia.
Dr. Cann and his team understand that young adults face challenges extending beyond their medical treatment - how to navigate work or school considerations, fertility and sexual health concerns, financial implications, relationship dynamics, psychosocial issues and more. Balancing the unexpected diagnosis of cancer and the side effects of treatment while managing the stressors of young adulthood is extremely difficult, and his team is there to help patients during this challenging time.
We are grateful that Dr. Cann is serving as our Paws for the Cause Physician Ambassador this year, harnessing the energy of his fellow faculty members to support this much loved, community event!
To learn more about the Young Adult Cancer Program at Fox Chase Cancer Center, visit their website here https://www.foxchase.org/support/young-adult