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Faces of Blue UPDATED: Jennifer Welker

By February 1, 2017Faces of Blue
Team photo from Austin Race

Jennifer first shared her story in March 2016. Since being published, she has had a recurrence, and is now a stage IV survivor. After undergoing a lung and liver resection, Jennifer is returning to Faces of Blue to update us on her continued fight, and renewed desire to continue raising awareness.

Get Your Rear in Gear Survivor bibAfter getting my first round of follow-up scans in January 2016, I was declared to be free of cancer and was positive I was finished with my cancer journey. I began volunteering in a patient match program and volunteering at the local oncology clinic. I was passionate about sharing my experiences, and also spreading hope to fellow patients. I met so many amazing people that influenced me and taught me so much more than I gave them.  In February 2016, we participated with a team of 14 in Get Your Rear in Gear – Austin. Our team, Welker’s Warriors, walked proudly in our blue shirts in honor of my victory, and the fight of others we have known fighting this disease.

When my second round of follow-up scans were done in April, a small (2.5mm) spot was detected on my lung. Another spot was detected in my pelvis. This sent me into a panic. After an MRI, it was determined that the pelvic spot was just scar tissue and the lung spot should just be watched. It made me nervous to wait, but I put it out of my mind and we just went on with our life.  Our family traveled and had new experiences, and I continued to volunteer.

In July 2016, at my next round of follow-ups, the lung nodule had grown a little more. My CEA tumor marker jumped quite a bit as well, signifying that the nodule might be cancerous.  We were referred to a thoracic surgeon that would start counseling us on surgical options in the next few months. On the same day of my follow up appointment, I ended up hospitalized with a small bowel obstruction. Coincidentally, it was our 14th wedding anniversary. Once again, our family and friends rallied around us and we continued to wait until the October follow-ups.

In October 2016, the oncologist scheduled my first ever PET scan to check for any other activity. Surprising to all of us, the PET showed a tumor in my liver as well as the tumor we had been watching in my lung. My CEA had climbed to a much high number. We began discussing surgical options, chemo options, and specialist appointments. I was officially a stage IV rectal cancer patient. Both tumors were operable, so that was good news. I proceeded with surgeon appointments and a referral to MD Anderson for other options. We discussed that chemo would begin very soon.

In November 2016, I had a section of liver removed laparoscopically. My recovery was quick and we moved on to a consult at MD Anderson. That doctor recommended no chemo and instead to proceed with the lung resection. He explained my chances of recurrence and gave me new hope. In January 2017, I had a right upper lobe resection by VATS.

My next follow up is in March 2017, and I feel confident that it will be great! Cancer has taken a lot of things from me and my family over the past 2 1/2 years, but it has also given me many things – hope, faith, and a new desire to help others. I hope to return to volunteering in the next few months so that I can continue to share my story and encourage others. I also hope to get back to training to run that 10K this year. My life is truly a gift, and I hope to do the most that I can with it.

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