Today, on this early September morning, we need your help.
Meet Jen Roper.
Gorgeous, right?!!!!
Mother of FIVE…four boys and one princess!
Wife.
Daughter.
Sister.
Friend.
and as of this afternoon…
Jen will be a brain tumor survivor.
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| photo courtesy of Maggie Holmes Design |
Here is an excerpt from her blog The Roper's from August 13th and a little background that brought her to surgery today -
"A tumor on my brain?
I immediately began to cry. The lady doing my EEG began to cry. Matt and the Neurologist barely held it together. The questions began to flow....
What do you mean a tumor?
Do you mean cancer?
"We believe the tumor to be malignant."
THIS could not be happening to me. I am 33 years old. I have 5 babies. I run. I exercise. I eat right. I lost my mom when I was 16. I do not deserve anymore big trials, my worst fear is to leave my babies behind.
MY WORST FEAR IS TO LEAVE MY BABIES BEHIND.
In comes the neurosurgeon.
"The tumor is malignant, it is on your motor strip which means it is on the portion of your brain that controls the movement of your face, arms and legs. It is on the right side of your brain. If we are to surgically remove this tumor, there is a good chance you will lose function of the entire left side of your body and this could be permanent."
"THIS COULD BE PERMANENT."
That was all I could handle. I lost it. I screamed. I cried. I sobbed. I held on to Matt for dear life. This was the worst news ever. My life would never be the same.
I called Jess. I cried. She cried. Hard. We sobbed, we screamed. I did the same thing again with Julie and again with my dad and again with Matt.
Why?
Why is this happening to me? I cannot leave my babies. My babies have to have a mom. They HAVE to have a mom.
Matt and I decided almost immediately that I would have to get the tumor removed regardless of the risk involved. A mom is still a mom even if she is in a wheelchair.
I'm strong. I'm a fighter. I do not do anything half way. If there is a chance I could walk again, I will do it.
I WILL DO IT."
Today, Jen is going into surgery at 7:30 am to have the tumor removed.
Here is where we need your help.
We know the power of our amazing Annie & Isabel army.
We are asking you to surround Jen with LOVE today. We want Jen to wake up to hundreds of comments on our Facebook page. We asked Jen's permission to share her incredible journey and she said the more healing thoughts and prayers sent her way, the better!
Last time we asked you for this, we had thousands of likes on FB, shares, stories, and messages for 16 year old Carly when she woke up from open heart surgery. It was so special for Carly to wake up to so many encouraging messages. She felt so loved and we thank you for making that happen.
So, let's do this like we know how! LIKE this post on our Facebook page and leave some words of encouragement to show Jen, her husband, and their beautiful children that there are many people thinking and praying for her today.
Thank you to Jen's friends Drew and Stephanie, who bought her our Susan gown. This is Jen Pre-Op in her Susan gown this morning and she looks pretty stylish!! You can tell she has a great spirit with that beautiful smile!!
Hugs to you Jen. Thinking good thoughts for you today!!
This is such a beautiful story!!! Saying lots of prayers for her right now. God can do anything! <3
ReplyDeleteGood Luck!! This brings tears to my eyes when I read this. In May of 2011 my mom was diagnosed with a brain tumor and also had to undergoe surgery to remove this. Her surgery was in july 2011 and it lasted almost 12 hours. And I am proud to say that my mom came out with flying colors!! She looked this tumor in the face and said, "I cannot leave my children and family behind!" I know that is what you doing as well, Jen. Lots of good thoughts being sent you way!! xx
ReplyDeleteThis is a heartbreaking story. I can't believe that such a beautiful and healthy woman was diagnosed with cancer. Sometimes life is so unfair, especially in this instance it is incredibly unfair. Please accept my best wishes to Jen.
ReplyDeleteI believe in you! You can do this. Prayers and healing energy going out to you from so many. Miracles happen every day and you can have one today. Cancer, you picked the wrong lady to mess with cause she is gonna win not you!
ReplyDeleteanyone (especially moms) reading this is rooting for you! your children are beautiful and are blessed to have such a positive, strong, resilient mom! thinking and praying for you! take care, and thanks for sharing your story!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your story! You are an amazing and courageous woman! You children are so blessed to have you as their sweet mother who loves them all so very much. Continue to lean on your husband for support and your positive attitude and faith will get you through this difficult trial in your life. I'll be praying and thinking about you today and for a fast and speedy recovery!:D
ReplyDeleteI echo the sentiments expressed by the others. You are a child of God and therefor you are worthy of his best blessings. Your family is clear evidence of this. We all wish you the best to come and it will come.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Anonymous but your "brother" in and with Christ
In 1967 my mother had to have a hysterectomy and 'female repairs'. She had just had my baby sister which was only weeks old. She too worried "If something happens to me, who will raise my 6 children". I had a dead-beat dad who was never around so she could not depend on him! I have 2 girls, and when they were little, I had surgeries too. Like you, I have a wonderful husband - yet even then, I too, worried about "what if something happened to me". It is a 'Mother's natural instinct'. You have a BEAUTIFUL FAMILY!! With all your love and support and the many prayers you are receiving, I hope you go through your surgery with flying colors!!! I said my prayers for you and I hope all goes well. God Bless you and your Family!!! Wishing you a speedy recovery!!
ReplyDeleteGod be with you and your family...God send your Angels to surround this family and bring support beyond their comprehension...You are an amazing God and nothing is beyond your reach. Let her feel your continual presence knowing that you have her in the palm of your hand.. I lift this family to you for peace, comfort and joy during this trial. We love you and Praise you Lord...
ReplyDeleteWow, I have tears here flowing down my face, and I have never met you, but my God I am certainly praying for you and believing God that you will be around for a loooong time to come, and that you will be a great testimony to your family and others.
ReplyDeletePlease God be with her
ReplyDeletegod bless hun sending lots of positive thoughts to you and your family
ReplyDeletelove jill martin xxx
May God Bless and protect you. Saying prayers for you family too.
ReplyDeleteGood luck and sending all our love
ReplyDeletexxxxxxx
The Masons
Sheffield UK
Anonymous Good Luck and sending prayers to you and your family
ReplyDeleteI'm rooting for you. Much love.
ReplyDeleteOMG that was hard to read but know lots of people are sending thoughts and prayers to you and your family. FIGHT ON! Beat this!
ReplyDeleteGO BEAT THAT NASTY TUMOUR!!!! When it realises that you are strong and tough and are willing to fight back it will run off with its tail between its legs and you can get on with seeing your family grow up....GO GIRL..Love to you x x
ReplyDeleteJen, I do not know you, but I am a mother of 3. I understand deeply your fear of leaving your children, as I losty dad when I was very young. The fear becomes part of our DNA. I few years back my doctors found a malignant melanoma on my back, I was 38. Fortunately they removed it before it spread, but I do understand your fear. I pray for you and your family. I prayer for your best outcome it seems that you have many people that love you! Coincidentally I read an article on fb lady night about a study of the positive effects of medicinal marijuana on shrinking brain tumors have your family google the studies it sounds amazing!
ReplyDeletePraying for your healing and peace. Hugs to you and your beautiful family!
ReplyDeleteI don't know u, but I know that fighting spirit that u have to be their for your kids!! Sending u my thoughts and prayers to get through this difficult time! X X
ReplyDeleteYou are a beautiful woman and have a beautiful family. You can beat this. Thinking of you and your family at this time and wishing you a very speedy recovery. Lots of love to you all. xx
ReplyDeleteGod never leaves His children alone, I don't know you but I know Him, and He is good and trust in Him alone to do what you can't, let Him give you strength let Him carry you in His righteous hand, and know that with Him everything is possible.. God Bless you and your family
ReplyDeleteYou are in my thoughts and prayers. I was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago at the age of 28. My daughter was 2 years old and the only thing I can think about when they told me that I had cancer was I cant leave my daughter without a mother. You have to stay strong and positive for your children and you will beat this.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Zhanna
www.lifeandbows.com
I appreciate your information on the Brain tumour. I wrote about this, too, recently. More specifically about the causes and cure to Brain tumour.
ReplyDelete