I had the incredible humbling honor of capturing a family photo shoot for Jennifer, her husband Edgar and their three beautiful children this past weekend. They had the amazing opportunity to have a family vacation to Sunriver through a “Make a Wish” with Umpqua Bank and a local radio station. I connected with this family right away. And felt the need to do more to help other then a portrait session. Here is Jennifer’s story!
Jennifer Vargas was 30 years old when she was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. This is a type of breast cancer that does not respond to the three main courses of treatment and is known to grow rapidly. Jenn was 4 months pregnant with her third child when she found out about the cancer. Due to its rapid nature, chemotherapy was started immediately and continued throughout the duration of her pregnancy. Her son Samuel was born several weeks premature and caring for him was difficult in the first few months as she was still undergoing treatment and not feeling her best. Within that first year upon diagnosis Jenn underwent a double mastectomy. To take precautions, it was soon followed by a hysterectomy. Neither of these procedures went well for her. Her body didn’t heal properly or as quickly as doctors had hoped. She suffered blood clots, severe lymphedema and a number of other complications that kept her in the hospital for long periods of time.
When Jenn was given the news that she had gone into remission and her other vital organs were clear…it was a great day! She had her future to look forward to and thus began planning for her breast reconstruction phase. With this, doctors continued to vacillate about the appropriate procedure. She was in limbo for many months before a conclusion was made to have breast “expanders” put in. Their job is to soften and expand the remaining breast tissue in preparation for synthetic breasts or other type of implant. Again, trouble struck as only one side of her chest took to the expander. Frustration for Jenn just became a part of her life as she had to battle with insurance, doctors, and the denial of certain procedures. Yet she continued to remain hopeful that somehow she would be able to have breast reconstruction.
In May of 2011 Jennifer and her daughter Maile (10) did their first local breast cancer walk in Bend. What a wonderful day together celebrating the victory over the cancer. Just 4 days later (also her birthday week) Jennifer was having laborious breathing which landed her in the emergency room. It was there that she found out her cancer had metastasized severely throughout her lungs. The following Monday she met with her doctor who set up a variety of further scans and tests etc. Sadly, the cancer was found aggressively growing in her brain with very large and multiple tumors, her liver, spinal fluid and lymph node system. Her doctor gave her a best case scenario of maybe 6 months to a year.
After this tragic news and shock to the family, Jennifer quickly underwent more chemotherapy as well as radiation to keep up the fight. She spent this summer in treatment and just fighting to have good days. Her doctor told her she needed to have another procedure done to remove the breast expanders which would allow them to do a scan of her entire body enabling them to detect other places the cancer may have spread. Her recovery from this procedure didn’t go well and she continued to feel very sick which put her back into the hospital 2 times for several days. Her doctor had given her some hope that she could participate in an aggressive type of chemotherapy in Seattle. Jenn and her husband were prepared to leave for Seattle on November 6th. On November 5th Jenn was admitted yet again to the hospital for severe pain and vomiting. It was during this hospital stay the she was told the brain cancer had progressed so much that she was no longer a candidate for the treatment in Seattle. The doctor thus told her that she had two months or less to live and there just weren’t any other options. And all hope was crushed!
Jennifer is now under the care of Hospice for end of life pain management and other end of life services. She is spending her days at home in her own bed and with her family by her side. Her daily care takers have included her husband Edgar, children Maile (10), Dominic (9) and Samuel (3) as well as her wonderful mother Linda and her mother in law Rosario. Her twin brothers Darrell and David have been here from Kentucky (Jennifer’s home) for a few weeks as well to spend as much time with her as possible. Family and friends and other’s in the community have rallied along with the family to show support and help in any way possible. Though we can’t change her outcome, it is important to provide hope to the children and family for the future.
I’m determined to help in any way that I can… other then providing a photography session for this amazingly family. My birthday is December 19th… as well as my son Johnny’s 8th birthday. We will be celebrating at Pappy’s Pizza here in Bend. And would LOVE nothing more then your visit to Celebrate LIFE!!!! and to show our love and support to the Vargas family. 50% of all sales from Pappy’s Pizza on Dec 19th go to The Vargas Family…. But the requirement is that you have to have a coupon!!!! Very important. So if you are interested in joining us on Dec 19th at Pappy’s Pizza in Bend or if you would like to make a donation PLEASE SEND US AN EMAIL @ kkayphotography@bendbroadband.com You will need this flyer for Pappy’s Pizza!
You can also go to Selco Credit Union on HWY 20 and Sterling Savings Bank on HWY 97 and make a donation to the Jennifer and Edgar Vargas Family Fund
Jennifer Vargas – Caring Bridge www.caringbridge.org/visit/jennifervargas
PLEASE FEEL FREE TO LEAVE A COMMENT FOR THE VARGAS FAMILY ON THIS BLOG POST!!!
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