Jen's story
Tyler is from Wisconsin. Jen is from Michigan. They met kayaking in Jupiter, Florida, and that was pretty much it. Engaged within six months, married within a year — eloped on a Jupiter beach, then did it again in front of family and friends. They bought a house. They bought an RV. The plan was the Rockies, the West Coast, all of it.
Less than five months into the marriage, Jen was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. What started as little aches turned into the worst nightmare anyone could ever imagine.
Since then: multiple brain surgeries, including two craniotomies and LITT. Weeks of proton radiation at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in Miami — a three-and-a-half-hour drive each way, five days a week. Chemotherapy: round 8 finished, round 9 coming in December. The cancer weakened her left side. She can still walk — just not very good or fast — so a motorized scooter does the heavy lifting. Jen has endured multiple seizures, which we have finally gotten under control.
And she is still here. Still fighting. Still Jen.
Her care team is at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of UHealth — the University of Miami Health System: Dr. Macarena de la Fuente (neuro-oncology), Dr. Ricardo Komotar (neurosurgery), and Dr. Greg Kubicek (radiation oncology).
Why $35,000? Treatment, the long drives to Miami, and keeping a household running while Jen fights — it adds up fast. Every dollar goes to keeping Jen home, treated, and surrounded by the people she loves.
Jen also writes a daily journal in her own voice on the Team Schaefer Facebook page — her words, her fight, day by day.
The road so far
🩶 Why the grey heart?
Grey is the brain cancer awareness color. You'll see 🩶 everywhere Team Schaefer shows up — it's Jen's color, and now it's a whole community's.
