Today, for the Women's History Month project, we are celebrating this gorgeous and kind woman
Meet, Jennifer Weiss, 48, mother of 2, a loving and caring Nursing student, and a warrior...
“A woman with a voice is, by definition, a strong woman. But the search to find that voice can be remarkably difficult.” Melinda Gates
Jennifer was born on March 8, international woman’s day. It wasn’t until she was an adult facing her own barriers that she would ever have understood the core values this day represented or quite honestly even existed. She was raised in Lyman Maine, a small rural area where each neighbor is friends with one another. The indescribable beauty of the many open fields and pastureland always held such strong attraction and serenity with Jennifer since she was a young child. So much, she raised her two sons in this same town most of their lives who are now 29, and 27. They will probably attest saying some of their favorite years were working in agriculture in many of those fields.
Jennifer raised her two boys with such pride and joy that she devoted all her available time to them. Becoming a mom at 17 didn’t change her plans in life it just placed them in different orders of priority. She co-parented with her oldest son’s father and was a single parent with her youngest even though he had enough adult figures to fill in any void left unfilled. Her mom was a lot of help, being in places if Jen was working, which she was so very thankful for. Her mom had Jennifer at a young age also and when Jennifer left H.S. in her Junior year due to adversity in her life at the time she convinced her mom to return to school with her to earn her high school diploma. They both marched together earning their diplomas as mother and daughter. Jennifer soon after enrolled in York County Community College part time for two years to work on prerequisite to apply for nursing school. Focusing on studying became difficult while working fulltime and striving to be the best mom she possibly could. She chose to put schooling aside until her boys were older, and now looking back does not regret as events in her life and her boys may not have resulted where they all are today.
Having a close family has always been important in her life and she is very proud of the accomplishments of her sons. Her oldest son was a Sergeant in the U.S. Marines, has earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and currently working on his master’s and also his wife who has been a part of the family for many years is completing her OB/GYN residency. Jennifer’s youngest son is working as an apprentice for his journeyman as an electrician and has hopes to one day own his own business.
Jennifer has worked as a CNA/Tech in the ICU for 20 years caring for people in their most vulnerable times. Her passion for caring has led her to a life in healthcare that at times could be challenging yet rewarding at the same time. She has been used to being the one caring for others until the tables had turned August 2015. She was the vulnerable one relying on others to care for her when she was diagnosed with Oropharyngeal cancer completely out of nowhere having no signs or symptoms. This was a life changing experience for Jennifer that gave her the strength and determination to turn the experience into an opportunity for self-awareness.
Head and neck cancer is something you can’t hide under your clothing from your friends and family or just tuck away in your pocket as all your senses are affected from chemo and radiation. Your physical appearance, social interactions, ability to talk, swallow and eat are all effected. Just as so many other women and men included, Jennifer felt ashamed due to the “stigma” that is already labeled on HPV. Jennifer didn’t fit the traditional patient who presented with Oropharyngeal cancer. Her tumor was located in her lymph nodes carrying the virus, so locating a primary site resulted in four surgeries before treatment could even begin. At this time there was no head and neck oncology nurse navigator for New England, nor was their support groups or resources for patients and families for guidance. Thankfully Jennifer’s only sister is an attorney, so having someone so close to her being able to jump in and organize all her doctor visits and take over her care when she knew Jen was overwhelmed provided much comfort. They fought for referrals, searched for options and opinions as her oncologists were not quite sure of a proper treatment due to her age, stage, and location of tumor. She owes a great amount of gratitude to her sister.
Jennifer fought her way through each treatment, that wasn’t pretty by any means, but she fought with such dignity and self-respect, always holding her head high smiling every day even though inside she just wanted to scream and cry but also feeling ashamed still only sharing her story among her close network of family and friends. Jennifer was that percentage of cases you hear when going over side effects before any procedure. Today she is cancer free but is reminded daily of the side effects of radiation. She was diagnosed with Osteoradionecrosis in November 2019 just as the world was locking down for Covid-19. Jennifer was being locked into a hyperbaric chamber five days a week for three hours to help heal an infection from an incision not able to close in her jaw due to radiation. She would show up often with treats for the employees knowing what it was like on the other side as she was leaving after for her own 12-hour shift. In a follow-up scan a rare find showed a mass as a result of her radiation on her spine. This has shown to be stable and is scheduled to be scanned yearly for any change in growth. Is she scared, a little, yet she still remains positive that things will work out for the best?
Jennifer feels she was meant to go through cancer not to just survive it but to be aware of and create something positive from the experience. She has gone to workshops in large organizations and fought for material to be made available to the public about cancer that individuals typically don’t hear a lot about. She has not been heard on numerous occasions which infuriated her. This has given Jennifer the power and will to maintain her schooling for her BSN with the goal of being that head and neck navigator to other’s she once needed herself. She no longer hides her story from others, and she is no longer ashamed of who she is as she is no different than any other person. If she can help find comfort for others, then it was all worth it. If not, then she hopes her journey finds some kind of purpose for her nieces in later years that they may find the same passion to help others in need.
Jennifer finds a great amount of pleasure and enjoyment for exploring mountain ranges and has climbed 23 of the 48 New Hampshire 4000-foot mountain ranges. This has been very therapeutic for her and a way to be one with nature and feel at peace.
Having been raised around strong women has given her the strength and survival skills that allowed her to overcome many obstacles in her life. Cancer is not always a death sentence; it can be a way to educate the young or broaden the ones needing more knowledge. Humor is what kept her alive inside throughout her treatment, even when she was feeling her weakest. But for all this she is now stronger and has been able to mentor others in similar situations throughout the U.S.
Here are a few more of Jennifer's favorite quotes:
"Be free. Be true. Be you."
"Self-care is not an expense. It’s an investment."
“I am learning every day to allow the space between where I am and where I want to be to inspire me and not terrify me.” Tracee Ellis Ross
“If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, then, you are an excellent leader.” Dolly Parton
“Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.” Nora Ephron
*****
Thank you, Jennifer, for sharing your journey with us all!
#whm #womenshistorymonth #womanpower #womensupportingwomen #mainephotographer
5 Comments
Mar 31, 2022, 1:38:01 PM
Judy with Friend for Life Cancer Support Network - So very grateful for you, Jennifer!
Mar 17, 2022, 8:04:24 AM
Julie Markee - Jen, YOU are a rock star!!! Your Brunswick girls Love you!!!
Mar 17, 2022, 3:20:39 AM
Sue Lefebvre - Jen, You are a true inspiration! Beautiful inside and out! You are an amazing friend, mother, daughter and incredible women! You are loved
Mar 16, 2022, 8:49:03 PM
Coleen Simpson - Jen, you are a warrior !
Mar 16, 2022, 8:04:40 PM
Deborah Harriman - Jennifer you are truly an inspiration to all women, I am truly proud to call you my friend. You and your family have been part of my family for so many years. I can honestly and proudly say that I love you Jenn ❤️