Yes, I Have Cancer. Here's Everything We Know So Far...

On Friday, June 3rd, 2022, I was diagnosed with cancer. At 36 years old, this was not something I was prepared to deal with, but here we are.

Earlier in May, I started having a pain in my lower abdomen, and after an ultrasound they found a complex adnexal mass in my left ovary. We made plans to schedule surgery, but after the pain intensified, a trip to the ER resulted in a 12 day hospital stay.

They were set to remove the mass on June 3rd and send me home the same day, but what they found in surgery was not something any of us expected. The mass, which turned out to be malignant, was not only in my left ovary but had attached itself to my uterine wall, cervix and the outside tissue of my bowel. It was also growing around, or encasing, my ureter, which is the line that passes urine from the kidney to the bladder. Because of my ureter’s involvement, I’ve had pain that mimics that of a kidney stone and also mild swelling of my kidney.

Unfortunately, they were not able to remove all of the cancer around my ureter, as it would have caused more damage than good. So at the moment, I cannot say that I am “cancer free.” Further treatment and possibly another surgery will be required, but we have a ton of unanswered questions as we wait for the final pathology report, which is expected this week.

I am still in quite a bit of pain post-surgery, and all of your well wishes and prayers are so appreciated.

Watch my journey to figure out what was wrong with me:

To send well wishes via regular mail, please send to:
Jessica & Brian Krock
1720 Market St # 771902
Saint Louis, MO 63177

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We are a married couple who started on a life-changing whole food, plant-based weight loss journey in June 2018.

Follow along with our "Adventure":

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Check out Brian's Music:

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[KrocksInTheKitchen]

Watch the journey I went through to figure out what was wrong with me:


To send well wishes via regular mail, please send to:
Jessica & Brian Krock
1720 Market St # 771902
Saint Louis, MO 63177

[suzanneb]

I had a similar cancer when I was 26. I'm now 60. Hang in there, you'll make it through this!

[shess]

Hey Jessica…. In 2010, after 6 months of surgical biopsies, I learned I had a stage 4 cancer…. Once they figured out what I had, they blasted me with chemo and it totally worked. Two years later, I noticed something was wrong and I was diagnosed with an early stage endometrial cancer. That was resolved surgically. It’s been 10 years since I’ve had cancer!!! You are young and have excellent support in all the important ways. You’ll do what you need to do and you’ll get to the point where you’ll do what I’m doing…. Saying you once had cancer and you’ll boost the spirit of those who are new to the experience. You’re going to be OK : )

[libbyreed]

A wonderful “cost effective”way to help Jessica along in her journey is to watch her videos all the way through. Watch any of her videos until the end, with the adds, the sound on, Youtube will not pay out if sound is muted. Just let them play in the background. This will generate added revenue that she can apply toward her treatments. It’s free to watch and share the videos.

[janinelindsey]

May I suggest...Do whatever your doctors say are the steps you need to take. Eat as clean a diet as possible. Try not to worry. Talk, talk, talk it out with cancer support groups...Stage 3 breast cancer survivor x 20 years ago.

[maryamory]

My sister had an aggressive cervical cancer at age 33, while planning her wedding.
I believe it was stage four.
She will be 64 this August.
I will pray for you.
Do all you can to destress.
Take a break from this all when you need to.
Take care of you.❤️

[tabythaseward]

Notes from a Cancer Servivor. 1. Let people give and do for you, it is their way of helping and show they love and care for you. 2. The american Cancer Society was a great support for me when I was battling cancer many years ago. They had a program which helped pay for housing near my treatment center. So I could travel a day or two before treatment and be rested and ready on treatments day, rather than getting up at dawn to drive for hours before all day treatments. 3. One day at a time, one task at a time. 4. Rest and Self care for you and Brian is so important- surround yourself with a good support system- Family and Friends.

[sewobscura]

Jessica, I know you can do this! I know you can do this, because 3 years ago I began a very similar cancer journey. I had several rounds of chemo, and 25 radiation treatments. Afterwards I began my whole food, plant-based diet, and you and Brian have helped inspire and encourage me! You are so blessed to have Brian and your Mom, and the other wonderful people in your life. You two are such genuine, kind people. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.

[eleanoraquitaine]

That bike ride may have gotten you diagnosed a lot sooner than otherwise. You got this, girl. You have a good man who loves you, you eat healthy, and thousands of people are either praying for you or sending powerful good vibes.

[romyf.]

Dear Jessica, I feel you. I had ovarian cancer at 32, just had my 2nd baby and luckily found Chris Wark from Chris beat cancer. PLEASE look up his website. He's a 15 year stage 4 cancer survivor and has a more natural way to fight cancer. He also interviews lots of survivors and their healing story.
Sending you lots of strength.

[amyluvslouie]

Hi Jessica, I remember this time in my life! Wow! So scary & heart wrenching especially for a Mom. I was 42yrs old & diagnosed with a terminal form of Breast Cancer Triple Neg- in 2010 the outcome was grim. Guess what? I’m still here. Lots of hard hard work with Chemo, radiation and surgeries. But you can and WILL RECOVER. Every moment you are alive you are one step closer to many cure or the ability to treat cancer as a persistent illness that you can survive many years. I will pray for you sweet girl ♥️ Wish I could give you a BIG HUG

[Larry]

I'm a retired RN. Mostly in an Open Heart ICU. I did a stint for a number of years as an oncology nurse. Huge progress has been made in cancer treatment. Hang in. Will be thinking of you. You've got an army of folks behind you!!

[senioradministrator]

Jessica, I’ll just add to the many replies : hang in there !
I’m 21 yrs cancer free after being diagnosed at age 36 !!
My kids were 5 and 12 . - I had no choice I needed to fight through. And I did!
Then in 2016 ( 15 yrs on, ) diagnosed with breast cancer at stage 00.
A mastectomy later,
And here I am today . The GranB of a Bonny boy ( the love of my life!)
And still going strong!
Chin up girl, with the improvement in treatment you stand a much better chance than I did in 2001.
I’ll be praying for you. 🙏🙏

[helenmcnulty]

Dearest Jessica- get yourself a beautiful notebook to record all your doctor visits and information. I did this when I had breast cancer in 2006. It really helped to record the facts and to help keep them straight and to throw in how I was feeling. You can do this and we are all with you. I am cancer free ❤️ and recording the facts and feelings helped me to stay grounded and to see the time line of my treatment. You will be up and down and that is okay!! Be kind to yourself. Love you and Brian bunches 💕

[rls]

Just picked my brother up from the hospital after cancer surgery, lost my Father and Sister in 2000 from cancer. It's unnerving and all encompassing, Although we move on...

[marialeach]

About 35 years ago my brother went through liver cancer. It was discovered during a gall bladder surgery. Doctors said it was too far gone to do much about it. But, eventually about half his liver was taken out, and he was given about three months to live. He went through a VERY difficult time. But, as I said that was 35 years ago. Praise the Lord my brother is still here with us! Be strong, girl and may the Lord bless you with many more years of life.

[cruisingwithcarrie]

I went in for a routine hysterectomy. The surgeon couldn't get the probes in. Found I had cervical and ovarian cancer. Had my appendix removed, scraped my intestines, removed omentum, full hysterectomy, and several other things. 6 years later, I'm in remission and mine is a very rare cancer. Good luck to you...be strong! There is hope!

[happyandjoyful]

Chris Beat Cancer has so many success stories on his channel and website. He’s so encouraging.💕Praying for you and sending love to you.🙏💕

[patriciabernreuter]

I was diagnosed with cancer when my girls were toddlers and my son was 5 months old. I was 27… I’m 25 years older now and wow! What a journey it’s been!! Yes! Not letting the cancer control life is a good goal, but realizing it’s the number one focus to HEAL and be kind to YOU, is very important. It’s hard to do that for women who have families and I pray you have strong family support. That means everything.
It isn’t brave if you aren’t scared!!
Just keep swimming!! Dory was, and is still, my mantra….
You are stronger than you feel, smarter than you know, and loved.

[joshuasmith]

Hang in there, Jessica. Cancer is a scary word but everyone's cancer journey is different. My mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer stage 3C at the age of 39. This was in 1997 and treatment options were exceptionally limited. It was basically surgery and very toxic chemotherapy, that was it. I will tell you just from experience and from working in medicine that there are so many new targeted treatment options available as far a chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, etc that are so much less toxic and don't cause as many side effects. And this goes for all different kinds of cancers not just ovarian, so if it turns out to be something else just know that there are treatment options. One thing I would recommend (and this was something that my mom was great at) is becoming a staunch advocate for yourself and your healthcare. What do I mean? Ask questions, ask as many questions as possible. If you don't like a doctor's answers, find a new one. Get as many second opinions as you want, go to a big cancer institution (MD Anderson, Mayo, UCLA, Memorial Sloan Kettering), ask about clinical trials. If you're in pain tell your doctor, if you're nauseated tell your doctor. Just advocate for yourself.

As for those medical bills, because of the No Surprises Act which became law this year, the out of network surgeries or physicians/surgeons that you saw cannot be billed as out of network because this was an emergency situation and you would have no way of knowing those physicians or services being provided would be out of network. You also did not have a choice in the matter because again this was an emergency, so they CANNOT bill you as an out of network service. You're right that you will still owe your max out of pocket amount for the year, but don't let the hospital dick you around and say they are out of network. All you have to say is "No Surprises Act", and all hospitals are REQUIRED to follow this law or face hefty fines and penalties such as losing the ability to be reimbursed my Medicare/Medicaid.

I know I'm a complete stranger, but I wanted to leave you some encouragement because your story resonated with me and I know my mom would have wanted me to show you some kindness and send support through the computer to you. Also, when she was diagnosed in 1997 she was given 6 months to live....she lived for 17 years. Doctors don't get to make that decision for you