Cancer survivor gives back

The Loop recently learned of an amazing young cancer survivor by the name of Jennifer Kochanski (or Jenn) from Jim Wallace of the Tehachapi CANCER FOUNDATION. He felt that her story could possibly help others who are dealing with cancer. On meeting her I was even very impressed by her grace, beauty and the candor with which she told the story of her journey with cancer.

Jim met Jenn when, after moving to Tehachapi last fall, her family discovered that their new home had no central heat. They contacted Jim Wallace for help. The Foundation was able to locate a donation of a half cord of wood. Now Jenn's husband, Marcus, gets up early every morning and starts a fire in their fireplace to heat the living room.

At the age of thirty-seven, Jenn has been through more trauma than any one person should ever have to endure and yet she maintains a positive attitude and feels that she may be able to help other patients who are struggling with cancer.

On Feb. 24, 2011, Jenn was diagnosed with invasive ductal breast cancer. After a lumpectomy, she was told that she would need four rounds of chemotherapy. Unfortunately, her body could only handle three. Following her second round of chemo she was hospitalized for seven days with an infection. She came down with pneumonia after her third round, and had to be injected with Nuepogen to boost her immune system. These shots were administered by either Jenn or her husband, Marcus. This was followed by six weeks of radiation at the Florence R. Wheeler Cancer Center in Bakersfield. "They were amazing," said Jenn of her treatment there.

After five reconstructive surgeries, Jenn began having stomach problems. A hiatal hernia was repaired and it was discovered that the chemotherapy and steroids had left holes in her stomach. The resulting surgery removed 70 percent of her stomach, leaving her with a stomach about the size of a banana. Jenn can eat only about half to one cup of food at a time, every three to four hours. Pain management consists of children's Motrin,and the pills must be dissolved before consumption.

Jenn says her family is her greatest support. Marcus, her "soul mate and best friend", has been there every step of the way. As have her children, 18-year-old Zachary, and 16-year-old Brittany. Fortunately, Marcus was able to work graveyard shift during Jenn's long ordeal, so he could be available to help.

She told me of the time Brittany came home from school and found her pulling out her hair by the handful. Her daughter kept saying, "Mommy, it's OK!" Jenn added that when her hair grew back it had gone from light and straight to dark and curly. She now has to straighten her hair.

Jenn has been in remission for almost three years, but must have a mammogram every six months. She knows that breast cancer runs in her family.

Her mother has had cancer, a hysterectomy and a double mastectomy. A very close cousin just lost her battle with breast and bone cancer on February 6, 2015.

Jenn had encouraged her sister to get tested, and a genetics test was recommended for both of them. The tests showed that both sisters and their brother have the BRCA1 gene mutation, which means that Jenn's cancer will most likely come back. She knows that her children will also have to be tested. As a result of this testing Jenn has had a hysterectomy and has decided to have a double mastectomy with reconstruction this spring.

As part of her recovery, Jenn took part in the "Look Good, Feel Better" program at the Comprehensive Blood and Cancer Center (CBCC) in Bakersfield. They taught her how to apply make-up and how to make herself feel attractive. It helped her self-image so much that she believed that this would be a way to give back and help other women suffering from cancer.

She went to school in Bakersfield for six months to become an esthetician. When she moved to Tehachapi she found the perfect place to practice at Isle of Skye Day Spa in Old Town.

Jenn will give free facials and make-up application lessons to anyone needing an image boost in their cancer journey.

She crocheted beanies with flowers on them for herself while undergoing chemo and now she is making them for others. Her interest in photography has sparked the idea of doing a survivor calendar that may be titled, "Bald is Beautiful".

The ideas keep coming.

Jenn and Marcus have been married for 19 years, and they are way overdue for a vacation. He returned from Iraq in October of 2010, and she was diagnosed in February 2011. For their 20th wedding anniversary (and Marcus' 40th birthday) they are planning to take the honeymoon they never. They will be renewing their vows as well.

In the meantime, Jenn can be contacted at Isle of Skye Day Spa.

For an appointment call her on her cell at (661) 301-2272.

The Tehachapi CANCER FOUNDATION can be found online at Facebook and their website TehachapiCancerFoundation.org.