Jacki is living proof that there is hope no matter how difficult your situation may look at the time.
Jacki Garrison was diagnosed with breast cancer just three months after her wedding at the age of 29. Her prognosis was excellent. She had a lumpectomy and radiation and hoped that chapter of her life was closed. After being cancer free for four years, she and her husband decided to start their family. Their prayers were answered when their first daughter was born. Three years later, they were pregnant with their second child.
Cancer free for seven years, she was not so concerned about the hip pain she started to experience. But after extensive testing during her pregnancy, the cause of the pain was found. Jacki had a recurrence of her breast cancer that required major reconstructive surgery during her pregnancy.
Her first concern was her child’s survival. She had tremendous support from her team of physicians who did an extraordinary job in performing the surgery and maintaining the pregnancy. After multiple hospital stays, being on complete bed rest and having to endure significant pain, Jacki delivered her daughter, Sarah, at 30 weeks, weighing 2.5 pounds and measuring 15 inches long.
Since Sarah’s birth, the Infusion Center at Saint Barnabas has been a regular part of Jacki’s life. She still has cancer, but cancer does not have her. Through it all, she has learned many lessons. She is grateful for the many things that she has: her husband, daughters and loving family. Her daughters are now teenagers. Nothing makes her happier than being a mom and sharing in their lives. Jacki is living proof that there is hope no matter how difficult your situation may look at the time.