There’s no easy way to tell your friends you have cancer. Do you wait to see them in person? Do you send a text asking them to call you? Do you message them with a paragraph that reads I have hard news to share? Do you send a newsletter to hundreds of people because the thought of sending one more text or making one more phone call feels like too much? I’ve clearly done all of the above. And I, my friends, am as surprised as you with this announcement. What was a routine MRI turned into an ultrasound turned into a biopsy turned into You Have Stage 2 Breast Cancer. I would be lying if I told you I wasn't scared. I am relatively terrified. But I still can recognize the beauty in life because, despite it all, I know I still have it better than many people on this planet. I plan on getting through this, and I know it will be a lot easier with your support. Thank you for being here :) How you can support and what to expect here: - If you're in the Reno/Tahoe area, you can sign up for our meal train via the calendar below. If you're out of the area (or hate cooking), you can support via Door Dash, Uber Eats, etc. Your contribution to our meal train frees up the evening after my chemo appointments for more rest. Thank you, chef. - I'll be posting updates here, as sending out the same text and having the same conversation is hard. You are welcome to text me anytime, and if you don't hear back from me, don't take it personally. I'm just doing this thing called life, and sometimes it might just feel like too much. I'll be writing more in-depth about this experience in my Substack, and you can follow along here: https://redefiningradical.substack.com/ - Contribute to the GoFundMe that Andrea Slusarski and Raquel Velez organized for me here: https://www.gofundme.com/manage/jen-gurecki-support-fund - I am so lucky to have Kelly, the love of my life, who will be caring for me. This is going to take a toll on her as well, from the unpaid time off work to dealing with my murdery ass. So if you're looking for ways to help that don't involve a financial contribution, please take her mountain biking or snowboarding. I have mixed feelings about asking for help. I feel like I should be at a point in my life where I would have tens of thousands of dollars in savings and I could take months off of work, but that's not my reality. I'm that person you read about -- the self-employed, small business owner who has invested everything she has into her work. There is no such thing as paid time off for me, and I'm doing my best not to be devastated by losing the busiest and best time of year, in addition to the trips, events, and more I had planned that would sustain my businesses and me. I want to leave you with a positive note: When the test results sank in, the first thing I thought was, thank god I have lived THIS life. I feel like I did it right, and I don't want for much anymore. I am surrounded by the most incredible humans, and together we have done things that people only dream of. Along the way, I'd like to think we've really made a positive impact in people's lives. I am so grateful for them and all of the support they've given me so far. Please, please do post your messages. I'd love to hear from you. And remember that every little bit helps, so don't feel bad if all you can do is send a note wishing me well. I'm grateful for all of it, and for you. xxoo, Jen