From Despair to Determination: My Journey of Resilience and Triumph

Jenna Thiel’s journey through a harrowing health crisis began with a troubling sign: a complete loss of appetite. What started as a seemingly minor issue quickly spiraled into a life-altering experience. With persistent pain and fatigue, Jenna pushed for answers, leading her on a challenging path filled with unexpected diagnoses, surgeries, and resilience.

A Relentless Pursuit of Answers

Initially, Jenna’s doctor speculated that her discomfort might stem from gallbladder issues. However, her determination to uncover the truth led to further testing at Baptist Health Hospital in La Grange, Kentucky. An ultrasound, followed by an MRI and CT scan, revealed a shocking discovery: a tumor on her pancreas. Prompted by her findings, Jenna was referred to the University of Louisville Hospital, where a surgeon assessed the tumor’s aggressive nature after an endoscopy. The diagnosis was a stage III pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (PNET), and surgery was urgently scheduled.

In a pivotal moment, Jenna underwent a distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy just before Thanksgiving in 2020. The operation marked the beginning of a long and arduous recovery process, during which she lost nearly 70 pounds.

Complications and Resilience

Only four months after her initial surgery, Jenna faced severe complications. A bowel obstruction required another surgery, followed by a difficult recovery marked by a fistula and sepsis. “My body was shutting down,” she recalled, struggling to get out of bed during a 17-day hospital stay.

Throughout this ordeal, Jenna’s two young children witnessed their mother’s battle against illness, and the timing coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, complicating home health care options. Support from her husband, Jesse, became essential as he stepped away from his job to care for her. Family support poured in, with her cousin, a nurse practitioner, and her immediate family rallying around her.

Jenna fought through the pain, motivated by her commitment to her children and a promise to take them to the beach. With determination, she attended physical therapy and worked diligently to regain her strength.

New Challenges and Triumphs

Amid Jenna’s recovery, her family faced another hurdle when her sister was diagnosed with uterine cancer. To prevent further health complications, Jenna opted for a hysterectomy.

Fast forward to today, Jenna is thriving. She now visits the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center for her annual scans to monitor for any recurrence of her tumor. With her four-year check-up on the horizon in November 2024, Jenna expresses gratitude for each day and strives to enjoy life with her family.

Despite being diagnosed with PNET at just 35 years old, a diagnosis more common in older adults, her resilience led her to advocate for pancreatic cancer awareness. She volunteers extensively and even transitioned her career to medical coding, allowing her to remain connected to the healthcare field while accommodating her delicate immune system.

A Message of Hope

To those facing similar battles, Jenna’s advice is clear: “Take it one day at a time. You’re not alone in this fight.” She encourages others to seek help and support, emphasizing the importance of faith throughout her journey.

“You are a warrior,” Jenna affirms. “No matter what, cancer will never take that from you!”

To hear more about Jenna’s inspiring story, watch her feature in “You’re Not Alone.” Watch here.