A Journey Through Illness and Hope
Jenney Bitner cherished her family’s yearly trip to visit her mother in San Diego. For her kids, it symbolized a two-week holiday at grandma’s place. For Bitner and her husband, it was a chance to soak up some sun while their home in Washington faced the dreariness of February.
In 2020, the trip was especially anticipated. Bitner, pregnant and 22 weeks along, was eager for the family bonding moments. However, just a day into the visit, she became too ill to get out of bed. With a severe headache, nausea, and unsteadiness, something wasn’t right.
Two urgent care visits suggested it was merely pregnancy-related. Bitner felt something else was amiss but reasoned that her obstetrician would clarify matters. Yet, upon their return home, she collapsed twice, prompting her husband to rush her to the emergency room.
An MRI uncovered a significant tumor in her brain. The medical team acted quickly, scheduling surgery to extract as much of the tumor as possible. It was later diagnosed as Stage IV melanoma that had metastasized to her brain, which was shocking—melanoma is typically identifiable by a visible mark, and she had never encountered one. The prognosis was daunting: a mere 35% five-year survival rate for such advanced cases, according to the American Cancer Society.
Bitner, then just 38 and expecting her fourth child, was struck by disbelief. “I thought, ‘I’m too young for this,’” she said, expressing her deep fear. “I just couldn’t shake the feeling that I might never see my baby reach a year old.” The anxiety was overwhelming.
Facing Treatment During Pregnancy
Her doctors advised aggressive treatment. While the first operation successfully removed the bulk of the tumor, the neurosurgeon couldn’t completely eliminate it without risking irreversible damage. Further tests also identified a sizable cancerous nodule on her back that could be felt easily.
Immunotherapy was necessary, but it posed risks for her unborn child. Medical professionals decided an early delivery would be the safest route so treatment could commence. After weeks of careful observation, Bitner’s baby was delivered via C-section at 34 weeks.
Days leading up to the delivery were rough for Bitner, with nausea and headaches returning. Imaging revealed the tumor had re-expanded, necessitating another surgery.
“With three and a half kids, I kept thinking, ‘I might not see them grow up,’” she recalled. She began writing letters to her children, expressing thoughts she feared she might not get to share with them in person.
On May 4, her son Marcus was born, named in honor of her neurosurgeon. Weighing only 3 pounds and 12 ounces, he initially required NICU care, but Bitner’s husband shared in a journal post that he was a “fighter” with plenty of spirit.
A week later, Bitner underwent a second brain surgery. This time, her doctor managed to remove the entire tumor. After another week of recovery, both mother and baby were cleared to go home together, prompting Bitner’s husband to express his joy in another journal entry about their family finally being together. The older siblings were thrilled to welcome their new brother.
“Let the sleepless nights begin. I’ll take them,” he remarked.
A Remarkable Recovery
By early June 2020, Bitner started her immunotherapy. The treatment aimed to enhance her immune system, enabling her white blood cells to combat the cancer cells in her body and brain. However, new concerns had arisen, particularly near her lung and thigh, making her anxious about the outcome.
Remarkably, within days, her husband noted that the cancerous spot on her back was no longer palpable. Other lumps began to diminish, and subsequent scans confirmed her significant improvement. By the time of her last immunotherapy session, Bitner felt capable enough to drive herself there.
Though she faced some rare side effects, including an allergic reaction and encephalitis that required hospitalization, it all felt worthwhile when her oncologist announced in October 2020 that there were no signs of disease.
Dr. Alicia Zhou, CEO of the Cancer Research Institute, emphasized that Bitner is part of a growing number of patients who benefit from advanced immunotherapy treatments. “This represents a significant shift in the field,” she said, offering hope beyond mere survival.
Now nearly six years later, Bitner is proud to have defied expectations and focuses on raising awareness for immunotherapy research while enjoying family life. “Every day feels like a gift,” she shared. “I take all of this as precious.” The once dreaded noise of a bustling house filled with children now fills her with joy. “It’s chaos, yes. But it’s a beautiful chaos I didn’t think I’d get to experience.”
