#BraveLikeJennifer
Name: Jennifer Schmitz
Age: 41
Diagnosis: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Years of Survivorship: 2 years
Location: Omaha, NE
Follow Jennifer on Instagram.
How has running or staying physically active affected your cancer journey?
Having the ability to put one foot in front of the other after being diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) has truly been a life saver. I have always loved running and I have embraced the ability to run not only for fun, but also as a way to reduce stress and stay healthy. During my cancer treatment, for a period of time I could barely walk or stand. I dreamed about one day being able to run again. I could not bear the thought of cancer taking that away from me. It gave me a goal to work toward. Once I regained some strength, being able to run again (albeit not as fast as I once could) was not only a goal, but a constant place of peace and positivity. It provided me with the ability to regain strength and endurance.
What advice do you have for people on staying fit throughout their cancer treatment or recovery?
I would have to say that it is okay to take your time. I think if there is too much pressure to be fast or as strong as you were pre-cancer, not only does the fun of it go away, but the mental release of simply being able to move, goes away. Focusing on small goals of movement is an important first step. I am a firm believer that the more active you stay during treatment and recovery, the better off you will be. There is a physical benefit to movement, but also a mental benefit that is sometimes more powerful.
What are some of your proudest accomplishments since being diagnosed with cancer?
One of my proudest accomplishments is simply being alive. I have a wonderful husband and two small children and being able to still spend time with them and love them is my biggest accomplishment. I have also been able to go back to work which has been mentally fulfilling (especially during Covid). I am a nurse practitioner and I care for many pediatric patients that have the same diagnosis as myself. Thanks to my own experience with ALL, I am able to offer a different perspective to patients and their families. Just being able to offer some good to others and be a positive example for others means a lot.
How has Gabe's story impacted you or changed the way you view life as a cancer patient/survivor?
I heard about Gabe's story shortly after I was diagnosed. I spent the good part of my first 6 months of treatment as an inpatient in the hospital. Not being able to see my kids everyday and be at home with my family was devastating. On top of that, I felt very alone with my diagnosis. ALL is common among children, but very uncommon at my age (I was 38 when I was diagnosed). The treatment for ALL is brutal and heavy. Learning about Gabe’s story and her ability to persevere was amazing - it gave me hope. She made the diagnosis of cancer seem not quite so bad. She was able to show the positives that come from devastation. There is always sunshine through the clouds, sometimes you just have to look for it.
What does being #BraveLikeJennifer mean to you?
I think that we are all "brave." Being #BraveLikeJennifer means regardless of what obstacles life throws at us, we all have something to give and offer to the world. Each one of us does this in a different way, but we can all learn from each other and be the best version of ourselves.
What are you most looking forward to in the near future?
I am most looking forward to being present for all of my children's activities. At the time I was diagnosed my children were 3 and 6. My treatment lasted 3 years and I feel like I missed out on so many things. I look forward to being physically and mentally present for everything, especially the little things. I also look forward to being able to be physically strong enough to enjoy life's adventures with my husband and children. Prior to cancer we enjoyed a lot of outdoor time, traveling, hiking, running, skiing, etc. I want to be strong enough to enjoy all of those things again.
Is there anything else you'd like us to know about you?
I am so glad that the Brave Like Gabe Foundation is around to honor Gabe's legacy and promote continued research for rare cancers. There are so many people that benefit from this work, myself included.