On Jan. 14, 2005, Jennifer Christenbury learned she had invasive ductile carcinoma – breast cancer.
Jennifer Christenbury, left, and Lindy Shaw will participate in the 2007 Breast Cancer Awareness Walk in Atlanta. Lindy’s mother had breast cancer, but, thanks to early detection, remains cancer-free today. Lindy’s grandmother lived to 91 after having had breast cancer, a testament to the benefits of early detection. Jennifer, who also touts early detection, said her episode with breast cancer taught her to depend on God’s promises as revealed in Jeremiah 29:11.It was a scary diagnosis for the elementary school teacher, wife and mother of two young children, who was serving as a Mission Friends leader and nursery coordinator at her church, Iva First Baptist.
Jennifer underwent surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, and temporarily lost her hair, but she never lost faith that things would be okay.
“I was blessed to be surrounded by many loving, praying friends and family,” she said of the ordeal. “God sent me many angels to help and encourage me through those trying days.”
Jennifer also found herself clinging to God’s word – specifically, Jeremiah 29:11: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'” (KJV).
She trusted that God did have a plan for her, and she began to get stronger physically, emotionally and spiritually.
In the fall of 2006, more than a year and a half after her diagnosis, she challenged herself to walk 60 miles in a three-day event in Atlanta to raise funds to support breast cancer research, awareness and early detection. After the first 20 miles, she strained a ligament in her foot. Nevertheless, despite being five months pregnant and facing nighttime temperatures in the 30s, she persevered – and she and her friend and fellow church member, Lindy Shaw, finished the 60 miles on the third day.
A few months later, in February 2007, Jennifer and husband Mike gave birth to their third child, a daughter, whom they named Amberlyn Grace. “Grace is when God gives us what we don’t deserve,” Jennifer explained, “and he has richly given me more than I have ever deserved.” The Christenburys have two other children, son Graylyn and daughter Kaitlyn.
Jennifer holds her daughter, Amberlyn Grace, so named because “grace is when God gives us what we don’t deserve, and He has richly given me more than I have ever deserved.” Amberlyn Grace was born two years after Jennifer’s cancer diagnosis.Today, Jennifer has regular checkups and shows no signs of cancer.
She plans to walk for cancer awareness again in October with her friend Lindy. Also, this year, Mike, their “walking coach,” has decided to join them.