CLEVELAND — Two years ago this month, Jenna Nightingale learned she had breast cancer.
The mom of three was already going through a difficult time in her personal life, as she helped her father recover from an aneurysm. She says she put off some routine checkups during that time, but a persistent pain in her breast pushed her to schedule a mammogram.
"I got the call back that I had non-invasive ductal carcinoma. I also had invasive ductal carcinoma, so it had traveled already," she recalled. "That day was awful. You just think that your life is ending honestly."
Faced with many unknowns, Jenna ultimately opted for a double mastectomy.
"I actually had three different types of cancer and [until surgery,] one was completely undetected even though I had two breast MRIs, two mammograms. So that decision that I made, gut feeling, I think saved my life."
After surgery, chemotherapy and ongoing ovarian suppression shots, Jenna is now thankfully cancer-free. But she says the journey doesn’t end there.
"It's not something that you get over, your body gets over, you are changed," she said.
Her purpose has changed too, she now speaks out for others who might find themselves in a similar place, advocating for women to do self exams, and get their annual mammograms.
"You are in control of your own health and it's your responsibility to be your own advocate," she told 3News.
She also continues to work with organizations like The Gathering Place, which nominated Jenna to spend a special day focused on making her feel good.
'This is so well deserved after all of what she's been through," said Chief Program Officer Karen Hatfield. "We are there to support people through the hard times, and it's also important to realize that the celebrations are there as well for us to be a part of."
3News Style Contributor Hallie Abrams partnered with Legacy Village to gift Jenna with a styling and shopping experience, as well as a day of pampering and self-care. The surprise experience touched Jenna who explained she's struggling to shop for items that address some of the specific clothing needs that can come after breast cancer.
"I can tell you that going through all the treatments wreaks havoc on your body. So the body that I had, the clothes that I once wore do not fit anymore," Jenna told Hallie. "If I could find something fun, comfortable, streamlined that I could wear these jeans out on a date night or out with girlfriends, I would really love that. And I need something really comfortable to get me through those side effects I have during that week while I'm still working from home, but need to be presentable but comfortable."
Hallie quickly got to work, pulling items from LOFT, Chico's and other Legacy Village retailers while Jenna enjoyed a manicure and pedicure at Ladies and Gentleman Salon and Spa from Nail Technician Racquel Hives, and makeup from Advanced Stylist Meghan Rosbottom.
Candytopia even gifted Jenna's kids with bags of sweet treats and gift cards to visit.
Jenna's husband Ryan joined her at the end of the day to share in the fun and positivity, and also the emotions that come along with reflecting on her journey.
"It’s great to see a smile on her face after going through something as traumatic as cancer. Yeah, it's good. Very good," he said.
"It was an amazing day. I mean, I didn't know half of what was planned was going on, and I just feel so pretty for one and fashionable and I got to relax and unwind a little bit and it was a fabulous day," Jenna said.
And she has one final and very important message to share with 3News viewers who see her story.
"Advocacy is the number one part of being aware of breast cancer or anything else from that matter. And if you think something's wrong or you have a gut feeling about something, call your doctor. And if that doctor doesn't listen, call a different doctor, get your mammograms because it saved my life."