Help us raise money

Peloton riders from Massachusetts joining together as a Team supporting one another together as #WickedSmahtZone. 

Wicked Smaht Zone Facebook Team Page

Jenene's Story:

In 2005 I was living a pretty normal life, having started my first full-time job out of Grad School at a University when I got a call from my mom that my grandmother was pretty ill. I packed my bags and headed from VA to NY, where my family lived and the next day we all headed to visit my grandmother. While there, her health took a turn for the worse and shortly thereafter she passed, surrounded by a swarm of loved ones. It was extremely sad, yet beautiful at the same time as she lived a long and healthy 94 years. But unfortunately, this is just where the story begins – although we had NO idea at the time. 

It was at my grandmother’s funeral that I noticed my mom had a pretty nasty, persistent cough. Something about it just seemed off, but at first we didn’t think too much of it. We figured she was just worn down from the loss of her mother, and needed some rest. As the week progressed, I noticed my mom’s cough progressing as well. It was towards the end of time at home that I urged her to please make a doctor’s appointment. Eventually she agreed and before I headed back on the road to VA, she made an appointment for the next week.

The weekend came and went, and it was time for my mother’s doctor’s appointment. “No big deal – they think it is bronchitis and gave me some medicine.” Great – should be all better in no time, I thought. Unfortunately, I thought wrong. We all did – including that doctor. Another week went by and still no change in my mom, so she and my dad made another appointment, this time with another doctor for the next day. Checking in afterwards, I distinctly remember talking with my dad, who I could tell seemed a little shook up and off. He told me, “The doctor isn’t totally sure what’s wrong, so we they ran some tests.” I couldn't do anything but sit and wait for their follow up, scheduled for later that week. And that is a moment I will never forget. Driving home from work, I called to check in with my parents. My dad answered. “Well, they found a spot. On her lung.” I knew exactly what he meant. “What do you mean a SPOT? You mean a tumor, don’t you?” Reluctantly, he confirmed. After a few more tests it was confirmed. My mother – a seemingly healthy, non-smoking 60-year old woman – had Stage 3 lung cancer. 

I could go on forever about what the next two years looked like for us. I’ll say this – they were some of the highest highs, and some of the lowest lows. We got my mom some of the best treatment possible at Sloan Kettering Memorial Hospital in NYC. In the next two years there were several rounds of chemo and radiation, a brief moment in time where we thought the cancer was gone, a devastating realization that the cancer was back, and the ultimate reality in realizing that all of the treatment options we tried hadn’t worked. The cancer was too aggressive - now in Stage 4 - and, in the Summer of 2007, came to the conclusion with support of her many doctor’s and nurses that there was nothing more that could be done. As such, we moved her into a hospice facility. Ultimately, on September 26th, 2007, we lost my mom to this terrible disease. 

I miss her every single day of my life. I missed her at my wedding, when my nieces were born, and all the other big moments - but all of the smaller moments as well. I’m also super grateful for the two years that we had post-diagnosis before her passing. It brought our family even closer together. She was able to fight like hell and make it to my sister’s wedding, just a month before she passed away. She was able to spend some time at home – the home she loved so very much – and see so many loved ones. We know that towards the end she was not in any pain or aware of what was happening, and this is something that my family and I will be forever grateful for. But, with all that we are grateful for, we are still pissed at lung cancer! This disease can be such a silent killer for so many, and it has a horrible stigma attached to it. What many don’t realize is that if you have lungs, you can get lung cancer BUT, let’s not forget that NOBODY deserves this disease. 

Diane Daniels Legg and LUNGSTRONG continue to raise so much money to help work towards research, advocacy, and awareness, and Team Wicked Smaht Zone wants to be a part of that to help honor my mother – and all of those who have been impacted by this disease.

And, mom – I love you and miss you!