Meet the Family

Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) is a hereditary disease and the offspring of an individual with FAP will have a 50/50 chance of inheriting the disease themselves. My family, like many others, has had its fair share of members with FAP. The only members I have personally known are my mother and my grandfather but I my great grandmother and great aunts and uncles were also affected. I’m proud to say that to my knowledge, FAP will be ending with me in my family line as I will not be having any children.

Jenny and her Parents

It was hard growing up not knowing anyone outside of my family with FAP but my family is very close knit and I am forever grateful for the love and support I have received from my family.

My grandpa and I were extremely close. He was a formidable Army Veteran of WWII. He was a strong man who never let his FAP or ileostomy stop him from what he wanted to do. I greatly admired him but I didn't understand his strength in relation to FAP until toward the end of his life and afterward. He survived colon cancer but we unfortunately lost him to stomach cancer that spread to his esophagus. His death was a great loss to us.

Read more about his story: Touch of Cancer





My mother and I have a special relationship as we have the same rare diseases of FAP and Short Bowel Syndrome. Although I do not wish illness upon her, I am grateful that if we were both to be ill that we have each other to walk this road of rare disease and chronic illness together. My mother was diagnosed with colorectal cancer shortly after I was born and we nearly lost her to it. My mother is an incredible fighter and she has survived many health complications including the Whipple procedure.

Read more about her story: Touch of Cancer and The Whipple Procedure

My dad is the glue that holds us together as a family unit. He provides all the necessary care and support that my mother and I need with our rare diseases and chronic illness. He is always willing to do whatever is required and is a steadfast support for us. We are beyond blessed to have him in our corner.

Read more about his story: A Caregiving Father and A Look at Caregiving

Mike is my life partner and is extremely supportive not only in caring for me with my chronic illness but also with Life’s a Polyp. As a graphic designer, he has been instrumental in creating several designs for Life’s a Polyp Shop. His son, Zac, even created two characters for the basis of my children’s book about FAP that is being published in 2022. 

Life’s a Polyp is truly a family affair. 

Read about our family adventures: 

Vacationing Amidst a Global Pandemic with Chronic Illness

Sensory Deprivation Tanks

Cruising to Hawaii and Beyond 

FAP and Lynch Conference 

Against the Odds

Be sure to subscribe to the mailing list to receive updates on the status of my children's book and new designs for Life's a Polyp Shop!

All profits of Life's a Polyp Shop and a portion of profits of the children's book are donated to the National Organization for Rare Disorders Familial Adenomatous Polyposis Research Fund.