Jenney Bitner’s Journey Through Cancer and Pregnancy

Jenney Bitner always cherished her family’s yearly visit to her mother’s home in San Diego. For her three children, it was a two-week vacation with their grandmother. Amidst the rainy February weather in Washington, Bitner and her husband relished the chance to relax in the sun.

In 2020, this trip held extra significance. Bitner, pregnant at 22 weeks, welcomed the family time as she entered the second half of her pregnancy. Yet, after just one day in San Diego, she became too ill to leave her bed. She battled headaches, nausea, vomiting, and felt unstable.

Two urgent care visits attributed her symptoms to pregnancy, but Bitner remained uncertain. She hoped for clarity from an upcoming appointment with her obstetrician. Back home, she experienced two falls, prompting her husband to take her to the emergency room. An MRI revealed a ‘giant tumor’ in her brain, necessitating surgery to remove as much of it as possible. Tests identified Stage IV melanoma, which had metastasized to her brain. The discovery was a shock since melanoma often begins with noticeable marks, absent in Bitner’s case. The American Cancer Society notes that for such cases, the five-year survival rate stands at around 35%.

‘I had just turned 38, and I was pregnant with my fourth child,’ Bitner recounted. ‘I thought, I might not see this child grow to one year old. I was terrified.’

Jenney Bitner reads to her children after brain surgery.

Treating Cancer During Pregnancy

Doctors advised aggressive treatment for Bitner. The initial surgery removed most of the tumor, but complete removal risked permanent brain damage. Further testing found a cancerous nodule in her back big enough to feel through her skin. Bitner needed immunotherapy, but it posed risks to her unborn child. Early delivery was essential for treatment to begin. After weeks of monitoring, a C-section was scheduled at 34 weeks.

Just before the delivery, Bitner’s symptoms returned. A scan showed her tumor had regrown to its full size, necessitating another brain surgery along with immunotherapy.

‘I had three and a half children, and I thought, ‘I’m not going to see them grow up,” she said. ‘I wrote letters to them, not sure if I’d be there to say these things.’

Jenney Bitner after brain surgery.

On May 4, Bitner’s son Marcus was born, named after her neurosurgeon. Weighing 3 pounds 12 ounces, he spent time in the NICU. Bitner’s husband described him as a ‘feisty fighter’ in an online journal entry.

A week later, Bitner underwent her second brain surgery. This time, the entire tumor was removed. After a week of recovery, both mother and son were pronounced fit to go home on the same day. Bitner’s husband called the experience ‘joyous’. Their older children were eager to meet their new sibling.

‘The sleepless nights begin,’ he wrote. ‘I’ll take them.’

A ‘Pretty Remarkable’ Recovery

In June 2020, Bitner started immunotherapy aimed at enhancing her immune system’s ability to combat cancer cells. Tests had detected concerns in her lung, thigh, and brain, contributing to her anxiety about the treatment.

However, within days, her husband noticed the cancerous spot on her back was no longer palpable. Other skin lumps reduced in size, and scans showed significant progress. By her last immunotherapy session, Bitner felt well enough to drive herself.

She experienced rare side effects, including an allergic reaction and encephalitis, both requiring hospitalization. Bitner felt it was worthwhile when, in October 2020, her oncologist declared no evidence of disease.

Dr. Alicia Zhou, CEO of the Cancer Research Institute, noted that Bitner’s case exemplifies how new immunotherapies can help patients. These treatments represent a shift in cancer care, offering patients like Bitner a chance to thrive.

Jenney Bitner, her husband, and their four children in 2021, after she was declared cancer-free.

‘Before immuno-oncology developments, we couldn’t say ‘cure’ for patients with Stage IV metastatic disease, but now we can,’ Zhou stated.

Nearly six years later, Bitner is proud to have overcome the odds. She focuses on raising awareness about immunotherapy research and enjoys time with her family.

‘Every day since has been a gift,’ Bitner said. ‘The chaos at home may have once been overwhelming, but now it’s cherished sounds I didn’t think I’d ever hear. The messy house, though a hassle, is one I never thought I’d have.’

Edited by Nicole Brown Chau

In: Cancer, Washington, Pregnancy, Melanoma, American Cancer Society