Reservist fights major battle for life

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tracy Brown
  • 442nd Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  A veteran shares the fight of her life, and for her life, with family, friends and fellow Airmen.
 
Maj. Jennifer Burgett, 442nd Fighter Wing equal opportunity officer, recognizes the importance of knowledge, support and a healthy amount of resiliency to ensure mission success. In her more than 30 years of military experience, she has overcome many obstacles, but none can compare to her current fight - a fight she is willing to share with her fellow Airmen.

Major Burgett was diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2011. At 50 years old, with two children and a husband of 20 years, she said she knew she had to put up a fight.

"I am a strong Christian, and I believe God gave me the physical strength, as well as the attitude, to get through this," Major Burgett said. "I think he would have hit me a little harder if this was it for me."

Major Burgett communicates the day-to-day struggles of treatment, updates on testing as well as displaying her humorous point of view of her battle with cancer on her Web site, caringbridge.org.

"Before I was diagnosed with cancer, I thought it was a disease that kills you immediately," Major Burgett said. "My sister died from lung cancer in 2009, and I didn't have any good examples of a cancer survivor."

Major Burgett said she found inspiration in a co-worker who faced her battle with optimism and strength.

"My co-worker was diagnosed with cancer, and I remember thinking that was it; surely she would become very ill, lose all her hair and not be able to work," Major Burgett said.
"I thought something like that could never happen to me, and if it did, I would be devastated."

The same co-worker came in day after day and faced every day with courage and optimism and ultimately became the good example of a cancer survivor Major Burgett needed.

Major Burgett wrote in a Web post about receiving the news of her disease:
I have to admit that I tried to sit on the pity pot a couple of times, but someone had greased the seat and I slid off. I am not the only one that has gotten cancer. I am not the youngest. I am not the oldest. I am not the only one that has gotten cancer in my breast. I am not the only one that has to have surgery, chemo and radiation. I am not alone.

"I feel communication is incredibly important through a time like this," Major Burgett said. "I want to educate people on the indicators, what to expect in treatment and how to cope with the disease."

Major Burgett also said the Web site is a way to keep her family and friends informed of her treatment and how she is feeling.

"There is always a little hesitation and confusion when a person is going through something like this, and sometimes friends and family want to call but don't want to be a bother or don't know if it is a good time," Major Burgett said.

Through the Web site, friends and family can check on Major Burgett in their time - without constraints.

Major Burgett first wrote about her journey from diagnosis through surgery and now, chemotherapy. She expresses the importance of knowing about the disease and facing it head on and without fear.

"My first response when I got the news of my diagnosis was, 'I'm not afraid to die,'" Major Burgett said. "But things are still interesting, and I'm not ready to quit yet."

Major Burgett said one of the more surprising pieces of information she has recently found is there is a mutated gene that has been linked to breast cancer and ovarian cancer.

"Most people don't know that women and men can be tested for that gene," Major Burgett said. "Get tested, if you have the gene, get your children tested."
Major Burgett reported for duty on the March unit training assembly with no detectable cancer. By the April UTA, she was trying to sign up for a physical training test.

"I've told them I'm ready to get out there and test," she said. "If they'll let Sergeant Whitehead do it, then I can too! Sign me up!"

In March, through Airman Magazine, Major Burgett learned of another Airman who was facing a similar situation. Master Sgt. Keri Whitehead, noncommissioned officer in charge of the 1st Combat Camera Squadron at Joint Base Charleston, S.C. was featured in an article called, "Keri's War." In the article, Sergeant Whitehead allowed a fellow combat photographer to document her fight from diagnosis through reconstructive surgery.

For both Major Burgett and Sergeant Whitehead, the decision to divulge sensitive information about their medical diagnoses was an easy one.
Sergeant Whitehead said it was an easy decision for her as she wanted to get the word out and help people become aware of breast cancer.

Through the documentary, Sergeant Whitehead said she hopes her daughter can see "Keri's War" and view her mother an an example - to use her fight with cancer as an inspiration to overcome any challenges she meets in her own life.

For Sergeant Whitehead's full story, visit www.airmanonline.af.mil or www.keriswar.org.