At the end of 2021, life took a dramatic turn for Jen and her family when her five-year-old son Eashan started to lose his sight. After extensive tests and an emergency scan, Eashan was diagnosed with a chromozone disorder - neurofibromatosis or NF-1, which will make him susceptible to internal tumours growing within his nervous system for the rest of his life. The reason Eashan was losing his sight was because he had a tumour on his optic nerve.
For 18 months, Eashan is having regular chemotherapy to reduce the tumour. Coming to terms with Eashan's diagnosis, supporting him through his treatment and continuing with family life has required strength that Jen didn't know she had. During this time, Jen has turned to running as a coping mechanism. She says that when she goes for a run, it is as "a pause button" on her extremely stressful and worrying life. She says that, without running, she would be in a very dark place.
Whilst Eashan is having chemo, Jen has committed to run 100k a month..sharing her experiences and achievements on Instagram at : mother_wren_runs.
Jen also ran the Great North Run last year, raising £5,000 for her son’s oncology ward at Nottingham Hospitals charity.
Listen to her story now.
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