Jenna Jacques: tough as nails

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Providence second grader Jenna Jacques has already proven she's a survivor, but she still has a lengthy fight before her.

She was diagnosed with a plum-sized brain tumor back in March, and now has to go through three hours of chemotherapy five days a week.

The 8-year-old is like many girls her age, in that she likes to read Junie B. Jones books. She has a life-size cutout of Justin Bieber to admire. She also likes math. Still, she's facing a very grown-up problem.

Talking about it is difficult. "I don't know what to do," she told Eyewitness News reporter Walt Buteau this week.

Jenna has to take 16 pills every day, in addition to the chemo treatments.

In photos from the past, Jenna has beautiful, long, straggly and curly black hair. But by now, she's lost her locks. She wears a newsboy's cap. Her dimpled smile is still known to shine out, though.

"She's strong," says Jenna's mom Heather. "She's stronger than me. She's stronger than you. She's stronger than anybody I know."

The first signs of the tumor were barely noticeable: Jenna had the occasional headache around Christmas.

Then, a sore leg, and a very slight limp.

The doctors said at first it was a virus. When it was discovered that a tumor was growing in Jenna's head, Heather said, "My world crumbled. I have no other words for it."

The good news: surgery removed the tumor. But Jenna was left weakened, and in a wheelchair.

Jenna's house had a stoop. "Taking her out of the house without a ramp is scary -- You're scared you're going to drop her."

A family friend put the Jacques in touch with the local groups, Fighting For A Chance, and the Carpentry Training program at Amos House. Donations for supplies poured in, and a ramp started growing next to the home.

It doesn't make swallowing all those pills any easier, but it's a lift for her to know she's not alone in her fight.

"Unfortunately, an eight-year-old girl has no control over her own destiny," said Mickey Bailey of Fighting For A Chance. "We're just trying to make that destiny a little easier."

Jenna still faces some 15 more months of treatment, but her prognosis is good.

If you'd like to follow Jenna's journey, her family has opened up Team Jenna, a page at "CarePages" outlining her treatment.

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