Joyful Lawn Signs Donated To Woman On Cancer Journey: 'No Mo' Chemo!'

EAST ISLIP, NY — When Karen Jensen realized Kristen Jensen, her wife of 15 years, was slated to receive her last chemotherapy treatment, she knew it had to be special.

Kristen, 49, a physical education teacher, was diagnosed with Stage 1 invasive ductal carcinoma in April, after having a routine mammography. She later had a double mastectomy surgery in June.

"She had a long recovery," said Karen. "That was a tough surgery."

Just to be safe, her doctors recommended four rounds of chemotherapy after her surgery to fight back against any cancer may have potentially spread.

Kristen underwent treatment roughly every three weeks. Her colleagues at Half Hollow Hills West High School, where she works, were very supportive about her taking days off to focus on her health, Karen said.

She often suffered severe headaches, bone pain, and nausea from the chemotherapy, as well as an emotional toll.

"As a woman, that's a part of your body that's now removed," she said. "It's an emotional journey as much as a physical journey."

In addition to Kristen's own experience, the diagnosis affected her family. Karen told Patch it was tough to balance being a caregiver, working a full-time job, and caring for their 11- and 14-year-old sons.

But the support of the community helped the East Islip family cope.

Karen, who is the president of the East Islip soccer club, said the club and her 14-year-old son's dance studio, Dance Arts Development Center, had her back.

For example, parents shared meals and took her kids to practices and rehearsals.

" Without the support from this community, I wouldn't have been able to do it," she said.

As Kristen neared the end of her cancer treatments, she deserved a celebration, Karen thought. Inspired by the popularity of decorative lawn signs at the beginning of the pandemic, Karen reached out to friends and on social media, looking for a company recommendation.

A friend later connected Karen with local company, Yard Card Mothers. When the business heard Karen's story, they told her not to worry about the bill.

"I was not even close to expecting that," she said. "I was like, 'No way, I don't mind paying for a good service, and you came highly recommended.' And she said, 'No, I'm not taking your money'."

Kristen's underwent her last treatment Nov. 17. The night before, Karen had Yard Card Mothers sneakily set up the decorations, so they'd be ready when Kristen left the house in the morning.

The set-up took less than 30 minutes, Karen said. Kristen had no idea what she was up to.

"I didn't even hear them," she said.

When Kristen woke up the next day, she suspected something was outside, but didn't expect the lawn signs.

"She was in her pajamas," Karen said. "So I said, 'Why don't you go get dressed, and then you come out and do what it says'."

Kristen saw the surprise on their way out to chemotherapy. She was astonished by giant pink, sparkly decorations that spelled out "No Mo' Chemo!"

When they returned from the treatment, they discovered the signs lit up at night.

"We made her smile," Karen said.

Kristen will undergo breast reconstruction surgery in August 2023. While their journey is continuing, Karen said each day is a blessing.

"She's definitely had her good days and her bad days as far as both physically and emotionally," Karen said. "But after every time, right after she's down, she would pick herself back up, with the support from her family and friends and say 'Okay, let's get, through the next one."