Just 18 months ago, childhood cancer survivor Jenna Croman had her life plan outlined.
The Sydney woman had just celebrated her 21st birthday, was studying criminal psychology at university, was writing three books and dreamed of traveling the world.
But her world came crashing down earlier this month when she was told she only had weeks to live because metastatic cancer in her breasts had spread to her brain.
Jenna, 22, has come home to see her last days.
Her parents, Nadine and Andrew, and her brother Jacob, have taken time off work to fulfill her dying wish to spend the remainder of her life at home and make sure she is comfortable as her health deteriorates.
“We are living each day to the best of our ability,” Ms Croman told Daily Mail Australia.
‘As long as she continues to fight, we will fight with her.’
Jenna Croman enjoyed a week-long vacation in Japan in April (pictured with her brother Jacob) after her breast cancer stabilized
Three months later, Jenna’s wish is to spend her last days at home (pictured with her mother Nadine)
“It’s heartbreaking to see her go through first cancer, then breast cancer, and now this.”
“Jenna had her whole life planned out, including where she was going to live and how many children she was going to have.”
Her husband added: ‘We don’t know how much time is left. It could be two weeks or it could be five weeks.
“Our lives revolve around Jenna, who needs 24/7 care for everything, including showering, dressing and feeding. We can’t go anywhere.
Jenna was just three and a half years old when she was diagnosed with pleuropulmonary blastoma, a rare childhood cancer that affects the lungs.
She defied the odds and beat cancer after several years of grueling chemotherapy.
Jenna (pictured at her year 12 graduation) was a bright young student studying criminal psychology.
Jenna was still cancer-free when she celebrated her 21st birthday at a ’70s-themed party in December 2021 (pictured with her parents and brother)
Four months later, in April 2022, Jenna was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer (pictured during treatment)
In April 2022, Jenna felt a lump under her breast, and after numerous tests, she was diagnosed with metastatic cancer on both sides of her breasts.
Subsequent tests revealed bone lesions, but doctors managed to stabilize the cancer using drugs and radiation.
It allowed Jenna to check a dream off her bucket list and travel to Japan three months ago with her brother Jacob and his girlfriend.
Shortly after her return, she began to suffer from intense migraines and ended up in the hospital, where an MRI revealed that the cancer had spread to her brain.
More radiation triggered daily seizures before doctors told her devastated parents that nothing more could be done.
“It sucks that I will never approve or disapprove of her boyfriends or walk her down the aisle,” her father said.
“You always think that your children will be the ones who will take care of you in your last days, not the other way around.”
At age 3, Jenna was diagnosed with pleuropulmonary blastoma, a rare childhood cancer that affects the lungs.
Jenna was a happy and healthy 21-year-old before she was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.
Visiting Japan was a bucket list item for Jenna Croman (pictured)
Jenna’s fighting spirit still comes through most days, even though her speech falters.
“Some days are better than others,” Croman said.
But every day that wakes us up is a good day. We still see their wit and humor, or roll our eyes if one of us makes a sarcastic comment.
“The goal is for him to spend his last days at home, which was one of his wishes.”
Prior to her breast cancer diagnosis, Jenna had hoped to travel to the UK to study Viking history and was in the process of writing three books.
“He was in the middle of the final edition of his first book,” his father said.
The Cromans have been impressed by the public support, which has allowed them not to worry about living expenses.
An online fundraiser has raised nearly $40,000 raised so far.
“You can always make money, but not time,” Croman said.
“Once we lose the time we have left with Jenna, we can’t get it back.”
Andrew and Nadine have taken a break from work to care for Jenna at home.
Jenna, 22, (pictured right with her best friend Riley) has weeks to live
