EDITOR’S NOTE: This article originally appeared in the Herald on July 26, 2007.
When Jane Fenno was diagnosed with kidney cancer on April 6 it came as a shock to the Chippewa Falls woman.
“I had no pain. I felt cold and I was tired, but that was it,” she said. “It was really a fluke that I even found out I had it.”
A simple routine surgery led doctors to take a closer look at her blood levels, which pointed to cancer.
But Fenno is no stranger to cancer and its effect on people’s lives. She’s been a volunteer with the American Cancer Society for 20 years, and has been involved with the Chippewa Falls Relay for Life for 12 years.
And now, she’s a member of another club. But this one’s not looking for any new members.
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“We call ourselves ‘Team Leinie’ — Me, Vern (Pellin) and Gary (Burger),” Jane said. “We have a common bond, and we stick together.”
The three all have cancer and work at Leinenkugel’s Brewery. The friends have supported each other during their battles against cancer.
Vern was diagnosed with brain cancer a couple years ago. Gary was diagnosed last September, just a month after getting married and returning from his honeymoon.
“They say the first year of marriage is the hardest, but this was unimaginable,” Gary said.
His wife Michelle stayed by his side during the surgery to remove the brain tumor, as well as recovery.
“She’s truly my strength,” he said.
The support of family and friends made it possible for Michelle to be there as much as she wanted to be.
