Just 18 months ago, childhood cancer survivor Jenna Croman had her life plan sketched out.
The Sydney woman had just celebrated her 21st birthday, was studying criminal psychology at university, was writing three books and had dreams of travelling the world.
But her world came crashing down earlier this month when she was told she had only weeks to live because metastatic cancer in her breasts had spread to her brain.
Jenna, 22, has returned home to see out her final days.
Her parents Nadine and Andrew and brother Jacob have taken time off work to fulfil her dying wish to spend what’s left of her life at home and ensure she’s comfortable as her health deteriorates.
‘We’re living each day the best we can,’ Ms Croman told Daily Mail Australia
‘As long as she continues to fight, we will fight with her.’
Jenna Croman enjoyed a week’s holiday in Japan in April (pictured with brother Jacob) after her breast cancer stabilised
Three months on, Jenna’s wish is to spend her final days at home (pictured with mum Nadine)
‘It’s heartbreaking to watch having seen her go through the first cancer, then breast cancer and now this.’
‘Jenna had her whole life mapped out, including where she was going to live and how many kids she was having.’
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 resolve around Jenna who needs 24/7 care with with everything, including showering, dressing and feeding. We can’t go out anywhere.’
Jenna was just three-and-a-half when she was diagnosed with pleuropulmonary blastoma, a rare childhood cancer that affects the lungs.
She defied the odds and beat the cancer after several years of gruelling chemotherapy.
Jenna (pictured at her year 12 graduation) was a bright young student who was 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, was diagnosed with metastatic cancer on both sides of her breasts.
Further tests revealed bone lesions but doctors managed to stabilises the cancer through medication and radiation.
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It allowed Jenna to tick off a dream on her bucket list and travel to Japan three months ago with her brother Jacob and his girlfriend.
Shortly after she returned, she began suffering intense migraines and ended up back in hospital, where an MRI revealed the cancer has spread to her brain.
More radiation caused daily seizures before doctors told her devastated parents there was nothing more that could be done.
‘It’s s**t that I’ll never approve or disapprove of her boyfriends, or get to walk her down the aisle,’ her dad said.
‘You always think your kids will be the ones looking after you in your final days, not the other way around.’
At age three, 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, despite her speech declining.
‘Some days are better than others,’ Mr Croman said.
‘But every days she wakes us is a good day. We still see her wit and humour, or an eye roll if one of us makes a sarcastic comment.’
‘The goal is that she’ll spend her last days at home, which was one of her wishes.’
Before the breast cancer diagnosis, Jenna was hoping to travel to the UK to study the history of Vikings and was in the process of writing three books.
‘She was halfway through the final edit of her first book,’ her dad said.
The Cromans have been blown away by the public support, which has allowed them to not worry about living expenses.
An online fundraiser has raised almost $40,000 so far.
‘You can always make money, but not time,’ Mr Croman said.
‘Once we lose that time we have left with Jenna, we can’t get that back.’
Andrew and Nadine have taken time off work to care for Jenna at home
Jenna, 22, (pictured right with best friend Riley) has weeks to live
