# I beat cancer at 23. Two years later, I woke up blind

> Jenny Trefzger survived cancer at 23 but lost vision in one eye two years later.
- Title: I beat cancer at 23. Two years later, I woke up blind
- Summary: Jenny Trefzger survived cancer at 23 but lost vision in one eye two years later. Jenny Trefzger, 32, survived colon cancer at 23 and later developed vision…
- Keywords: jenny trefzger, colon cancer, central retinal artery occlusion, crao, lungs, femal transition, veterinary technician, lewis delaware, instagram, urgenforpermanence, beat, cancer
- Source: Newsweek — https://newsweek.com/i-beat-cancer-at-23-two-years-later-i-woke-up-blind-in-one-eye-12456271
- Published: 2026-09-19T13:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: jenny trefzger, colon cancer, central retinal artery occlusion, crao, lungs, femal transition, veterinary technician, lewis delaware, instagram, urgenforpermanence
## Diagnosis at 23
Jenny Trefzger was diagnosed with colon cancer at 23 after abnormal bloodwork during hormone replacement therapy checkup.
## Surgery and treatment
She had a colectomy removing a 5-centimeter tumor and 30 centimeters of colon in 2017, followed by 12 rounds of chemotherapy.
## Two years later
At 26, she underwent facial feminization surgery but woke up blind in one eye after a central retinal artery occlusion.
## Cancer returned
Doctors found two lung nodules that grew to 1 centimeter before biopsy, revealing stage iv cancer that had spread to lungs.
## Treatment and recovery
She completed chemotherapy and targeted therapy in 2022 with no evidence of disease after two lung surgeries.
## Current status
Jenny Trefzger, 32, lives in Lewes, Delaware and shares her story on instagram @urgeforpermanence.
## Key takeaway

Jenny Trefzger, 32, survived colon cancer at 23 and later developed vision loss in one eye after cancer returned.