Jade and I connected on Instagram because we are both young adult cancer survivors diagnosed with blood cancer. At the age of 24, Jade was diagnosed with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and had to undergo intensive treatment, including a stem cell transplant. She is a dedicated cancer advocate and hosts her own podcast, "Jade's Journey Through Cancer," where she shares her story, discusses side effects, and outlines her treatment timeline to raise awareness about AYA (Adolescent and Young Adult) cancer patients. Be sure to support her by checking out her podcast through the link below:
Me: Tell me about yourself
Jade:
Hi, my name is Jade. I'm originally from Louisiana but moved to Colorado as a child and currently reside in Arizona. I love anything creative, whether it's coloring, painting, or jewelry making. I grew up as an artist, so creating has always been a passion of mine. When I was 24, I was diagnosed with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, which came as a complete shock to my family and me.
Me: How did you find out about your diagnosis?
Jade:
For months, I experienced a variety of symptoms but never thought it would turn out to be cancer. I had extreme migraines, constantly felt exhausted, and took numerous naps. I had excruciating pelvic and leg pain, which made it difficult to walk, and some days I couldn't walk at all. I also experienced unexplained weight loss of 15 pounds, which I only discovered about a week or two before being hospitalized when I weighed myself. Additionally, I had random bruising and a nosebleed that produced a small blood clot, which had never happened before. I attributed all of this to working from home, staring at a computer screen, and dealing with a stressful, toxic job. This was all happening in the middle of the pandemic, which didn't help. My family kept urging me to see a doctor and get insurance. Being a young, healthy adult, I didn't feel the need to go to the doctor, which was a huge mistake. When my symptoms became too much, I finally purchased insurance and went to see the doctor. One day off turned into a cancer diagnosis within a few days. After having a lymph node biopsy and a bone marrow biopsy, I was diagnosed with B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at 24 years old.
"Being a young, healthy adult, I didn't feel the need to go to the doctor, which was a huge mistake."
Me: Could you walk us through your timeline of your treatment (number of chemo rounds, surgery, current status (remission etc...)
Jade:
My first hospital stay lasted 46 long days. During my time in the hospital I completed three rounds of chemo, one round of immunotherapy, and a stem cell transplant over the course of six months. I am currently three years post treatment and two years in remission!
Me: What motivated you to start your own podcast?
Jade:
My mom motivated me to start my podcast and share my story. I was very nervous to start, but I'm so happy I did. Since starting my podcast, "Jade's Journey Through Cancer," I've met so many amazing cancer survivor friends online. I'm so thankful for the community I've found and for the many people I've been able to help. During treatment, I didn't have anyone my age to relate to or talk to, which was very hard. However, I'm thankful I met my friend Dana in the hospital. I'm happy I've been able to share my story and give advice to others who have just received their diagnosis, are going through treatment, or are survivors.
Me: What is one piece of advice you would give to newly diagnosed cancer patients?
Jade:
One piece of advice I would give to newly diagnosed cancer patients is to always advocate for yourself. If my mom and I hadn't advocated for me, I would have been misdiagnosed or dismissed by medical professionals. I was incorrectly told I had Sickle Cell, POTS, and Lymphoma. No matter how scared you may feel, speak up for yourself. If you're receiving improper treatment or care, or you feel unheard by the medical team, speak up and don't back down until you have an answer.
"One piece of advice I would give to newly diagnosed cancer patients is to always advocate for yourself."
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