Faith, family and technology improve prospects in the fight against cancer | Highlands Sun

Jade Jackson is a small-town girl who has overcome big obstacles and has even bigger dreams. The 25-year-old young woman from Avon Park has been fighting for her life since she was 14 years old after being diagnosed with brain cancer in 2013.

With the help of God, her family and friends, Jackson is determined to win the battle against the cancer in her body. At an age when most girls are thinking about makeup, clothes and friends, Jackson began her fight to simply live.

A devastating diagnosis tested Jackson and his entire family's faith, but parishioners at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church and the entire community showed their support to the family.

“The family rallied around me,” Jackson said in disbelief. “Avon Park rallied around me.”

When the shock wore off, Jackson underwent chemotherapy. In addition to treating the tumor, she also experienced some traumatic side effects. Jackson lost her hair, which was clearly visible, but less visible was the neuropathy caused by the life-saving treatment. The neuropathy caused pain and numbness in her feet.

Jackson is a substitute teacher for the Highlands County School Board, but neuropathy was interfering with her teaching skills. The neuropathy pain caused insomnia and kept her awake at night.

“The numbness, burning and tingling made walking difficult,” Jackson said.

As walking became increasingly difficult, Jackson's life became more sedentary. Jackson tried every possible treatment that doctors prescribed, but relief was not found.

Jackson's life changed dramatically for the better after she visited Dr. Tatiana Wellens in Winter Haven, who recommended a device called the StimRouter. Jackson decided to follow the doctor's recommendation and she is very happy she did.

The StimRouter device is a peripheral nerve stimulator that is implanted for pain management.

“Wires have been implanted in my legs and an electrical impulse is being sent to the nerves to repair them,” Jackson explained.

She sleeps with a small external device over the internal cables.

“It's not magic, but they helped,” Jackson said. “It was a tremendous help.”

The relief of neuropathy symptoms has made walking and other activities much easier. In fact, she just returned from a summer vacation that included a lot of walking. Jackson also looks forward to a future filled with activities she once thought were impossible.

“I always wanted to go to college,” Jackson said.

Although Jackson loves working as a substitute teacher, she wants to pursue a different career. She feels like she has more options now. She is still trying to figure out what her career will be.

As for the cancer, an operation in 2013 removed 90% of the tumor.

“About 10% is still there,” Jackson said. “It's about the size of an almond. It's not growing.”

Jackson has an MRI every year to make sure the tumor isn't growing. She said she isn't in remission because “there are still signs of the disease.”