Every cancer story is unique, but each one carries the same thread of courage and hope. For every cancer patient, the journey is filled with challenges, small victories, and moments that redefine strength. At Rutledge Cancer Foundation, we’re honored to share stories of cancer survivors who continue to inspire us with their resilience and the way they embrace life after cancer.
A Message to Live By
“Cancer will forever be a part of your life, but you have to keep living and keep doing the things that you love.”
That’s the advice Jessika Ramirez gives to anyone newly diagnosed with cancer — and it’s advice she has learned to live by since her own diagnosis in 2017, when she was just 23 years old.
An Unexpected Diagnosis
Jessika had coped with painful cramps during her period since she was a teen. It was something she learned to live with — until one day, the pain became so unbearable that she was convinced her appendix had ruptured.
A trip to the emergency room would mark the beginning of a long and uncertain journey — and the first of many hospital visits over the next eight years.
Initial imaging was inconclusive, but doctors suspected a twisted ovary, a potentially life-threatening condition, and rushed Jessika into surgery. During the procedure, they discovered tumors, though their nature was unclear.
After several months and multiple surgeries — including a partial hysterectomy and the removal of her ovaries and appendix — Jessika finally received her diagnosis: Stage 3B low-grade ovarian carcinoma, an advanced but slow-growing cancer.
Fighting Through the Unknown
The surgeries and chemotherapy eventually put Jessika into remission for four years. But they also took away her ability to have children — something that was heartbreaking for her.
“After I finished treatment, I was relieved to be in remission, but I found myself in a dark place wondering where my life was going and what exactly my purpose was.”
At the time of her diagnosis, Jessika had been working a job she didn’t enjoy. When her treatment ended, she knew it was time to make a change — to find meaning in her new life after cancer.
Finding Purpose After Remission
A lifelong animal lover, Jessika decided to apply for a job at an animal clinic. Fate stepped in — not only was she hired, but she quickly advanced from receptionist to veterinary technician within her first year.
Jessika had finally found a calling that gave her a sense of purpose and healing.
“This job saved my life,” she says gratefully.
Her love for animals became the career that helped her rebuild her spirit and sense of self.
Connecting Through Community
Around the same time, Jessika noticed a flier in her oncologist’s office for a Rutledge Cancer Foundation (RCF) patient event — a shopping night at Kendra Scott. She decided to attend, and soon after, joined another RCF outing: a drive-in movie event.
Since then, Jessika has become a regular at RCF gatherings, including the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo and Boo at the Zoo.
Through RCF, she’s found friendship, emotional support, and opportunities to make lasting memories with her loved ones.
“Those events have allowed me to make a lot of memories that I otherwise wouldn’t have been able to afford,” Jessika says. “I don’t have children, but I have nieces, and we’ve made great memories at those events.”
When Cancer Returned
For four years, Jessika’s life found a new rhythm — filled with work she loved and meaningful connections through RCF. But in 2021, that rhythm was disrupted when her cancer returned. A scan revealed that it had metastasized into her pelvic lymph nodes.
“For a while a treatment will work,” Jessika explains. “And then my body just stops responding to it, or I start having awful side effects.”
In May of last year, a routine CT scan revealed new tumors in her lungs, right clavicle, and kidney. Yet, by incredible timing, the FDA approved a new treatment that same day — one specifically designed for her cancer’s genetic mutation. She has been on that treatment ever since.
Today, living with uncertainty has become a way of life for Jessika. But she continues to move forward, managing her stress with grace and humor.
And luckily, her job continues to bring her happiness and a sense of pride and responsibility.
“At my job, I’ve become known as the anxious dog whisperer,” she laughs. “I just have this way of getting them to calm down.”
An Unexpected Connection
Meanwhile, Laura Rutledge, co-founder of RCF, began to worry about a growth on her dog Juno’s foot.
Juno wasn’t just any dog — she had belonged to Laura’s daughter, Carley, who passed away from cancer in 2021. When Laura and her husband, John, inherited Juno, the bond carried deep emotional meaning.
Looking for answers, Laura brought Juno to Dr. Sara Caty Cochrum, a trusted veterinarian who had also been one of Carley’s close friends.
When Juno came into the clinic, Jessika’s “dog whisperer” skills were called upon — Juno, known for her anxiety, immediately calmed in Jessika’s presence. Over several visits, Dr. Cochrum shared Carley’s story with Jessika, explaining Juno’s special connection to the Rutledge family.
“Finally, one day, a light bulb went off,” Jessika laughs. “I knew about the Rutledge Cancer Foundation and I knew Juno Rutledge — but it didn’t immediately click that the founders of the organization that had helped me so much were also the parents of my favorite patient.”
Thankfully, Dr. Cochrum was able to rule out cancer for Juno — and through this coincidence, Jessika and Laura discovered a powerful, healing connection.
Living in the Present, Hoping for Tomorrow
Today, Jessika continues to navigate treatment while embracing each moment with intention.
Before her diagnosis, she lived an active lifestyle and was deeply involved in weightlifting. Now, she finds peace through yoga, journaling, and quiet reflection.
Jessika’s story is a powerful reminder that life is fragile — but also full of beauty and meaning, even in the face of uncertainty.
“Cancer will always be a part of my life,” Jessika says. “But it won’t define it.
A Final Thought
Jessika’s journey reminds us all to keep living, keep loving, and keep doing the things that make life worth living — no matter what challenges come our way.
Are you a cancer survivor interested in telling your story, sharing advice or lessons learned during your cancer journey? We believe everyone’s story is unique, but there’s a powerful connection between anyone who’s faced cancer. By sharing your story, you can inspire and give hope to others who are going through similar struggles.
Please contact Kelly Wooley, Marketing and Communications Manager, if you’re interested. We would love to hear from you!
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