Life as a Cancer Survivor
- “Love Island” star Demi Jones, 24, recently posted a picture from when she underwent thyroid cancer treatment two years ago, saying she has “come a long way.”
- Jones was diagnosed with thyroid cancer after first finding a lump the size of a golf ball on her neck in 2019.
- After two surgeries and radiation, she shared she was cancer-free in December 2021.
- Life after cancer can look different, but that doesn't have to be a bad thing.
- One survivor told us allowing the experience to broaden your perspective on the life that you want “will take you places where you didn't even know existed.”
The 24-year-old TV star was known for her bubbly personality on “Love Island” in 2020, but there’s a lot more to her story than just a positive outlook on life. She’s also a brave thyroid cancer survivor. In a recent Instagram story, she shared a photo from her time in the hospital immediately following her first treatment.
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“2 years ago today I had my first Cancer surgery,” she wrote.
In another Instagram story, she shared a touching sentiment about life as a cancer survivor.
“I’ve come a long way,” she wrote. “Sending all my love to all my fellow Thyroid and cancer fighters! You’ve got this.”
Afterward, she said people on social media began sending her pictures of what they thought were suspicious lumps on their necks. She encouraged them to see their physician because she’s not a doctor, but it’s amazing to see how much she inspired others to be vigilant of their bodies and health.
Demi Jones’ Cancer Battle
Demi Jones was diagnosed with thyroid cancer after first finding a lump the size of a golf ball on her neck in 2019.
“I literally had no other symptoms, which was crazy, just this weird shaped lump that was in my neck for a couple of years,” she reportedly explained on her Instagram story.
“I did feel like it was starting to get bigger so that’s when I finally told them [doctors] ‘you need to get me to a specialist,’ and that’s when I started to worry.”
Jones underwent two surgeries and radiation for treatment. She kept fans in the loop throughout her cancer battle and shared an honest look into the after-effects of treatment.
"When I first had the surgery, I was sleeping all day every day, and my mum was really concerned,” she reportedly told OK Magazine.
“But they increased my dosage of levothyroxine [thyroid hormone replacement] which has given me a bit more energy. So, I am keeping up with that."
Thankfully, her treatment path proved successful and she was cancer free in December 2021.
View this post on Instagram
“I'M CANCER FREE!!!! I did it!” she wrote under a photo of her standing outside her hospital.
“I got my full body scan results back and there's not a single cancer cell left in my body 🙌 it's been such a difficult year mentally and physically for me with my surgeries and treatment but I'm beyond grateful for everyone's kindness and support over this past year.
“I will continue to be an advocate for cancer awareness and all my love and strength goes out to those who continue to fight this awful disease, here's to a healthy and happy 2022.”
Celebrating Life After Cancer
Demi Jones is not afraid to admit that life on the other side of cancer is different. But that doesn’t have to be a negative thing.
“The people I’ve spoken to with cancer, we always say there’s life before cancer and there’s life after cancer and it’s never the same,” she said.
“You have to differentiate your life in two sections, so I’m learning to live with it and I’m learning to live with side effects and everything. But everything is going brilliant.”
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In a previous conversation with SurvivorNet, Hodgkin lymphoma survivor CC Webster reflected on the beauty and hardship of life after cancer.
"In life after cancer, I experienced an entirely new level of anxiety that I didn't know existed," she said. "Earth shattering anxiety that makes you sweat, and makes your heart race.
"I had to learn how to manage myself in that, and how to allow myself to process the trauma that I had just been through."
Follow That Fire: Life After Cancer Will be Different, That Doesn't Have to be a Bad Thing
Once Webster was able to process the anxiety that "came from not knowing the ways in which [she] had changed," she found freedom in living life on her own terms.
"The thing that helped me the most in managing myself is to allow yourself to process the worry," she said. "If you're brave enough to look fear or worry or anxiety in the face, it goes away.
"The whole process of being sick, especially at a young age, gives you more perspective on yourself and on the life that you want, because we've gotten the second chance. And if you can be bad ass enough to follow that fire, it is an amazing thing. It will take you places where you didn't even know existed."
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