My name is Jessica Hobbler-Watkins. I am 31 years old. I live in Northside, Alabama with my hubby of 4 years, Johnny. I work at Dollar General and enjoy making people laugh and smile (my nickname is Bubbles for a reason).
I am a 3-time cancer survivor, as cancer seems to be my nemesis. However, each time I am faced with it, I have prevailed. My battle began when I was 6 years old and was diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia. I underwent TBI (total body radiation) as well as chemo. Two days before my 7th birthday I had a bone marrow transplant. My Dad was my donor, even though he was not a perfect match. He was my only chance as the two perfect matches backed out at the last minute. My Mom and Dad and a host of family and friends held onto HOPE and FAITH that my BMT would be a cure and I would survive my first battle. After spending 28 days within the confines of my room, my counts started to come up and I was finally released to go home.
Then 16 years later I received a call from my ENT doctor asking me to come in for a biopsy for fear of cancer on my vocal chords. It was squamous cell laryngeal carcinoma. I was treated with 33 localized radiation treatments. After 2 years, I was finally cancer free for the second time.
But my cancer journey does not stop there…a few months later, I was diagnosed with skin cancer. The cancer had migrated to the outside of my body. My doctor removed all of this and I am now cancer free again! Praise the Lord.
If I can leave a few words with you, I will say this “stay strong, have faith, stay positive, be a light in the tunnel, lift others up, and most of all BE YOU-TIFUL.”