In 2016, Jan, her husband, Michael, and their son, Ethan, were living a full and active life. They ran a successful small business, and Jan, a passionate martial artist, was a third-degree black belt in Kenpo karate and taught a kickboxing class.
Things took an unexpected turn that February. Jan started experiencing persistent pain in her left shoulder blade that got progressively worse. She went to her doctor and then several others, only to be told her ribs were likely cracked, or her shoulder or back was injured. But the pain continued. Almost three months later, a sudden cough sent lightning-bolt pain through her legs, which affected her ability to walk.
This pain set off alarm bells: something more was going on. Finally, after various scans, Jan had a diagnosis—an aggressive, stage IV non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) that had spread to her chest and spine.
Speed was critical: she was just days away from being completely paralyzed, and three weeks from losing her life. Her oncologist told her to pack a bag and come to the hospital immediately. She was admitted and began chemotherapy that very afternoon.
Through the pain, the scares, and the often-frustrating moments, Jan and Michael found a powerful anchor.
A simple mantra emerged: “Mike and I would just look at each other and say, ‘Onward.’ And I can't tell you how many times I've said that in the last however many years,” Jan shares. It helped her through more than five months of intense chemotherapy, followed by high-dose inpatient chemo and nearly a month of radiation. After all that, she reached remission.
It wasn’t until almost a year after finishing treatment that Jan truly grasped the severity of her diagnosis. Today, Jan is a survivor. Her experience inspires her to help others. That’s why she’s participated in Big Climb since 2022, raising critical funds for research, supporting patients through their toughest moments, and bringing awareness to blood cancers.
Jan also joined Blood Cancer United as an advocate, using her powerful story to influence legislation that protects patients and expands access to quality care.
"The more I advocated, the more I realized I want to make a difference,” she shares.
For Jan and her family, survivorship brings its own complexities—what they call “the adventure.” She channels her experience into her blog, Jan Says Onward, hoping her words help others through their own blood cancer diagnosis and beyond.
Jan
stage 4 non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL)
