At 25, Jess is living with terminal cancer. This is what she wants you to know.

A few years ago, Jess was working as a lifeguard at Disney World in Florida, living an entirely different life to the one she is living now.

While in America, Jess noticed that her health wasn't 100 per cent - she suffered frequent headaches, migraines and bouts of vomiting - but didn't think it was too serious. So in late 2018, she decided to go travelling with her high-school sweetheart Kilian. 

And then Jess' health became worse. The headaches were growing more severe, and she was struggling to hear and see. Soon the decision was made to travel back to Australia. 

"When Kilian and I flew home, my parents were there to pick us up from the airport. Coming through the gates, I couldn't see them because my eyesight was that bad. Kilian was behind me, trying to tell me they were in front of us but I struggled to hear him too," Jess said to Mamamia.

Worried about her worsening symptoms, Jess went straight to the hospital where she underwent tests, which revealed she had a mass on her brain.

"I ended up having surgery to get a biopsy of the mass and they put a stent in my skull so that it would drain all the fluid in my brain."

Jess almost convinced herself that it was a non-cancerous mass as she waited for the biopsy results.

But then her surgeon gave her the diagnosis she hadn't given herself permission to think about. It was cancer, specifically glioblastoma - an aggressive type of cancer that can occur in the brain or spinal cord. 

Jess after getting one of her surgeries. Image: Supplied.

Jess was just 22 years old. 

"I remember Mum, Dad and Kilian were there. When the surgeon said it was brain cancer, they all grabbed my shoulders from behind and I just started crying. They said they couldn't operate on it because of the tumour's location. So I was referred to radiation and oncology."

Initial radiation and chemo treatment shrunk the tumour by half its size, but in 2021, Jess was struck by a severe migraine and couldn't speak. 

A second tumour was then discovered, in a part of the brain responsible for involuntary functions, followed by additional tumours on her spine. Further radiation would put Jess at risk of losing her ability to walk, talk, blink or even breathe. 

"They didn't initially tell me that it was terminal, or how long they expected me to live. It was only when I was trying to access my superannuation that they confirmed with me the news. To access your super at such a young age, one of the conditions is if you have a terminal illness, or a disability which prevents you from working. When I went back to the doctors, they said this sort of cancer had no cure," Jess said.

Doctors estimated Jess had between 12 and 16 months to live.

"It was devastating. It was tough for everyone, my parents and Kilian included."

Watch Johnny Ruffo speak about his experience with brain cancer. Post continues below.

With time not on their side, Killian, who Jess began dating just after high school, made a big decision. 

The pair had gone for lunch with Jess' parents and knew they were about to go into lockdown due to the pandemic the following day. They were driving home in pouring rain, when the storm stopped suddenly. Killian pulled over and asked Jess to walk to the riverside with him.

There, he popped the question. 

"I was a little suspicious that he was going to ask me to marry him, and when he did it was so nice," Jess told Mamamia. 

With help from friends and family, they managed to pull together a beautiful wedding in under two months.

It was a special day with 60 of their closest friends and family. It was also the only sunny weekend in the entire month of August. Fortunately, at that point in Perth, lockdowns had ceased, meaning the family could celebrate the occasion all together. 

"I loved my wedding dress, and everything came together so well. Everyone there has supported us over the last few years, so it was very special. The venue was lovely as well. We managed to fit in the wedding just before I commenced further cancer treatment," Jess said.

Today, three and a half years on from her diagnosis, Jess has defied doctors' expectations, but she knows the chance of her surviving more than five years post diagnosis is just five per cent.

She is undergoing various treatments including infusions and IV therapy. While they won't cure her cancer, there will ensure a stable quality of life for Jess for as long as possible.

Jess is making the most of the time she has lef, hanging out with her husband, family and gorgeous rescue dog.

Jess and her now-husband. Image: Supplied.

Jess is also trying to leave her mark in other ways. An ambassador for Canteen's Bandanna Day which is on Friday October 28, she is raising vital funds to help ensure no young person has to experience cancer alone. 

She is determined to raise awareness for youth impacted by cancer - sharing her story in support of Canteen's National Bandanna Day.

"I want my family to be able to say once the cancer gets the better of me that 'yes Jess had cancer, but look what she was able to do despite it'. I first joined Canteen at the end of 2019, and it was really nice to go to the meet-ups and events. I went with my sister, as Canteen supports the children and siblings of those who have cancer as well. The next year I joined their local leadership team and there's been so many opportunities to speak and raise money," Jess said to Mamamia. 

"It's so nice to be able to take control of this situation I'm in and use it for something that's really positive and can benefit more people."

It's this concept of control that has been challenging for Jess. Because ultimately, cancer is a situation that we have minimal control over. With that in mind, Jess says she and her husband have had to have some important conversations about their future too. 

"When I was having radiation and considering the spot I was getting it in, there were a lot of risks. Kilian and I had to have those tough chats about what my wishes would be if I were to lose capacity. Those aren't nice conversations to have - they're hard. Even like buying an apartment, we had to make sure it was in his name."

They are conversations Jess didn't expect she would be having age 25.

"Kilian is doing alright - I guess as well as you can expect for someone who has been told their loved one is dying. He's done an amazing job supporting us."

Using her voice to help other young people impacted by cancer, Jess wants the people who read this article to know one key message - it doesn't cost anything to be kind.

"I think one thing that my cancer has taught me is that you never know what someone's going through. I don't particularly look sick or anything like that. So something that I've taken away from this is to just lead with kindness. I just want to bring a bit of positivity into the world. And that's what I plan to do."

Jess is an ambassador for Canteen's Bandanna Day which is on Friday 28th October, raising vital funds to help ensure no young person has to experience cancer alone. You can buy a bandanna or sign up for a 'cut, colour or cover' hair dare at bandannaday.org.au.

Feature Image: Supplied.