After receiving a diagnosis of Grade 4 glioblastoma and a prognosis of 12 to 18 months to live, Jess Michael began documenting her journey, including recording bedtime stories for her children. However, subsequent medical scans revealed an unexpected and unexplained outcome: no evidence of the tumour.
Michael, a mother of two and a senior HR professional in the mining industry, had initially dismissed symptoms such as severe migraines, visual auras, nausea, dizziness, and vertigo as stress-related. She described herself as a perfectionist who often pushed through physical discomfort to meet professional and family demands.
In January 2023, a routine MRI ordered by her GP revealed a 2.2cm lesion in her brain. Over the following six months, the lesion grew, leading to a consultation with a neurosurgeon in August 2023. The surgeon informed Michael that she had Grade 4 glioblastoma and a limited life expectancy.
Facing the gravity of her diagnosis, Michael took steps to prepare her family for the possibility of her death. She updated her will, created powers of attorney, and wrote letters to her children. She also recorded herself reading their favorite bedtime stories, a collection she keeps to this day.
Following the diagnosis, Michael commenced a treatment plan involving six weeks of radiation therapy and the chemotherapy drug temozolomide. When an initial scan showed the tumour had grown, she began exploring complementary therapies, including dietary changes, exercise, meditation, and supplements, in addition to her conventional treatment. Her medical treatment later shifted to Avastin infusions.
Michael has stated that she cannot definitively attribute her subsequent recovery to any single intervention, suggesting it was likely a combination of conventional and complementary approaches. Her scans began to show improvement, with the tumour ceasing to grow and then shrinking.
In December 2025, during a follow-up appointment, Michael's oncologist presented scan results that showed no sign of the tumour. This unexpected development led to an emotional reaction from Michael and her mother, who was present at the appointment.
Michael continues to receive treatment with Avastin every three weeks and remains under medical supervision. She has since written a book about her experience, titled "Defying the Diagnosis: A Survivor's Journey Towards Healing Stage 4 Cancer," detailing her journey from diagnosis to remission. She expressed a desire for an ordinary future, focused on watching her children grow.
