When Dr. Jo Everett, an adult psychiatrist at the Kaiser Permanente San Bernardino Mental Health Clinic, was preparing to begin her senior year of college at the University of San Diego in 2006, she never imagined the dramatic shift her life was about to take. Over Labor Day weekend, persistent shortness of breath sent her to see a doctor at the Fontana Medical Center. An X-ray revealed a collapsed lung and what looked like an enlarged heart. It was later discovered to be a tumor.
Jo was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system, which is part of the body's germ-fighting immune system. In Hodgkin's lymphoma, white blood cells called lymphocytes grow out of control, causing swollen lymph nodes and growth throughout the body. As the cancer progresses, it limits the body's ability to fight infection.
Balancing school assignments during times of chemotherapy and radiation can be difficult, especially with the varying side effects of cancer treatment. Jo decided that school would have to be deferred as chemotherapy and radiation treatment became the priority.
However, some good things happened that Fall. Jo became engaged and spent her time during chemo treatment planning her wedding, which would take place the following June. “The chemotherapy nurses were amazing,” Jo said. “They were very encouraging and supportive.”
She also applied to medical school during her time in chemo and was accepted into the Loma Linda University School of Medicine. She had originally planned to study oncology, which might run in the family as her dad specializes in GYN oncology. But her cancer fight moved her to want to become a psychiatrist and help people working through recovery and mental health.
During her last year of medical school, she was also diagnosed with thyroid cancer. She underwent surgery and further treatment.
Today, Dr. Everett’s life has come full circle. “I was treated for cancer at Kaiser Permanente in my 20s, and with my successful treatment was able to go on to complete medical school and residency. I have now come back to treat Kaiser Permanente patients,” she said.
Kaiser Permanente has played a significant role in all aspects of Dr. Everett’s life. She is now clear of cancer, and she works in the same clinic where she trained as a resident. She has two children, who also happened to be delivered at the Fontana Medical Center.
“I am very grateful to Kaiser Permanente,” Dr. Everett said. “Surviving cancer has given me and my husband a new outlook on life. We do our best to be aware of and grateful for all the positive things in our lives. We have made it a goal to celebrate even the little things.”