1 week Ago
PHOENIX — A Phoenix mom of four, who was diagnosed with colorectal cancer, is counting her blessings after a Valley doctor and a new treatment saved her. Shannon Jacobo shared her story with 12News journalist Trisha Hendricks. The story is one of triumph after trial, following an intense journey.
Jacobo decided to share her story to educate others on colorectal cancer. While it’s something we may not hear about often, the reality is that colorectal cancer is the fourth most diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in Arizona. “I personally waited over a year with some abdominal pains that I just chalked up to everyday life.
.. stress,” said Jacobo.
But when she got checked, she heard heartbreaking news. “I don’t want to say it was too late, but it was too late,” she said. After a colonoscopy in June 2022, she was diagnosed with colon cancer.
“They had me in surgery within two weeks and they removed a foot from my colon,” said Jacobo. “That surgeon was amazing..
. he got everything, and so I walked out of there thinking – ‘fantastic.’” But after a PET, doctors told her it had spread to her liver.
“...
and so, it starts all over again,” she said. Jacobo says it felt like a life sentence hearing the words "stage four." “I knew I wasn’t ready to leave my family, and so, I was in this for the fight,” said Jacobo.
“I wanted to be here...
I wanted to see my kids get married...
I wanted to see my grandkids...
I wasn’t ready, and so for me, I allowed myself the tears and I said, ‘let’s do this.’” Jacobo says chemo was rough. “It sucked the life out of me,” she said.
Finally, she reached a turning point when she found Dr. Rajesh Ramanathan at the Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center. Jacobo learned about a new treatment they started offering called Hepatic Artery Infusion or HAI therapy, a form of chemotherapy.
“Instead of the chemotherapy going throughout the body and causing side effects throughout the body, we put a catheter and a pump in, which directs the chemotherapy directly to the liver, which is where the cancers are,” said Dr. Ramanathan. “It allows us to give much higher doses of chemotherapy, but at the same time, have a lot less side effects.
” Dr. Ramanathan says it allowed Shannon to not just have the surgeries but to clear the liver to prevent it from coming back. “.
..and what our hope with Shannon is, is that the cancer is hopefully gone for good,” said Dr.
Ramanathan. “I literally feel like I owe my journey to him and his staff for where I’m at right now,” said Jacobo. “She’s been tremendous,” said Dr.
Ramanathan. Now, after two years of chemo and five surgeries, Jacobo is cancer-free and has a strong message for others. “Get checked,” she said.
“If you’re feeling any sort of discomfort in your belly, go get checked.” It’s a message that could end up saving your life or one of your loved ones. And to Dr.
Ramanathan- “Thank you,” she said. “Thank you so much for giving me my life back.” Since Jacobo’s HAI surgery, doctors told her she’s in the clear and only has to get checked every two years.
She is now savoring the flavors of healthier foods, rather than the sweets she used to live for. And now, Jacobo is a certified nutrition consultant on a mission to help others, especially cancer patients..
