Jessica Gillilan
Nearly a decade after surviving Stage IV cancer, Jessica Gillilan has transformed unimaginable challenges into a life defined by gratitude, resilience, and purpose.
A Second Chance at Life: Jessica's Journey from Survival to Self-Discovery
If you spend time with Jessica Gillilan today, you’ll quickly notice her positivity.
Her life is centered around the things that bring her peace and purpose – spending time in nature; taking long drives; hiking with her German Shepherd, Haley, by her side; focusing on meditation and fitness; and embracing each day with gratitude.
But nearly a decade ago, her life looked very different.
Jessica, of Alderson, West Virginia, was struggling with her health, unaware that the symptoms she was experiencing were signs of a life-threatening illness.
In 2017, at just 25 years old, Jessica was living in circumstances she now describes as unhealthy and unstable. She remembers experiencing a persistent cough, losing her voice, difficulty sleeping, exhaustion, shortness of breath, and eventually struggling to breathe altogether. At the time, she attributed those symptoms to her environment and lifestyle.
“I didn’t realize they were symptoms of something serious,” Jessica said. “I thought they were just a result of the way I was living.”
Everything changed when a medical emergency led to an emergency tracheotomy at the nearest hospital. When Jessica woke up, she learned she had Stage IV squamous cell carcinoma (skin cancer). This is the most advanced form of this cancer; at this stage, the disease has spread to lymph nodes or invaded nearby tissue or bone.
Fortunately, she did not have long to sit with the fear and uncertainty of a cancer diagnosis before treatment began.
“I was diagnosed after my tracheotomy,” she said. “I can’t imagine the worry and fear I might have felt if I had known beforehand what treatment would be like.”
The Fight Forward
Jessica’s cancer journey required tremendous resilience. Following surgery, she underwent 35 rounds of radiation therapy and began a schedule of ongoing follow-up appointments with specialists and speech therapists.
The adjustments to daily life were significant. In addition to learning how to navigate the world with a permanent stoma and tracheostomy, she spent the first six months after surgery relying on a feeding tube.
Simple activities suddenly required planning and preparation. Traveling meant packing supplies. Public outings meant locating private spaces when needed for tracheostomy care. Everyday interactions sometimes brought stares or uncomfortable questions from strangers.
Yet Jessica refused to let those challenges define her.
Instead, she focused on what she could control – attending appointments, creating routines, learning about her new reality, and taking responsibility for her health.
“I handled the experience the best I could,” she said. “I didn’t want to give up.”
A New Perspective
While cancer changed Jessica’s life physically, its greatest impact may have been on her outlook.
“Having a life-and-death experience shaped my journey from the start,” she said. “I look at every experience the same way now – take the positive and leave behind what’s negative.”
Throughout her recovery, Jessica found strength through support groups, family, friends, co-workers, and the relationships she built along the way. She also developed practices that continue to guide her today, including meditation, exercise, reading, writing, and maintaining a healthy routine.
Those habits became the foundation of a completely new chapter.
“I’m a more positive, healthy, emotionally stable person since my trach,” Jessica said. “I’ve gained more value for my life and life in general for having gone through this.”
Today, Jessica works at an antique shop in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, where she enjoys creating displays and using her creativity in advertising. She also works part-time at an osteopathic clinic when needed. She finds fulfillment in helping others, staying active, and continuously seeking opportunities for personal growth.
Whether she’s hiking, practicing yoga and Pilates, exploring new places, or simply enjoying time outdoors with her dog, Jessica prioritizes her physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
“I focus on being healthy in every way I can,” she said. “Life is a joy and a challenge, but I try to fill my time with things that are good for my well-being.”
A Grateful Heart
Throughout her journey, Jessica has remained deeply grateful for the care she received through the WVU Cancer Institute. From diagnosis through recovery and now into survivorship, the support and expertise of her care team helped guide her through one of the most challenging experiences of her life.
Among those who have made a lasting impact is Tanya Fancy, MD, the Chief of Head and Neck Surgery at the Mary Babb Randolph Cancer Center, who continues to oversee Jessica’s follow-up care years after her treatment.
“Dr. Fancy has been a blessing,” Jessica said. “She’s positive, realistic, and explains things well. I love her. She has been there for me throughout my healing.”
For Jessica, Dr. Fancy’s care extends beyond medical expertise. She appreciates the way Dr. Fancy takes time to listen, answers questions honestly, and provides reassurance while helping her navigate life after cancer.
“She genuinely cares about her patients,” Jessica said. “She helps you understand what’s happening and makes you feel supported every step of the way.”
Jessica is also thankful for the many physicians, nurses, therapists, and staff members who played a role in her treatment and recovery. Their compassion, encouragement, and commitment helped her face each challenge with confidence and hope.
Now cancer-free, Jessica continues to attend annual follow-up visits with Dr. Fancy and celebrates each milestone with gratitude. Each appointment serves as a reminder of how far she has come since her diagnosis nearly a decade ago.
“When I go to my yearly checkup, I remember what it felt like to get through treatment,” she said. “It’s a reminder that I made it.”
Today, those visits are no longer just medical appointments – they are celebrations of health, healing, and the life Jessica has worked so hard to build.
Words of Encouragement
Looking back, Jessica sees her cancer journey as more than a survival story. It is a story of growth, healing, and choosing to move forward with intention.
Her message for others facing cancer is simple: “Find a purpose and fulfill it with joy, happiness, positivity, people, places, and fun. Accept what is. You have to choose to face your reality.”
She also encourages patients to stay engaged in their care.
“Keep your appointments, trust your doctors, do your part, and maintain a positive attitude,” she said. “It makes all the difference.”
Today, Jessica defines being a survivor not only as overcoming cancer, but also as having the opportunity to live a full and meaningful life after it.
“I am so grateful to have peace within myself and with others,” she said. “I hope people can read my story and feel encouraged. Life can change in ways you never expect, but there is still so much joy to be found.”
For Jessica, every day is a reminder that a second chance at life is something worth embracing.