Jessica’s Journey: A Nurse’s Fight Against Breast Cancer with Grit, Grace, and Gratitude

At 38, Jessica LaGrange was known for her calm under pressure. As an emergency room (ER) nurse at Lakeside Hospital, she was always the one delivering care—steady through every storm.

But in September 2024, she never imagined she’d become the patient facing the fight of her life.

A Subtle Sign and a Sudden Shift

Jessica first noticed something unusual in her left breast in March 2024.

“It wasn’t a lump and it didn’t hurt to the touch,” she said. “It just felt harder, like the tissue was denser. I thought maybe it was just part of getting older.”

With no family history of breast cancer and being under 40—the typical age to begin routine screening—Jessica had never had a mammogram. In June 2024, she started a new role as an ER nurse at Lakeside. The job change led to a two-month lapse in insurance coverage, delaying her ability to follow up on concerns about her breast.

Just three weeks into her new job, another symptom emerged.

“I got up from a chair during my night shift, and my right groin started hurting out of nowhere,” she said. “I’m an ER nurse, so I’m used to toughing things out. But this pain didn’t go away. It just got worse.”

Over the next several weeks, the pain spread from her groin to her hip, and eventually to her lower back. All the while, she was limping, working nights, and still waiting for her insurance to kick in.

That August, Jessica was in and out of East Jefferson General Hospital, visiting her mother-in-law, who was battling brain cancer. As her own pain worsened, she continued to push aside her symptoms. “I was in pain, but I didn’t have insurance yet, and my focus was on helping her,” she said. “I kept thinking I’d deal with it later.”

By the time she saw her OB-GYN, Louise Gautreaux, MD, at East Jefferson General Hospital, the dense tissue in her breast had developed into a defined lump. ‘The pain was throbbing,’ she recalled. Her provider took her concerns seriously and immediately ordered a mammogram and ultrasound. Jessica went to the imaging appointment alone, not expecting much until the mood in the room changed.

“You can tell when something’s wrong,” she said. “The tech and radiologist were looking at each other, and I just knew.”

In September 2024, a biopsy confirmed the devastating news: Jessica had Stage IV breast cancer. A subsequent CT scan revealed that it had already spread to her left lung, spine, and pelvis.

A Summer of Grief, Strength, and the Fight for Hope Amid Aggressive Treatment

Adding to the emotional toll, Jessica’s mother-in-law had passed away from brain cancer. Jessica described it as a spiritual intersection: “It felt like she chose to end her journey so I could start mine.”

Despite the whirlwind of grief and physical pain, Jessica found strength in her family, her husband, Danny, their sons (ages 6 and 12), her mother, and the incredible support network around her.

Jessica began radiation in October 2024 to address the persistent back pain she’d been experiencing for months—a pain that, she would learn, was likely caused by cancer that had spread to her spine. When breast cancer metastasizes to bones like the spine or pelvis, it can lead to severe discomfort. To help manage this, doctors often use palliative radiation therapy, which focuses on relieving symptoms.

Jessica completed 10 radiation sessions, then began eight rounds of chemotherapy at East Jefferson General Hospital’s infusion center, along with monthly IV treatments to protect her bones.

“The first chemo treatment was the hardest,” Jessica recalled. “I stopped being able to walk and had to use my mother-in-law’s walker for a while and even brought it on vacation with me. My energy would plummet by Friday and I’d spend the weekend in bed, but by Monday, I’d start to feel better again.”

The side effects were tough. Jessica lost her hair, struggled with severe inflammation of her tongue that made even water taste unpleasant, and battled fatigue. “Losing my taste was the worst. It was like having COVID over and over,” she said with a laugh. “But I never lost my sense of humor. You need it.”

Even during these challenging times, the support from the East Jefferson General Hospital team made a difference. “Every nurse, every doctor showed so much kindness,” Jessica said. “They weren’t just treating my cancer—they treated me like family. And this isn’t my family’s first time here. My mom had cervical cancer exactly 10 years before my diagnosis and was also treated at East Jefferson General Hospital. She had an incredible experience, too. I guess you could say I’m walking in her exact footsteps.”

East Jefferson General Hospital’s Personalized Oncology Services: More Than Just Treatment

East Jefferson General Hospital, recognized with the Commission on Cancer Accreditation from the American College of Surgeons, offers a comprehensive oncology program that supports patients every step of the way. They understand that hearing the words “you have cancer” is life-changing, but it’s not the end — it’s the beginning of a fight they’re prepared to take on alongside you.

Through the Cancer Care Navigator Program, each patient is paired with a dedicated navigator who helps organize treatment plans, answers questions, and guides families from diagnosis through survivorship. Beyond advanced medical treatments, the hospital incorporates holistic therapies such as massage, aromatherapy, and guided imagery into care plans, addressing the whole patient—not just the disease.

For Jessica, this personalized and compassionate approach made a world of difference. From her first appointments to every infusion, the oncology team at East Jefferson General Hospital was by her side, offering expert care and emotional support. Her care team helped ensure she and her family were informed and empowered throughout the process, allowing her to focus on what mattered most: healing.

A Milestone Marked by Strength and Hope

Routine scans during Jessica’s treatment showed promising results, with tumors in her spine, pelvis, and lung shrinking. She completed chemotherapy in April 2025—a milestone marked by ringing the traditional cancer treatment bell, surrounded by family, friends, physicians, and her nurses.

It was a moment of joy, resilience, and gratitude—but also one of deep reflection, as she faced the reality that while the cancer had responded well to treatment, it was not curable.
“It broke me. But I rang that bell anyway.”

Life After Chemotherapy

Today, Jessica has transitioned to the next phase of her treatment: endocrine therapy—daily oral medication that suppresses the hormones fueling her cancer. She also recently underwent surgery to remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes to further reduce hormone production.

Her follow-up care includes regular visits with her oncologist at East Jefferson General Hospital and routine PET scans to monitor her progress. So far, the tumors have continued to shrink.

Jessica credits her resilience to the support of her husband, her sons, and especially her mother. “My mom is my angel,” she said. “She’s been to every doctor’s appointment, does my laundry, deals with pharmacies, cooks, cleans—everything. I don’t think I could’ve done this without her. She too has battled cancer – cervical cancer, and she is one of the strongest, courageous and resilient person that I know.”

A Message for Others

To others on similar journeys, Jessica offers this advice: “Find anything positive out of it. Because if you don’t, you’ll sink. You have to stay hopeful, even when it’s hard. Let people love you. Let them help.”

Despite ongoing pain that has kept her from returning to work, Jessica remains grounded in gratitude. Her community has shown up in remarkable ways—through fundraisers, thoughtful messages, home-cooked meals, and unwavering support. “The experience with the care team at East Jefferson General Hospital has been wonderful,” she said. “Honestly, every time I went, I brought a gift for a nurse. I’d tell them, ‘You saved my life.’ All the nurses have been amazing, and the doctors have been great. It’s truly been a blessing.”

She may no longer be in scrubs for right now, but Jessica is still saving lives—this time by sharing her own story with raw honesty and fierce compassion.

For more information about the Oncology Services at East Jefferson General Hospital, visit Cancer Care & Oncology Metairie, LA | East Jefferson General Hospital