22 | My Body Is Not My Enemy

At 18, Jessica Sanchez thought she was dealing with wisdom tooth pain. Instead, doctors found a tumor that would lead to 18 surgeries, chemotherapy, and a near-fatal bleedout. Years later, she faced another harrowing battle: an ectopic pregnancy and rupture that nearly killed her. Jessica’s journey was made even more perilous by political barriers to reproductive healthcare. 

The repeated medical traumas—from cancer to miscarriage to near-drowning—stacked one on top of another until her nervous system froze, shutting her down in order to survive. Yet her breakthrough came when she realized her body was not her enemy but a messenger, urging her to pause, listen, and heal.

In this raw and unflinching conversation, Jessica shares how she learned to listen to her body, survive the freeze of PTSD, and find strength in compassion. 

Story Producer: Nicholas Tecosky

Artist: Jeramy Muxworthy 

* If you have a transformative near-death experience to share, we’d love to hear your story. Please email us at [email protected] 

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