A woman who could barely walk around the block 12 months ago after recovering from a cancer diagnosis is now competing against – and beating – world champion bodybuilders.
In the last two years, Kaity Jade, from Portland NSW, swapped chemotherapy for cardio after overcoming stage four hodgkin’s lymphoma.
The 28-year-old’s miraculous turn around took her from the depths of depression, to the world stage – where she is now flaunting her muscly physique against the best in the business.
She says that before being diagnosed with the deadly illness she had just felt a bit tired.
Kaity Jade, 28, (pictured) was diagnosed with stage four hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2016
Kaity is pictured here during her treatment period where she lost all of her hair
‘I was diagnosed May Friday 13th 2016 after first having glandular fever. My only symptom at that stage was fatigue and a raised gland on my groin which was unusual for me,’ she told Daily Mail Australia.
‘At first the doctor thought it may have been an infection of some sort so sent me for an ultrasound where they found a small lump on my ovary which they thought may have been a cyst.’
They found four lumps in total but when Kaity walked into her GP’s office the then 27-year-old was thinking about what she’d have for dinner that night and needed to do tomorrow – completely oblivious to the news she was about to hear.
‘I went in to see what the outcome was, thinking I was going in for some antibiotics to clear an infection and ended up leaving with a cancer diagnosis.’
In just a few weeks the cancer spread throughout her body.
‘By the time I had had my biopsy and pet scan a couple weeks later, the cancer had spread so I was scheduled for chemotherapy as soon as possible.’
After a year of treatment for the deadly cancer Kaity (pictured right at the Would Fitness and Fashion competitions) finally went into remission
When she received the news she was in the clear she suffered from depression. To help her mental health she started walking around the block
To be diagnosed with stage four, the cancer has to spread outside the lymphatic system and into an organ.
There is a one in six chance of surviving the diagnosis.
For Kaity, it just wasn’t just about survival, it was also about losing the future she envisioned as a mother.
‘Fertility was so important to me so I had my eggs harvested the day before I began chemotherapy.’
Kaity’s partner was unable to care for her due to work travel self while going through the five week treatment she was transferred to Bathurst so her family could care for her.
To be diagnosed with stage four, the cancer has to spread outside the lymphatic system and into an organ
For Kaity, it just wasn’t just about survival, it was also about losing the future she envisioned as a mother
‘After the first treatment I became very week and unresponsive. It was as if the life had been sucked out of me and my bones felt bruised and I had no emotion in my face what so ever.’
‘I think when you are faced with something life threatening like cancer, you find this inner strength you never knew you had and somehow manage to shut off all emotions just to stay strong for yourself and those around you.’
After a year of on again, off again chemo, constant treatment and regular hospital visits Kaity was given the all-clear. But remission came with a flood of feelings she did not expect.
‘Then once I was deemed in remission, a celebration was had with me now being cancer free but at the same time I fell into depression as I was still recovering from the effects of the chemotherapy and still couldn’t work.
After a year of on again, off again chemo and, constant treatment and regular hospital visits Kaity was given the all-clear
But remission came with a flood of feelings she did not expect
‘It was at this point where all of those emotions I shut off during treatment all caught up to me and I struggled to cope with them all at once.’
To save herself, Kaity turned to fitness. When she started out she could barely walk round the block – now she hits the gym six times a week.
‘Some days I would go to the gym, spend 5 minutes on a machine and then walk out and go home. But at this point it wasn’t about getting in a solid workout and building muscles, it was just about building that routine and healthy relationship with myself.
‘The whole point was to just keep showing up until it became the normal thing to do and then once that habit was established, I could then build on it from there.’
To save herself, Kaity turned to fitness. When she started out she could barely walk round the block, now she hits the gym six times a week
Kaity now competes in global competitions, recently taking home the title in this year’s transformation title for the World Fitness and Fashion competitions.
‘The reason for competing in the transformation category wasn’t just to take home that trophy, it was to celebrate my health, fitness and my mental strength I have worked so hard for this last year.
‘I wanted to show others struggling with similar battles that life after cancer can be just as amazing, if not better than before and that if you can keep a positive mind frame no matter what challenges you are faced with, your chances of success are so much greater.’
Kaity is determined to compete in the bikini division at next year’s competition and has already started training.
‘I am all about turning dreams into reality,’ she says.