My brother was diagnosed with an aggressive form of esophageal cancer in the first few months of 2024. Once our family had selected an oncologist, a team of cancer specialists was gathered to oversee his treatment and long-term care. The best that could be hoped for was to extend his life as long as possible while maintaining his quality of life at the same time.

My brother was informed from the very beginning that his cancer would never be cured and that the best that he could hope for was to suppress its spread for as long as possible with radiation, chemotherapy, surgery to remove the lower two-thirds of his esophagus, and immunotherapy afterwards. His original cancer care team included an oncologist, a radiologist, a surgeon, and Jessica, his cancer navigator.

Throughout his nearly two-year cancer journey, our family has interacted with literally dozens of St. Vincent Hospital medical staff. Each of these individuals was found to be compassionate, caring, and empathetic. We wish to take nothing away from any of those individuals' interactions with our family. We have interacted with two different oncologists, two different radiologists, multiple infusion nurses, and imaging technicians. But the one steadfast team member has always been our beloved cancer navigator, Jessica.

The consistent, never-ending measure of her devotion to what she does each and every day is unparalleled! Jessica has always made us feel as though our family is the only active cancer case she has to deal with. I'm certain that her caseload must be extremely overwhelming, yet she never makes us feel anything less than her main priority in each and every encounter. Jessica texts and calls frequently to check in not only on my brother, but also on myself, his primary caregiver. She will make time to come sit and visit with us when we arrive at the Cancer Center for an imaging appointment. She has come by the infusion center unannounced and visited with us during the long hours of his chemotherapy sessions.

At every twist and turn along this cancer journey, Jessica has been there for both my brother and our family. She has shared resources with us within hours of a request every time that I have reached out to her in need. From a mental health therapist experienced in treating cancer patients who suffer from the quality-of-life issues associated with the suffering and side effects of cancer treatment, to, in the end, several hospice services we could interview once my brother's cancer stopped responding to treatment and began to spread.

I have now withdrawn my brother from any further cancer treatment and enrolled him in hospice care to prepare him for the inevitable day and hour that he leaves this world for the next. I reached out to Jessica to thank her for all she has done to make this journey less stressful and more comfortable. In that conversation, she expressed a desire to come visit with us at home while he is still alert and coherent. What medical professional does that? I explained to her that we love her just like a family member and that our door is always open and available to her. What a blessing and a miracle Jessica has been to my brother, me, and our entire family.