JD Strong

Welcome to my registry! Hi, I’m Jackie…Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer thriver and proud mom of two amazing 14-year-olds. My friends and family call me “Iron Mom” ♥️💛 (Yes, I’m a huge MCU fan!) My cancer journey began at 17, when I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkin's Lymphoma. After more than 20 cancer-free years, my life changed again at the age of 36. I’ve now been living with metastatic breast cancer for over six years. While I’ve had periods of stability…and even underwent surgery in 2023 to remove a new Stage 2 tumor…this disease is incurable. There’s no true “remission,” and treatment is lifelong. Even when I appear well, cancer is always present. The pain, fatigue, side effects, scans, and emotional toll do not vanish just because my hair grew back,or I’m smiling for the camera. Behind every “you look great!” is a body and mind still fighting every single day, and a mom doing her best to show her kids what resilience looks like. Life doesn’t pause for cancer,or any of the additional medical and personal challenges I’m navigating. But through it all, I hold on to hope, gratitude, and the determination to keep moving forward. I remain in ongoing treatment every three weeks, alongside close cardiac monitoring due to the long-term effects of therapy on my heart. This plan will continue as long as it’s effective. Most recently another life changing event has put me in a position to now get through this disease alone. I no longer have someone to help with taking me to treatments, or being a support system. I am learning how to navigate life and how to do this on my own. This registry is about quality of life. I’m keeping it updated because my treatment doesn’t end until my life does…and while I’m here, I plan to live it fully, with strength, gratitude, and hope. Your kindness…whether through prayers, gifts, or simply sharing my story, helps me thrive. It helps me manage side effects, ease daily stress, and keep doing the things that make me feel alive. It allows me to create special memories with my children and give them experiences that keep life as “normal” as possible. It helps me stay active in adaptive martial arts 🥋, maintain healthy routines, cover treatments or co-pays not otherwise covered, and check off a few bucket-list wishes,that remind me life is still beautiful and worth celebrating. Sharing my story is also part of my journey, because raising awareness and connecting with others can save lives. I will do my best to keep this updated with my medical and life updates. By supporting me, you’re helping me not just survive this journey…you’re helping me thrive. I appreciate every single one of you, and all the support you have shown me and my children. It will never be forgotten! With love, gratitude, and strength, Jackie 🩵💚🩷 aka “Iron Mom” If you have ANY questions at all please feel free to contact me at JDinkoRN@gmail.com I am more than happy to provide you with any info, share my story, or support you if you are going through your own difficult time.