This is Jessi Davidson: Resilience, Community, and the Power of Early Detection
- This Is Rutherford
- Oct 2
- 7 min read
By Jennifer Ersalesi
Photo credits: Jessi Davidson
During Breast Cancer Awareness month, This is Rutherford spoke with Rutherford resident, Realtor, and community volunteer who is known for her welcoming smile and generous heart. After being diagnosed with breast cancer, Jessi Davidson turned not only to her doctors, oncologists, and nurses, but also to many businesses located right in her own town to help her on her journey to wellness. This is Rutherford spoke with Jessi to learn more about how she faced her diagnosis with courage and support.
TIR: How did your journey with breast cancer begin?
Jessi Davidson: On January 16, 2025, I went in for a routine mammogram and was told they saw something that needed further examination. I will never forget the grave look on the doctor’s face while he delivered the findings. Leaving that office was a blur, and the first thing I did was call my husband. The tears were flowing down my cheeks as I voiced my new reality. And so began many tests and deep dives into all things cancer.
TIR: What helped you face those early days after your diagnosis?
JD: Mindset. I’ve always believed that if you don’t feel a semblance of control, you can become lost. I reminded myself every day that I could choose how to respond, even if I couldn’t choose what happened to me. That mindset set the tone for my journey.
TIR: What medical treatments did you undergo after your diagnosis?
JD: On February 13, 2025, I had a lumpectomy. That morning, Michael took me to the hospital for the blue contrast dye injection, which helps guide the surgeon to the sentinel lymph node — a critical step in determining whether the cancer had spread. I’ll never forget checking in at the hospital. As I handed over my insurance card, the receptionist ran the information and looked up saying, “Wow, you have good insurance!” Without missing a beat, I joked, “I married him for his insurance.” We all laughed, and in that moment, the heaviness lifted just a little. Humor carried me through so many tough moments.
Thankfully, our insurance did cover so much of the costs. Having that financial burden eased gave me comfort and allowed me to focus on healing.
TIR: What other medical treatments were part of your recovery?
JD: In April, I underwent 15 radiation sessions — every weekday, Monday through Friday. I chose to go first thing in the morning so I could continue with my day afterward. While the treatments themselves weren’t painful, they were difficult in a different way. I’m a very modest person, and having to bear it all for therapy was a real struggle for me.
At one point, I asked for female technicians, but in the mornings, Summit only had men on staff. I remember a moment when one of the technicians shared with me that his mother had breast cancer, and that his reason for getting into radiation therapy was to care for more mothers who needed it. Hearing that shifted my perspective — I realized these weren’t just technicians, they were caregivers. In that moment, I pushed past my modesty and trusted that I was in the hands of people who truly cared.
Photos below (submitted by Jessi Davidson): Jessi and Shay Davis (owner of Fond &. Faye) and Jessi at Fond & Faye (Photo credits: Jenny King)
TIR: How did local Rutherford businesses support you during treatment?
JD: I leaned heavily on BodySculptors and Fond and Faye Spa. At BodySculptors, I went through hyperbaric oxygen therapy, PEMF therapy, sauna sessions, red light therapy, and working out. Ken Hopson, the owner, is a cancer survivor himself, and his wisdom and confidence in me were invaluable. Ken Hopson explained more about how he was able to assist Jessi.
"Going through cancer was the hardest challenge of my life, being a survivor myself, so after being confided in by Jessi about her breast cancer diagnosis, I wanted to provide as much support as possible by sharing my experiences with cancer treatment while also treating her at BodySculptors, which helped make an incredible difference in her recovery.
We provided two very important therapies to help treat Jessi. PEMF and HBOT (Hyberbaric Oxygen Therapy. Jessi started every session with PEMF therapy, which uses electromagnetic fields to stimulate cellular repair and reduce inflammation, and which helps those who have had lymph nodes removed. PEMF can help decrease swelling (lymphedema), promote healing of surgical sites, and support overall tissue recovery. Then we followed PEMF with HOT by breathing in pure oxygen in the pressurized chamber, which helped Jessi increase the amount of oxygen delivered to tissues throughout her body. This can accelerate wound healing after surgery, reduce tissue damage from radiation or chemotherapy, and support immune function. This also helped assist Jessi while recovering from lymph node removal and helped reduce side effects from radiation. Together, these therapies provide a holistic approach to healing- helping patients like Jessi feel stronger, recover faster, and manage the side effects of cancer treatment with comfort and resilience.
Jessi showed exceptional strength and positivity during the whole process, and I am proud to call her a sister in cancer survival. BodySculptors will continue to provide these therapies to anyone who is suffering from cancer, chronic illness, or may be in recovery at a deeply discounted rate. It shouldn't cost a fortune to want to live a long, healthy life while making an impact in our community."
At Fond and Faye, I worked with Shanece LaFaye Davis. Her kindness and nurturing spirit carried me through many moments when I felt like I was unraveling. The therapies there — lymphatic massage, sauna, red light, IV vitamin therapy and yes, the infamous shaker machine — gave me both physical healing and laughter. I used to try to read or hold conversations while bouncing around on it like I was on a roller coaster. That humor reminded me that even in the middle of something so serious, joy still finds a way in.
Shanece LaFaye Davis, Founder, Fond & Faye Medical & Wellness Spa explained more about how their services helped Jessi.
"At Fond & Faye, it was a privilege to support Jessi through her breast cancer journey. After her lymph node removal in the right axilla, specialized care was essential. We focused on lymphatic massage of the axillary and abdominal regions before, during, and after her radiation treatments to help reduce the risk of lymphedema, support drainage, and promote overall healing. We incorporated vitamin therapy, oxygen therapy, red light therapy, and sauna sessions to assist with cellular repair and recovery.
Yet, what mattered most was creating a space for compassion, love, and expression. Jessi's courage and grace reminded us that healing is more than physical; it is also deeply emotional and spiritual. We should never underestimate the power of love and support in times of hardship, because it truly goes a long way.
In honor of Jessi, during October, Fond & Faye, will donate 10% of our profits to an organization that supports women with breast cancer. We will also offer lymphatic massage at 50% off for clients currently navigating cancer to extend healing and hope to others on this path."
TIR: Did you feel supported by the broader community?
JD: Absolutely. Rutherford stepped up for me in ways I’ll never forget. Friends called, sent meals, and flooded me with messages. At times, the warmth and compassion were overwhelming — in the most beautiful way. There was an anchor moment where I realized: I’m not just here in this town, I’m here for a reason. This community held me up when I couldn’t hold myself.
TIR: How did you balance working at The Agency Rutherford as a Realtor?
JD: I continued working throughout my treatments because real estate has always given me a sense of purpose. In many ways, it became a welcome respite from doctors’ appointments and treatments — a space where I could feel like myself again. Staying connected to my clients gave me normalcy and grounded me. At times, I chose not to share my diagnosis with certain clients, not because I wanted to hide it, but because I knew they were carrying their own burdens. I didn’t want to add to their load. Showing up for others gave me strength — and helping families move forward was, in turn, what helped me keep moving forward. My coworkers were also incredibly supportive, always there with a hug or a kind word of encouragement, which meant the world to me during that time
TIR: Did you ever struggle with survivor’s guilt?
JD: Yes. My cancer was caught early, and I was incredibly fortunate. But being around others who were facing far more severe cases gave me a deep sense of survivor’s guilt. It reminded me that any cancer diagnosis — no matter the stage — is a difficult pill to swallow. Everyone’s journey is valid, and we need to be sensitive to that.
TIR: How did this experience inspire you to give back?
JD: I joined my good friends Dan and Kristin Meredith’s Relay for Life team and helped raise funds for cancer research and support. Turning my own battle into action for others gave me purpose. Survivorship, for me, isn’t just about healing yourself — it’s about lifting others, too.
Before last year's Relay for Life Event, Dan Meredith announced on social media, "We want to celebrate and recognize a very special teammate. A cancer survivor, a mom, a wife, a sister, a friend to many, and a very close family friend to us. Jessica Zenquis Davidson... We are so proud of you and inspired by your strength, courage, and positivity as you faced one of the scariest times of your life. YOU ARE A SURVIVOR, and you BEAT CANCER, with a SMILE. We are not just proud of you, but we are proud to have you as a friend and a team leader."
TIR: What message do you want to leave readers with during Breast Cancer Awareness Month?
JD: My father passed away from cancer at just 57. I’ll be turning 54, and watching him decline left a hole that will never be filled. But it also gave me the determination to fight for my health. His story is why I stayed committed to screenings — and why I believe early detection saved my life.
If there’s one takeaway, it’s this: please, get screened. Don’t wait, don’t put it off. Your life, and the lives of the people who love you, are worth it.
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