At the end of a busy semester, the last thing 24-year-old social work student Jacob Lerma expected was a cancer diagnosis. However, after experiencing fatigue, dizziness, and other symptoms, he went to a doctor, and in January of this year, he was diagnosed with stage IV Hodgkin lymphoma.
He was told he had only three to six months to live, but with the encouragement of his family, Jacob began treatment at Texas Oncology in El Paso. There, he forged an unexpected bond with Roby Quintela, BSN, RN, a nurse who, ten years prior at the age of 24, was diagnosed with the same cancer and also underwent treatment at Texas Oncology.
During Jacob’s treatment, he and Roby became “like brothers,” and Roby was right beside Jacob when he beats the odds and rang the bell seven months after starting treatment. He even gifted Jacob a new pair of Nike Terminators, having bonded with him over their mutual love of shoes.
Now, as Jacob looks forward to his future, he’s excited to finish his degree, travel, and live his life to the fullest with a new friend by his side.