Jeffery Smith: My life with ME and Stage 4 Cancer

Content Warning: Discussion includes end of life care and Medical Assistance In Dying. Jeffery Smith shares his experience living with ME and cancer. He discusses the challenges he faced as a queer individual growing up in a small town and the impact of societal stigma on his self-perception. Jeffery talks about his journey with ME, starting with a bout of Mono (Glandular Fever) that eventually led to a diagnosis of ME. He describes the daily struggles and limitations he faces due to the illness. Jeffery also opens up about his experience with cancer, including the delayed diagnosis and the subsequent metastasis. He shares his journey with immunotherapy and the unexpected improvement in his ME symptoms during his cancer treatment. In this conversation, Jeffery discusses his current health challenges, including stage four cancer, ME, and the recent development of hepatitis, pancreatitis, and diabetes. He shares his fears of the cancer spreading to his brain and his decision to pursue medically assisted dying. Jeffery reflects on his life and the things he is proud of, including his advocacy work for ME and the grant he helped secure for ME research in Canada. He also discusses the importance of letting go and finding peace amidst grief and the support he has received from loved ones and the ME community. www.pempod.com pempodcast23@gmail.com