Paige Suisted, a 27-year-old from New Zealand, defied the odds after being diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Initially given just 18 months to live due to a large tumor, Paige’s latest medical scans showed no evidence of the disease, leaving her doctors in disbelief.
In April 2024, Paige’s life took a drastic turn when she began experiencing numbness in her fingers, which quickly progressed to her arm and leg. After consulting multiple doctors who offered various diagnoses, she insisted on further testing. This ultimately led to a brain biopsy that confirmed she had stage-four astrocytoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer typically found in children.
October 11, 2024, marked a pivotal moment for Paige when she received her terminal diagnosis. “When they told me, I think I screamed and cried,” she recalled. The weight of the news was immense, especially as she thought about her younger siblings and her hopes of becoming a mother.
Doctors recommended immediate treatment, and Paige underwent a year of intense chemotherapy and radiation. The side effects were severe, leaving her with significant physical disabilities and requiring leg and arm casts. Despite these challenges, she remained determined to fight the disease.
After 13 months of treatment, Paige returned for a scan, expecting to hear more bad news. Instead, she was met with astonishment; the previously visible tumor had completely vanished. “In my last few scans, there’s been nothing there,” she said, recalling the moment her doctors expressed their disbelief.
Despite the encouraging news, medical professionals have yet to declare Paige cancer-free. The only way to confirm her status would involve a risky biopsy that could potentially leave her paralyzed. “They say, why would we cut your skull open when we can see nothing as it is?” Paige explained. This uncertainty has left her and her family in a challenging position, feeling both grateful and confused.
Paige’s journey has transformed her from a typical young woman into what she describes as a “medical anomaly.” Though she continues to experience right-side weakness, she is slowly regaining her strength. Recently, she has taken on the role of ambassador for the Cancer Society, sharing her story to inspire others facing similar battles.
Living in a new reality, Paige finds joy in daily activities. She has become more physically active, attending physiotherapy and the gym regularly. Recently, she celebrated her 27th birthday atop the Eiffel Tower, a significant milestone she once thought impossible.
“I just live my life every day now, and I want to help other people,” Paige shared. While the question of whether her cancer is truly gone remains unanswered, her remarkable story continues to inspire those around her.
