At just 27 years old, Paige Suisted faced a devastating diagnosis: terminal brain cancer. Doctors informed her that she had a tumour the size of a golf ball and only 18 months to live. This grim news turned her life upside down, yet a year later, her situation has taken an extraordinary turn that has left medical professionals in disbelief.
Diagnosed with stage-four astrocytoma, a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer typically found in children, Paige’s journey began in April 2024. After experiencing numbness in her right hand that gradually spread up her arm and down her leg, she sought help from multiple doctors, but her symptoms were dismissed. It was not until she insisted on being admitted to a hospital that she received a proper diagnosis following a series of tests, including CT scans and a brain biopsy.
The biopsy confirmed the presence of a stage-four tumour pressing on nerves that controlled her bodily functions. Doctors deemed surgery too dangerous, citing a 50% chance of severe paralysis. Faced with this grim prognosis, Paige began a rigorous treatment regimen of chemotherapy and radiation.
“The terminal diagnosis broke a lot of us down. I thought I was going to die and there’s nothing anyone can do,” Paige reflected. She began treatment almost immediately, enduring daily radiation sessions and powerful chemotherapy that severely impacted her mobility and overall health.
After enduring a year of treatment, Paige returned to the hospital for a routine appointment in November 2025, expecting further bad news. Instead, doctors were stunned to find that her scans showed no trace of the tumour that had once dominated her brain.
A Remarkable Recovery, Yet Uncertainty Remains
Despite the remarkable disappearance of the tumour, doctors have not declared Paige cancer-free. They caution that microscopic cancer cells could still exist in her brain, undetectable by current imaging technology. To confirm her status definitively, doctors would need to perform a risky biopsy, which could result in paralysis.
“They say, why would we cut your skull open when we can see nothing as it is?” Paige noted, highlighting the paradox of her situation. While she is grateful for the absence of the tumour, she remains in medical limbo without an official remission status.
Throughout her treatment, Paige has faced numerous challenges, including severe side effects like bruising, seizures, and physical disabilities. Despite these hurdles, she has shown remarkable resilience, determined to regain her independence. She continues to attend physiotherapy and is committed to rebuilding her strength.
Recently, Paige has embraced a role as an ambassador for the Cancer Society and is actively sharing her story to inspire others. She is also developing a YouTube channel aimed at providing support for young cancer patients who often feel overlooked in their journeys.
Celebrating Life and Inspiring Others
Paige’s determination to celebrate life was evident when she recently marked her 27th birthday atop the Eiffel Tower, a moment she once thought impossible. She lives each day with a sense of purpose, focusing on her recovery and helping others facing similar struggles.
“I just live my life every day now, and I want to help other people,” she stated, embodying hope and resilience. As she continues her recovery journey, Paige Suisted stands as a testament to the unpredictability of life and the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
