Mental Illness Happy Hour #777 I.C.E. & The Latino Community - Jesse Perez Returns
Dec 5, 2025
Jesse Perez, a resilient Latino cancer survivor and host of the Equanimity podcast, shares his journey through illness and recovery. He candidly discusses the trauma of his cancer diagnosis and the grueling chemotherapy experience while emphasizing newfound inner peace. Jesse tackles significant issues affecting the Latino community, reflecting on immigration struggles and political challenges. His insights into personal healing and the importance of dialogue amidst adversity make for a heartfelt and thought-provoking conversation.
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Cancer Diagnosis And Treatment Journey
- Jesse describes being bedridden, diagnosed with stage 3 Hodgkin's lymphoma and hepatitis C after delayed hospital care.
- He recounts chemo, blood transfusions, and near-death weight loss before recovery at Harbor UCLA.
Chemotherapy Human-Error Scare
- Jesse recounts a chemo session where nurses forgot to add saline, causing his arm and body to burn.
- He describes the terrifying physical pain and the human errors during treatment that still saved his life.
Adversity Opens A Space For Acceptance
- Jesse says cancer brought him an unprecedented level of acceptance and inner peace during treatment.
- He credits recovery, faith, and gratitude for his calm approach to facing mortality.
