Jaxson’s Story: Strength, Survival and the Great Outdoors

At 23, Jaxson Dillard was living life to the fullest in the small town of Gurdon, Arkansas. Surrounded by the woods, rivers and wildlife, Jaxson spent his days hunting, managing nuisance animals and working outdoors. “I eat, sleep, hunt. That’s me,” Jaxson said, summing up his passion for the outdoors. A self-proclaimed “country boy,” he was happiest with a bow in his hand, tracking deer or setting traps for beavers and wild pigs, which he describes as a big problem in his community. His life was energetic and active — until March 2024, when everything changed.

It all began with a sudden, sharp pain shooting up Jaxson’s back one night after work. Initially, he thought it was a muscle strain or an injury from his physically demanding job. But when the pain worsened, Jaxson ended up in the ER, where he received pain relief and was sent home with no clear diagnosis. The next day, he felt fine, but as if on cue, the same pain returned the following evening. “It got so bad that my parents had to pull over so I could throw up from the pain,” Jaxson recalled. This cycle continued for days, with multiple trips to the hospital. Doctors initially suspected a muscle issue and sent him home with exercises, but the pain was unrelenting. It wasn’t until his fourth ER visit, when his mother insisted on blood work, that the doctors started looking deeper.

After a series of tests, the medical team suspected Jaxson of having a spinal abscess and rushed him to the local hospital in Hot Springs for further investigation. There, doctors ran additional tests, including an MRI, and considered tick fever as a possible cause. Finally, on March 15, 2024, Jaxson received a life-altering diagnosis: B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL).

“I remember when Dr. Divers came in to deliver the news,” Jaxson said. “I could tell something was up just by the look on his face.” It was there that he learned more about his diagnosis and treatment options. For most, this would be a devastating blow, but Jaxson, ever the optimist, took it in stride. “When he told me I had two months to live without treatment, I just asked if we could get rid of it. He said yes, and I was ready to fight.”

Dr. Stephen “Fred” Divers is a Board-certified medical oncologist dedicated to providing compassionate care for patients with various cancers and blood disorders. With extensive experience in his field, Dr. Divers serves the Hot Springs community and surrounding areas, offering comprehensive treatment options and personalized support. He practices at Genesis Cancer and Blood Institute, a long-standing partner of the American Oncology Network and trusted oncology provider in Garland County for over three decades.

Jaxson’s positive outlook was rooted in his deep faith. “I’m a big Christian,” he shared. “I felt like God was telling me something like I had a choice to either take this journey and learn from it or not. I chose to listen and let God guide me.”

With his diagnosis confirmed, Jaxson’s life shifted dramatically. He was transferred to the medical center, where he began a rigorous treatment plan supervised by Dr. Divers. The first stage involved 40 consecutive days in the hospital, a challenging and isolating experience for someone as active as Jaxson. “Being stuck in a hospital bed was probably the hardest part,” Jaxson admitted. “I’ve never been the type to sit still, and there I was, confined to four walls for over a month.”

Despite the physical toll of the treatments, which included numerous spinal taps and multiple rounds of chemotherapy, Jaxson found ways to keep his spirits up. His work in nuisance animal control became a surprising lifeline. “I was trapping pigs from my hospital bed,” he laughed. With his phone linked to his traps, Jaxson monitored the animals remotely, keeping himself occupied by managing his traps through the night while nurses checked in on him. “The nurses would come in and ask what I was doing, and I’d tell them, ‘Just watching these pigs, waiting to drop the gate!’”

“His treatment course lasts two years and includes chemotherapy administered in the spinal fluid,” Dr. Divers reported. “Jaxson achieved a complete response to the treatment and is currently doing well. This disease is rapidly fatal if untreated, but I am happy to share that he can be cured with aggressive, prolonged therapy.”

Through it all, Jaxson remained focused on his recovery, but it wasn’t without moments of doubt. “About 20 days into the hospital stay, it all started sinking in,” Jaxson said. He battled feelings of depression, as the reality of his diagnosis and the prolonged isolation began to weigh on him. “I just wanted to be outside, breathing fresh air, doing what I love. But I knew I had to get through it.” His faith and family were the anchors that kept him grounded during those tough times.

Jaxson’s support system was unwavering. His family was by his side every step of the way. “I never spent a night alone in the hospital,” he said. “If I was going through it, they were going through it too.” Their presence made all the difference during his most challenging moments, giving him the strength to keep pushing forward.

As Jaxson underwent treatment, the impact on his physical health became more apparent. Once strong and active, Jaxson found himself losing muscle mass and struggling with fatigue. Simple tasks, like walking short distances, became exhausting. “I’ve always been independent, but I had to start asking for help and that was tough for me,” he admitted. One of the hardest things for Jaxson was losing his ability to hunt with his bow, a hobby he had enjoyed since childhood. “I couldn’t even pull my bow back,” he said. “That really got to me. It was depressing not being able to do the things I loved.”

But Jaxson’s resilience never wavered. Slowly, he began to regain his strength. By the time deer season rolled around, he was back out in the woods, taking down his first deer of the season. “I wasn’t 100%, but I was getting there,” he said proudly.

By September 2024, Jaxson received the news he had been waiting for — he was in remission. His bone marrow showed no signs of cancer, a victory that felt hard-earned. “When they told me I wouldn’t need a stem cell transplant, I was so relieved. I didn’t want to spend another 100 days in the hospital,” Jaxson said, his relief palpable.

Now in remission, Jaxson continues to undergo maintenance treatments, which include oral chemotherapy and regular check-ups. But his journey has given him a new perspective on life. “I’ve learned so much about myself and what’s really important. This experience brought me closer to God, my family and my community,” he said. Jaxson now sees his battle with cancer not as a curse, but as a blessing in disguise — a chance to slow down, reflect and reconnect with what matters most.

Jaxson’s advice to others facing a cancer diagnosis is simple but powerful: “Keep your head up, put God first and stay hydrated. Cancer is as much a mental battle as a physical one. If you can stay positive, you’ll make it through.”

“Jaxson is the nicest young man,” Dr. Divers shared. “He was well enough to go deer hunting last weekend and even made a duck call that is engraved with ‘Thanks for a few more hunting seasons.’ His experience is a great story that reminds us why we do what we do as physicians.”

Today, Jaxson hopes to use his experience to help others. “If anyone needs someone to talk to, I’m here. I feel like maybe my role is to help others get through this,” he said. Always ready to offer encouragement and support, Jaxson’s story is one of resilience, faith and a refusal to let cancer define him.