A New York woman, Jess Potter, always made sure to carry a carbon monoxide detector during her travels. She did this out of concern for her health without realizing she was facing another unseen health issue.
Health concerns are prominent among many Americans today. A survey by the American Psychiatric Association involving over 2,200 U.S. adults indicated that 55 percent felt anxious about their health in 2026.
For a long time, Potter, from Rochester, dealt with health anxiety. This anxiety led her to the practice of bringing a carbon monoxide detector while staying in hotels. She explained, “Honestly, I just saw a lot of articles in the last few years about people dying in hotels from carbon monoxide, so I always bring mine. I just have health anxiety and felt it was a silly thing to overlook.”
Initially, Potter’s health worries were rooted in anxiety. This changed dramatically late last year. By October 2025, she was experiencing recurring illnesses over approximately three months. Potter initially assumed she had bronchitis or a winter flu.
As her symptoms persisted, she sought medical advice. The situation escalated unexpectedly. “I had an enlarged lymph node in my neck and bronchitis. After several biopsies, they determined it was Hodgkin’s lymphoma,” Potter recounted.
This diagnosis transformed her health anxiety into a reality. Potter found this development challenging to process, stating, “It kind of seemed like everything I always worried about finally happened. I started chemotherapy immediately, and since then it has been resolving.”
Potter has since made notable progress in her recovery. As she continues on this path, she reflects on the irony of carrying a carbon monoxide detector while unaware of her cancer. “I have always been super cautious about anything health-related, and it was just ironic that I didn’t know I had cancer back in October while trying to do all the right things to avoid ever getting a diagnosis like that,” she said.
“I hope my story inspires others to be vigilant about their health and any symptoms they notice,”
Potter encourages everyone to seek medical advice if they notice any concerning symptoms, emphasizing, “I was always cautious and still had underlying cancer. So I hope it inspires others to listen to their body and take care of it.”