Yolanda Jones

My name is Yolanda Jones. I am 41 years old. I live in Hamden, Connecticut with my husband Douglas Jones and two daughters, Paris and Tiatianna.

I went in for my first mammogram in 2007. I was only 36 at the time, but since my grandmother had been diagnosed with breast cancer, it was recommended that I not wait until I was 40 to have one done.  The results of this baselinescreening did not show any abnormalities.

Then one night in 2008, while I was taking a shower, I decided to do a breast self examination. That’s when Ifound what proved to be a lump, and my journey began.  The next morning I called my doctor for an appointment. She immediately scheduled me for another mammogram. I had the mammogram and was told that the lump was benign and that I should not worry because it was probably a clogged duct. However, that did not sit well with me, so I continued to monitor the lump.

A few months into 2009, I noticed that the lump was getting larger so I went back to the doctor who ran a lot of testsincluding another biopsy, an ultra sound and MRI. At this time I was told it could be many different things; but in my mind, I knew exactly what it was.

On September 24, I received a phone call around 8:30 p.m. from the doctor, who gave me the news that I indeed did have breast cancer. The doctor was worried that I was in shock about the news. But I told her, “NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST ME SHALL PROSPER” (Isaiah 54:17), and the God that I serve would not put more on me than I could handle.

I went into Dr. Horowitz’s office knowing the steps I was going to take and that I was going to beat this.  January 13, 2010 was my surgery date. Although breast cancer was only found on one side, I decided to have a bilateral mastectomy. Suspicious areas were seen on the other side; that coupled with my family history of breast cancer, I knew that I did not want to go through the anxiety of watching and waiting.  Chemotherapy started two months after my surgery.  It was a rough road. But by the Grace of God, my family and friends, I am still here!

 

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