Until Further Notice, Celebrate Everything
Undergoing a mammogram is as routine as it is nerve-wracking. While the screening is an annual process, waiting for the results can induce a lot of anxiety. Keeshia Jones knows that anxiety well. And she knows the emotions that come along with receiving the results no one ever wants.
In the summer of 2018, Keeshia was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer, found in a routine mammogram. She was 46. Because they’d caught it early, her prognosis was good. After a lumpectomy, reconstruction, and radiation, she went into remission.
“I felt really blessed that my breast cancer experience went smoothly,” she said. “I had a little guilt that mine did go so well.”
Because of her experience, Keeshia felt a pull to help others walking a similar path. Her first event was at a local library where she invited survivors to share their stories. She then started a local support group called Sisters Network, targeting African American women with breast cancer, which is an affiliate chapter of Sisters Network, Inc., a national breast cancer survivorship organization. She also began volunteering with the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network.
She was immersing herself in all things related to women’s health and breast cancer awareness. That’s when she found ABCD (After Breast Cancer Diagnosis), an organization focused on providing free, one-to-one emotional support to anyone impacted by the disease. She became a mentor, meeting many phenomenal women and survivors.
And then, in January 2023, ABCD had an open position on their staff. Keeshia jumped at the opportunity to pivot her career path towards her passion of helping others and became the Director of Health Care and Community Partnerships for the organization.
It was right around that time she started feeling severe pain in her right shoulder.
“I immediately went back to my oncologist,” Keeshia said. “I skipped my primary physician because I felt like this was related to my breast cancer, even though I had been in remission for 4 and a half years.”
Testing revealed the cancer was back, and this time it had spread. Keeshia received a diagnosis of stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, a devastating blow. This was much more serious than her first diagnosis and impacted her life more greatly.
“I had taken little things for granted,” she said. “Little things you don’t even think about, like driving the car and shifting gears, or even just washing and combing my hair.”
Because of her severe shoulder pain, she relied on her husband to do everything from helping her get dressed, preparing meals, doing the dishes and cleaning the house. With a smile, Keeshia said there was a little silver lining in it. “For chores, I was like, okay, I can get a break from some of these things. I can’t carry this load of clothes, I can’t wash the dishes.”
As an independent woman, she became dependent on her husband overnight, who also became her primary family caregiver.
Radiation helped alleviate the pain, and since her stage 4 diagnosis, Keeshia has had only one progression and currently remains stable. She continues her important work with Sisters Network, ACS-CAN and ABCD and is partnering with CaringBridge to make more women aware of the health platform available to them to help make their journey a little easier.
“You need a little time to digest what’s happening to you before you can try and explain it,” Keeshia said, emphasizing how CaringBridge helps create that boundary and safe space to process. “Now with metastatic breast cancer, people definitely don’t understand that it’s hard, because I look fine. I’m going places. I’m working. I’ve had people tell me that I don’t look like I have cancer. Well, what is that supposed to look like? If I’m not in the hospital, are you not checking on me?”
Keeshia recognizes the importance of a resource like CaringBridge that allows her and the women she mentors to have a dedicated space in which to communicate what’s happening while coordinating the support they need.
“If a friend or family member isn’t reaching out to you, it doesn’t mean they don’t need you. They’re just trying to figure it out. CaringBridge can be a great tool to help them understand what you are going through."
Whether it’s the emotional support received through comments and well wishes, or it’s the functional support like coordinating rides to and from treatment, meals, or financial assistance, CaringBridge is the one place to receive and organize that support.
“You can share CaringBridge with those you choose,” said Keeshia. “It doesn’t have to be public. It’s helpful for people to be able to share where they’re at, a gentler way of updating your community.”
Keeshia remains on both her personal and professional journey with breast cancer. She balances it all by doing regular emotional check-ins and giving herself grace to opt out when she needs a little self-care.
“I can’t save the world, but I know what I’m doing is enough. Sometimes I just need to binge watch something on TV or go have ice cream with my family. Or I just need to go for a ride; it doesn’t matter where. You need to make time for yourself. And tell yourself that it’s okay to not be okay.”
Still, she persists. While she recognizes that everyone’s journey is different, her desire to advocate for and be an inspiration to those with stage 4 breast cancer keeps her going. She stresses the importance of listening to your body and speaking up for yourself when you have questions or feel like something isn’t right.
“I’m passionate about the work I do and the difference I can make,” she said. “I get to hear stories, and I think it’s so important for people, especially African American women, to advocate for themselves, to be aware of their bodies, and to speak up. If you show up for an appointment and maybe you aren’t understanding what someone said, don’t be afraid to ask the doctor or nurse to repeat, or slow down.”
A shining beacon for those on a similar journey, Keeshia makes sure to celebrate all things, big and small.
“I don’t have an expiration date, and I really believe in the research and clinical trials that are allowing people with breast cancer to live longer,” Keeshia said. “My mantra is, until further notice, celebrate everything. Be intentional about my time and find joy in the journey.”
That intentionality to embrace the present moment and focus on what truly matters has touched many lives. Keeshia continues to transform fear into purpose, helping people live fully and meaningfully, regardless of what the future may hold.