MY LIFE Matters - Advocacy in Action - 8

The Power of Advocacy ADVOCACY IN ACTION
Advocacy
AN IMPORTANT PART OF MY SURVIVORSHIP
SHEILA JOHNSON, MBC THRIVER, TIGERLILY ANGEL ADVOCATE
I
had a whole career before cancer. I
traveled around the world to many
different countries and enjoyed my
life in the military for 25 years. My
daughter Janaia enjoyed traveling, and
I always wanted her to experience different
cultures. My military career came to
a complete halt December 2, 2009. I was
diagnosed de novo with HER2+ metastatic
breast cancer (MBC). What does de novo
mean? I was instantly diagnosed stage IV. I
was never an early stager, meaning stage I,
II, or III. On December 2, 2009, I was diagnosed
with MBC also known as stage IV
cancer at the age of 43 years old. I was activeduty
military, a Senior Master Sergeant
in the United States Air Force loving my
career, and then I get hit with a diagnosis of
MBC. I started getting my mammograms
at the age of 36 because my Mom died of
MBC in 2004. I performed my regular selfbreast
exams, but I had dense breasts, which
added to the equation. Dense breasts are
common in Black women and in military
women. Twenty to 40 percent of military
women receive a breast cancer diagnosis.
I always say a sneeze saved my life, because
a sneeze and the burning sensation
I felt caused me to go to the doctor where
I found out I had stage IV breast cancer.
Once I was diagnosed within a year, I
had to retire and start a new life fighting
cancer. Being stage IV, there was really no
need for the Air Force to keep me on as I
couldn't do anything physically being on
constant chemo. I was medically retired,
and it was the best thing for me. I truly
missed the military when I retired, but I
knew I had to start my new normal. The
military still takes care of me, and I deserve
that, but I was so glad to have retired
without worrying about how my medical
bills would get paid.
I was diagnosed with HER2+ ER+ (estrogen
receptor) breast cancer, but my
ER status has changed to negative more
recently. I had a mastectomy of my right
breast and a breast reduction on my left.
My ovaries were removed immediately
because of my ER status. I've also had a
breast reconstruction on my right breast
called the DIEP Flap. A DIEP Flap is where
they took my stomach muscles and skin
and built me a breast. My plastic surgeon
also built me a nipple and tattooed my
areola. I did try the expanders, but my
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MY LIFE MATTERS
ADVOCACY IN ACTION | FALL 2023
MY LIFE Matters - Advocacy in Action

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