Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharon Jones.
Hi Sharon, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
My breast cancer journey began, though I was not aware of it at the time, in April 2018 at a conference in Galveston, TX. The morning after the end of a CLE conference, I was sitting in the lobby waiting for a few of the ladies from our association to come down for breakfast and our debriefing meeting. As I sat waiting, I heard a clear distinct voice, as though someone was sitting right next to me, say “Quit your job when you go into work on Monday.” I recall looking around to see if someone was there, then saying to myself, wait WHAT?! As I sat in my quiet thoughts, I asked, Lord, is that you? Are you telling me to quit my good job…my good job, Lord? When the first lady came down to the lobby, I shared with her what I had just experienced, and said if this is the Lord speaking to me, I have to go in on Monday and quit my job. On my drive home, I called my husband and shared with him my experience in the lobby. Upon my arrival at home that Sunday evening, I went straight to the computer, typed my resignation with the intention of resigning Monday morning. When I got into the office, I spoke with the managing shareholder. After our conversation, I turned in my 30-day notice but never had to turn in the resignation letter that I had in hand. I have since learned this would be what is called crazy obedience and crazy faith. My last day at work was on a Thursday. That following Friday morning, May 19, 2018, I woke up to all these thoughts of a pamper-me day…a woosah moment while having a nice cup of coffee, take myself to breakfast, catch a movie, and perhaps get a massage…oh, by the way, let me do a self-breast exam. It was that very morning that I felt a lump in my right breast. I called my primary care doctor, went in for an appointment, and they conferred that something was there. Everything moved pretty quickly from there with needle biopsies, sonograms, mammogram, appointments with a breast specialist, oncologist, and radiation doctors; and, then right into treatment. All becoming quite a bit overwhelming.
The official diagnoses that it was indeed breast cancer was, June 5, 2018 (2-days after my birthday), with invasive ductal carcinoma (mass measuring 2.6 x 2.5 x 1.4 cm), triple positive Her-2 breast cancer, stage 1b-2a, an aggressive form of breast cancer. Today, I’m looking forward to celebrating my upcoming 5th year from the date of the initial diagnosis.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
During the intense times of treatments, I didn’t consider it as a smooth road; I didn’t think or couldn’t see that it would get better. Chemo and radiation took my body through some drastic changes. During chemo, some of my struggles, of course, first was dealing with the loss of my hair; then not being able to taste or eat anything to the point that I had intense hunger pains that had me in tears. I struggled with low blood cell counts causing me to be sent to ER on 4 different occasions, one trip actually having to be admitted. The result of low blood cell counts caused obstacles in receiving chemo treatments which in turn prolonged the completion of treatment. I was unable to receive treatment on those days; therefore. pushing the start of radiation and the surgery dates back. Treatment was definitely a struggle, and yes, there were obstacles, but pushed through and finally completed chemo/radiation treatments. Even after treatments, there are still struggles with intense pain, on and off some days, and the effects and pain of neuropathy.
This pass October, I found myself in a challenge to celebrate my survivorship after losing my young niece to metastatic breast cancer and, 7-months prior to that, losing my sister who was a 2-time breast cancer fighter/survivor and a 2-time kidney transplant recipient. So, I struggled with my purpose and finding my voice in the fight against breast cancer.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I have been in the legal profession for years. I love and enjoy working in legal. I have had the opportunity to work for some prestigious law firms in Texas (Dallas & Houston); Las Vegas, Nevada; Asheville, North Carolina; and Miami, Florida. Currently, I work as a Legal Assistant in the areas of Labor & Employment, Insurance/Construction, and Business Commercial & Litigation for a Texas-based law firm located in the Galleria area.
I would say I believe I am best known for being dedicated and compassionate about my work and my career.
I am most proud of obtaining associate degrees in both Paralegal Studies and Mid-Management, along with taking and passing the national paralegal exam to become a Certified Paralegal (CP). I say most proud of these two because I was late in the game of attending college. I was a teenage pregnant mom that got married at the age of 18. So, to be encouraged, back in the day, by my husband to attend and actually accomplishing completing community college was a huge deal for me. At that time, I did not see college as an option for me; my adult life was already well underway. Passing the national certification exam was the sweet icing on the cake!
What sets me apart from others is my drive and motivation to continue to grow and expand my knowledge in life and in the legal arena. I strive to put in the work to further my education, knowledge, and service in the legal community. Along with my CP, I also obtained an Advanced CP in Civil Trials. I love to give back and serve in my community as well as the paralegal field. I was a member and held offices in the J.L. Turner Legal Association Paralegal Division and the Houston Paralegal Association. Currently, I serve as the Affiliated Associations Secretary for NALA (National Association of Legal Assistants). I am also a member of the State Bar of Texas Paralegal Division.
My community service is extensive, and I continue to serve/volunteer for several nonprofit organizations, as well as currently serve as Recording Secretary of my breast cancer support organization, Angels Surviving Cancer, Inc. And, further advancing my knowledge of breast cancer by being a participant in the Susan G. Komen Center for Public Policy (Speak Truth to Power: Stand Up, Speak Up) and taking the training and becoming a Susan G. Komen Health Initiative Stand for H.E.R. Patient Navigator Graduate. All of which can be instrumental and valuable in educating and advocating in the fight against breast cancer.
How do you define success?
Accomplishing and reaching goals that I have set for me. And definitely being a breast cancer survivor is one such success I did not plan nor had designated as a goal for me!
– 2021 Keep A Breast Give Back Grant Recipient
– 2021 Dallas Cowboys’ Star Survivor, honored on the field during Breast Cancer Awareness Month at Cowboys’ October 3rd game
Contact Info:
- Facebook: Sharon’s Fight
- Linkedin: Sharon D. Jones, ACP
- Email: jones6363@yahoo.com
Image Credits
Toya Logan
