Saprina Jones and her husband, Calumet City Mayor Thaddeus Jones (Photo Provided).
Saprina Jones, First Lady of Calumet City and wife of Mayor Thaddeus Jones, recently was devastated by her recent diagnosis of breast cancer and has now launched an information campaign to prepare, educate and support the countless women who will endure this diagnosis in the future.
“It is extremely important that I chart my own journey and create a playbook of sorts for the countless women who will be faced with this challenged. Nobody should endure this alone. I want to be there for every woman I can possibly encounter,“ says Saprina Jones
Recently, Sabrina Jones traveled to her doctor for a follow-up for an annual mammogram. That mammogram resulted in the needed for additional and an ultrasound of tissue in her breast. As she waited in a pink robe for the technician to return with her results, she paced and prayed to God that it was just dense tissue and not a cancerous mass. Those results led to the need for a biopsy of the tissue. The biopsy was performed shortly thereafter.
During her weekly visit to her hair salon, she received a call to come in and discuss her results. However, Saprina demanded that the results be shared with her during the same phone call. It was then confirmed that she had breast cancer. Saprina attempted to keep her composure but immediately collapsed in the salon chair. Her first thought was how to tell her 13-year-old son without frightening him. She then thought about her loving and most supportive husband, Mayor Jones, who had recently lost his mom and two best friends.
That day, Saprina’s hair stylist was forced to take her home, given her devastation from the biopsy results. Upon arriving home, she discussed the results with Mayor Jones. He immediately consoled her and assured her that she was not alone on this journey. He pledged his full and unwavering support to her. Saprina felt that she would reveal her diagnosis to two people per day who she deemed extremely close to her and her family.
What Saprina discovered by talking about her diagnosis was that she had developed an amazing support system. Her friends and family have been here every step of the way. Her husband and a close friend accompanied her to the doctor following the diagnosis. They held her hands as the doctor explained the stage and type of breast cancer she would battle. Saprina immediately started researching and googling survival rates, what could have caused it and other issues that crossed her mind. What was even more odd to Saprina was that there was no history of breast cancer in her family. She even took a genetic test for cancer, and it revealed the same.
Saprina has felt blessed to have several great friends in her life who have won this battle and were able to comfort her and share their experiences, knowledge, and wisdom.
As Saprina began to look for a surgeon, Mayor Jones requested her to consider the cancer division at Northwestern Hospital. Saprina agreed. With this process came additional mammograms and MRI procedures. This delayed the scheduling as she had to wait for bigger machines to become available. While Saprina was blessed to never be alone in her medical visits, she could not help but notice the women going through this process alone. Sabrina just continued to thank God for the fantastic people in her life while praying for those who may not have been blessed with the support she had.
After her MRI procedure at Northwestern, Saprina was told she needed another biopsy on the same breast. Thankfully, the results were negative as doctors were then able devout their attention to the original cancerous tissue. Her consultation with the surgeon was scary, informative, and reassuring at the same time. But today, Saprina describes her surgeon as amazing and her team as outstanding, thoughtful and caring; Saprina views Northwestern as the best in class.
The doctors explained everything in detail, referring to images and diagrams of the procedure. Saprina’s lumpectomy was performed on Jan. 7. Mayor Jones was right by her side as she entered the surgery room and upon her entering the recovery room. Saprina, on countless occasions following the procedure, has publicly expressed how she and Mayor Jones have handled their collective journey as they now have entered the recovery and healing stage of this battle.
“We are all so grateful that First Lady Jones is on the road to recovery and is so willing to assist other women who will ensure this challenge. She embodies the true spirit of womanhood. We are all in this together.” said Cook County Commissioner Monica Gordon
Ald. Stephanie Coleman added, “Saprina clearly understands the significant meaning of coalescing support for women from all walks of life. She has taught us all how social support can also be a practical help as well as the benefit of family and friends. I applaud Saprina for her courage and heart for others.”
”Illinois State Representative Debbie Meyers-Martin concludes,” Saprina Jones is a hero in the eyes of so many women who are facing breast cancer. To publicly tell her story while creating a wedge of support is simply remarkable.“
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