JAMIE PURSLEY

A PINK WARRIOR Q&A

Some Background: Jamie Pursley is a Mooresville native and former gymnastics coach and elementary school teacher. She attended Mooresville Senior High School and married her high school sweetheart. They have two children: Liam (7) and Ayla Snow (3) and two babies in heaven. In December 2011, at four months pregnant with their first child, Jamie’s uterus ruptured; she had an extremely rare birth anomaly, and she was rushed to the emergency room where she nearly lost her life. Jamie was given four blood transfusions and was revived twice. They lost their first son that day as well as Jamie’s ability to carry another child.

“At 26,” Jamie recounts, “I learned I would never carry or birth my own children. We learned from this tragedy, however, and we picked up the pieces, moved forward, and successfully implanted two embryos in a surrogate (my cousin). We learned a few weeks later that one of our twins had no heartbeat. We were again devastated at our loss … but in April of 2013, our healthy baby boy, Liam, was born. I had no idea how these battles were preparing me to fight yet again in the years ahead; but despite the trauma, struggles, trials, and losses, I am so grateful for the strength I gained and the lessons I learned which shaped me into the woman I am today.”

WHEN WERE YOU DIAGNOSED?

The week of my 34th birthday in January 2019. I had a very strong feeling that something wasn’t right with my body for a few months before I found the lump. Nothing can prepare you to hear those words. Everything was in slow motion in that moment. I was numb, scared, and angry all at the same time. When my biopsy results came back positive, I was referred to a breast oncologist surgeon who would go over my treatment options with me. She was incredible and I felt so supported and heard. She explained the three treatment options for my diagnosis, one of which was a double mastectomy. Walking into her office that day, I had already made my mind up … I wanted a double mastectomy.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO

TELL OTHER WOMEN? My oncologist and plastic surgeon both said that this is one of the earliest detected cases that they have experienced so please do self-exams monthly! I have always had dense and fibrous breast tissue so I was made aware at an early age of the importance of checking regularly. When I found the lump, I knew it felt different than my cystic tissue normally does. So listen to your instincts, your inner voice, your intuition. If your gut says to have something checked, do it! If what your medical professional tells you doesn’t feel right, go for a second opinion.

WHAT CONTINUES TO

CHALLENGE YOU? My greatest challenge in life has been fighting clinically-diagnosed depression, anxiety, and PTSD stemming from my near-death experience and loss of our first son and Liam’s twin. It has been very much a rollercoaster ride. I’ve been happy and grateful during some very scary times and I’ve been inexplicably depressed and scared during what should have been, or seemed to be, happy and easy times. Thankfully, I’ve always had incredible doctors and a wonderful support system (including my incredible husband!) to help me through all the ups and downs, which is critical for successful treatment of any ailment … mind or body.

WHAT INSIGHTS CAN YOU

SHARE WITH OUR READERS?

Life is beautiful, but not always easy. Seek out what makes your heart happy and cling to those things. Know that no matter what you’re going through, there is someone out there who will listen to you and care. I have been through many traumas and challenges in my life … all before I turned 35, and I truly believe that God gave me the voice and ability to speak out to tell others that there is always hope … have faith and never, ever give up! w