Eboni’s Story

It was an October morning in 2017, and as far back as 32-yearold Eboni could recall, she had been in the habit of doing breast self-exams. Yet, this day was different. On this particular day, she felt a lump in her left breast.

“Of course, you know exactly what you’re checking for when you do a self-exam; but you don’t necessarily want to find it,” she says. So, Eboni decided to keep about her routine for the next few days—that is, until she got the nerve up to check it again. “Yep, the lump was still there. I guess I’d been in denial because I kept telling myself it was probably just a swollen lymph node,” she says.

God’s Work A few days later, Eboni and her sister were out and about in their hometown of McAlester, when something caught her eye. “As we drove by an area church, we noticed something unusual. The church was having a huge health fair that day and offering free health exams—tests ranging from blood pressure and thyroid checks, to breast exams,” Eboni says. “I’m a religious person and if that wasn’t God’s work to put us on that road and at that place that day, I don’t know what is!”

What followed is what she had suspected all along—and then some. “A doctor at the health fair examined me and found not one, but two lumps in my left breast. They recommended I follow up with a doctor as soon as possible. There was no denying it now; so, my next step was to make an appointment at Warren Clinic McAlester,” she says. After a mammogram, an ultrasound examination and finally a biopsy performed by radiologists and other doctors at the local Warren Clinic, Eboni headed home to await a call from the physician.

“Sooner than I expected, a Warren Clinic nurse navigator named Sharon called me at home to give me the results. She was so considerate and kind when she confirmed a breast cancer diagnosis. Even though I pretty much knew it, I was in shock to hear this news. Sharon was so patient and caring as she answered all of my immediate questions. Then she helped me set up my first appointment with Warren Clinic breast surgeon, Dr. Chad Johnson—and, speaking of ‘God’ moments, I believe this was another one,” she says.

“Something drew me in from the first moment I walked into the Saint Francis breast surgeons’ office in Tulsa. It felt so peaceful—I just knew it was where I was supposed to be. Dr. Johnson and the entire staff were so kind and accommodating to me and my family members who came with me on those first visits. Dr. Johnson had said, ‘Bring everyone you want to! We’ll be covering a lot of information—so the more ears, the better!’ I really appreciated that because we are talkers and, believe me, we asked a ton of questions,” Eboni says.

The Treatment Plan After Eboni’s diagnosis and biopsy in October 2017, a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scan and prognosis of treatment soon followed. Then, on December 15, 2017, her treatment began with her first round of chemotherapy— the first of what would be a total of 13 rounds altogether.

“Following the chemotherapy treatments, I finally had the opportunity to ring the bell on April 9, 2018. Then, on May 22, 2018, I received a double mastectomy with reconstructive surgery,” she says. “Today, I am happy to say I am doing very well and so grateful for all of the wonderful, compassionate care I received throughout every step of this journey.” Looking Back Today, as Eboni reflects on her overall experience, certain snapshots come to light—for instance, the day she grabbed some clippers and asked her husband, Kevin, to please shave off all of her hair. “It’s what I wanted to do since my hair was falling out anyway. But, what stands out in my mind is when Kevin was finished, he looked at me and told me I was beautiful,” she says.

Or—early in her diagnosis when her young son pulled her aside and said he knew she was sick but wanted to know “the name of it.” Eboni says her son is an old soul and even though he was only four years old at the time, he needed to know the truth. “Once he did, his eyes got real big and he told me he was glad I had finally said it. He also said if the rest of the family had to go through this, he needed to know too—so he could go through it with us.” When asked what she might say to someone else embarking on a similar journey, Eboni answers without hesitation. “I’d tell them to focus on what they have, rather than what they don’t have,” she says. “I’d also encourage them to take it day to day and not project ahead—because nobody knows what’s ahead except God. And to let God be their comfort because whether or not you realize it, He’s always by your side.”

In the Here and Now Eboni continues: “Then and now, I am so thankful for my family for being there and supporting me through this—and also for Warren Clinic McAlester and Saint Francis. I can’t imagine ever going anywhere else. Every single person I encountered during my experience at Saint Francis was so nice. The doctors, nurses, staff members— everyone! And I love the way the health system is all connected and that people who live here in McAlester—or in other communities in the area—are able to receive the amazing healthcare.”

“Today, I am happy to say I am doing very well and so grateful for all of the wonderful, compassionate care I received throughout every step of this journey.”