CALUMET CITY’S FIRST LADY DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER

Mayor Thaddeus Jones, Calumet City Illinois And Wife Saprina Jones. Photo Provided By STH Media LLC
Mayor Thaddeus Jones, Calumet City Illinois And Wife Saprina Jones. Photo Provided By STH Media LLC

CALUMET CITY’S FIRST LADY DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER

FIRST LADY SAPRINA JONES TO SHARE HER EXPERIENCES FROM INCEPTION TO DATE AS SHE COPES WITH THE NEW PARADIM SHIFT OF HER LIFE


JONES FAMILY PREPARES ITSELF TO BUILD A WALL OF SUPPORT, ADVOCACY, AND PROTECTION AROUND FIRST LADY SAPRINA JONES


“I want to be God’s Vessel in Educating, Preparing and Supporting Women who will Endure This Journey”


(Calumet City, Illinois) 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 Saprina 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 she 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 results of the biopsy. 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 and pledged his full and unwavering support to her. Saprina felt that she would reveal her diagnosis to two people per day that she deemed extremely close to her and her family.

What Saprina discovered through talking about her diagnosis was that she developed an amazing support system. In fact, her friends and family have been here every step of the way. She had her husband and close friend accompany 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, along with 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 the genetic test for cancer, and it revealed the same. 

Saprina has felt blessed to have several great friends in her life that have won this battle and were able to comfort her, 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 who were going through this process alone. Sabrina just continued to thank God for the amazing people in her life while all along 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, her team outstanding, thoughtful, and caring, Saprina views Northwestern as best in class.

The doctors explained everything in detail as they referred to images and diagrams of the procedure. Saprina’s lumpectomy was performed on January 7th. 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.” says Cook County Commissioner Monica Gordon

Alderman Stephanie Coleman adds, “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 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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