Pink Shoe Diaries-A Photo Interview with Keiona

Today, our journey through the pink shoe diaries takes us to another special lady and thriver. She is a wife, mother and social worker. She has a beautiful and spunky 15 year old daughter and an equally stunning 27 year old bonus daughter. Since her breast cancer diagnosis, she has started to explore different interests and has truly fallen in love with crocheting.

Friends, meet Keiona. 

Tell us about your journey with breast cancer.

I found a lump in my breast at the age of 38. I waited about 2 months-in that time I turned 39. Really I needed time to process what was going on and what my next steps would be. After completing an appointment with my family doctor, mammogram and ultra sound I was diagnosed with breast cancer on 12/27/2017. I had a mastectomy, 12 rounds of chemotherapy and reconstruction from January of 2018 to August of 2018. It was tough physically but mentally played more of a role. I worked the majority through chemotherapy because

I really needed a sense of normalcy.

What did you learn about yourself, others, and the world throughout this journey?

I learned that I truly can do all things through Christ who strengths me. I learned that it’s ok to depend on my family and to cry if I need to.

Things don’t have to look perfect.

We are all doing this thing called life-extend grace to myself and others.

What advice would you give someone recently diagnosed with breast cancer?

My advice is to talk about what you are thinking and feeling. Do your research and get the opinions of the physician but ultimately make the decision that is nest for you.

Please write anything else that you would like to share here.

My motto through all of this was I am making lemonade out of the lemons I was dealt.

I am proud of the women that I am today.

Thank you, Keiona for participating in this project. I have seen you from afar as you have traveled this journey, and you do it with such grace and humility. It is truly a beautiful thing to see.