JONESBORO — In September of 2019, Jessie Goree was planning for her 65th birthday in December, but on Sept. 11 she received devastating news — she had breast cancer.
“I ended up with the diagnosis of breast cancer. It was quite devastating to me because I didn’t have any inkling that cancer might be in my body,” the Clayton County Board of Education chair said.
While her breast cancer diagnosis was in 2019, in a sense, her journey began in 2006. That year, Goree did a three-day, 60-mile breast cancer walk.
“I encountered all types of women who had experienced breast cancer, and I saw the strength and all those things,” she said.
On the last day of the event, participants were taken to Peachtree Industrial Boulevard off I-285 and they then walked to Piedmont Park.
At the end of the walk, “I just broke down and cried because I was like ‘man, I didn’t realize that I had the strength to make this’ — and I felt like because I did that, I could accomplish and overcome anything.”
Goree would need all that strength in 2019 with her diagnosis.
Even though she was devastated at the news she said she thought at the time that “I don’t know what stage I’m in — stage 1, stage 4, I just know whatever stage it is, that I would overcome it.”
Chemotherapy, radiation, and a lumpectomy would follow as well as many other problems and side effects — diarrhea, dehydration, loss of taste, hair loss, and other problems.
Her first chemo was scheduled right before her 65th birthday but rescheduled so that she could enjoy her birthday. The treatments began shortly after her birthday.
With the chemo came rapid hair loss and her solution — having her head shaved.
The day she went in to have it done, she brought her daughter and granddaughters with her, and it was emotional for everyone.
“My hairdresser — she started crying instead…
Read the full article here
