Breast cancer survivor LaQuenten Jones of Hinesville isn’t thrilled about modeling in Saturday’s fashion show to benefit the Telfair Mammography Fund, but will “make the best of it,” he admitted in his characteristically good-natured manner.
“It’s way out of my comfort zone," Jones said of modeling, but “I can’t complain about it. The Lord keeps my spirits up.”
The WSAV and St. Joseph’s/Candler Healing Heroes fashion show will be held Saturday, Oct. 3 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion. Tickets are $25 each and -- because of advance meal preparation -- must be purchased online by going to WSAV.com.
Modeling and dealing with breast cancer are two aspects of life that Jones, 57, seems to take in stride.
A man of strong faith, he was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer on April 26 and says his journey, thus far, has been an education.
“When you want to make the Lord laugh, you tell him your plans,” he said, adding that cancer certainly wasn’t in his life plan. Until it was.
About a year ago he noticed a small knot on the right side of his chest, but dismissed it as likely side effect of working out.
“I’m kind of hard-headed,” he said, adding that he didn’t do anything about it for a while. But when the lump grew to the size of a half-dollar and started to ooze, his wife insisted that he see a doctor. They have been sweethearts since they were in high school in Jacksonville, Fla., so he pays attention to what she says.
“She made me an appointment for the very next day” at the Veterans Administration facility in Hinesville, recalled Jones, a military retiree who works as a range technician at Fort Stewart.
After the office visit he knew “it wasn’t good” and was referred to Katharine Armstrong, M.D., a surgical oncologist at the Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion.
In general terms, Armstrong said most men who develop breast cancer tend to be diagnosed in the later stages.
“Many (men) often don’t know they can even get breast cancer, so they may put off seeking care until a pain or a growth is too much to ignore,” she added. “Men and women alike sometimes avoid addressing noticeable lumps or discomfort in their breast tissue, but women are generally more aware of the risks and more likely to seek care.”
She pointed out that men “should be periodically checking their bodies for any abnormal growths, just as women are encouraged to do self-checks. Men should also keep up on their annual physicals and not shy away from bringing lumps, discomfort or other recent body changes to their doctor’s attention.”
Jones has nothing but praise for Armstrong and other medical professionals he has seen since he was diagnosed.
“Everything went so fast,” he said.
Jones opted for a double mastectomy along with the removal of nine lymph nodes.
“Of those nine, four were cancer, which changed it to a whole different ballgame,” he explained.
He is undergoing chemotherapy treatments and lost his hair and his beard, but “I can roll with that,” he said. Fortunately, he added, he didn’t lose his taste buds because he loves to cook.
“The Lord is carrying me through and keeping my spirits up,” he said.
Throughout his treatment, Jones has continued to work at his Ft. Stewart job, is exercising and enjoying his grandchildren.
His advice to anyone undergoing cancer treatment: “Don’t let chemo stop you. Continue to move and after a while you won’t even think about it.
"I’m not trying to be an advocate,” he explained, but continuing a routine as normal as possible is good medicine for the soul. Additionally, if you find a lump or something suspicious, “get checked immediately.”
And for Jones, “prayer and faith in the Lord can get you through anything.”
He is scheduled to start radiation after his chemo treatments are completed in October, he said.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: 'I am not trying to be an advocate' says survivor
