*This is the fourth in a series of articles on breast cancer survivors in recognition of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Jeannette Gregory is a soft spoken woman with a gentle laugh, sweet smile and quiet demeanor. She still lives in the house she and her husband Billy built in Magee in 1967.
Gregory is also a six-year breast cancer survivor of six years who will celebrate birthday number 84 in November.
She says she forgets a lot these days, including the actual date of her diagnosis, which some may consider a blessing.
Gregory always took care to have a mammogram annually, typically at Magee General Hospital. In her case the machine was down so she had the exam at The Breast Center at Hattiesburg Clinic. It was there that a lump was found in her left breast. Gregory never felt it. “It was so small,” she said. “I was so blessed. The Lord was with me all the way.”
Following the mammogram she had an ultrasound that gave a clearer view of what the doctors were dealing with. Gregory was given two options for surgery: a lumpectomy or removal of the breast. Because of its size she opted for the lump removal only, returning home the day of the procedure.
She didn’t need chemotherapy, but she did have 20 radiation treatments. When asked about their severity, Gregory said she had no ill effects. “I was amazed. My husband carried me. We went five days a week for four weeks. It was just as good as it could be. I made it fine through those treatments. I was kind of leery about it.” She said that her church and friends were all praying for her. Gregory attends Sharon Presbyterian Church.
When Gregory returned after surgery for a six month follow up mammogram, something appeared on the image. Her doctor believed it was scar tissue but did five biopsies. They were all negative. She did take a chemotherapy pill for five years after the diagnosis.
Just over a year ago Gregory had to have a stent placed in her left breast to open an artery. “They don’t put you sound asleep because every once in a while I could hear them talking. Then I’d doze back off!” The stent makes no impact on her mammograms, which she has every six months.
“I was shocked when they told me I had breast cancer. I guess I’m the only one in the family that’s had it.” Gregory is the youngest of seven children and she is the last one. Her husband died three and a half years ago. “It doesn’t seem that long, and in a way it seems forever.” She has four adult children – Johnny, Wesley, Angie and Stephanie – nine grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Gregory has used her cancer journey to encourage daughter Stephanie, who had an aneurysm and brain bleed two years ago. At the time she was living in Connecticut and working in New York.
Initially Stephanie was an opera singer but gave that up to become a music teacher. “She loved those children to death; she taught them piano and voice,” said Gregory. After being unconscious for three weeks, Stephanie woke up with her memory completely intact.
“Honey, we had people all over this state praying for her,” Gregory said. Stephanie still has paralysis on the right side of her body but has physical therapy in the Hattiesburg nursing home where she resides. She is now 51.
Gregory has told Stephanie that the Lord can do anything offering. “Babe, you know I had cancer? She said, ‘Yep, I know that. I hated that. I was so worried.’ You see what God did for me. It’s been six years. I haven’t had any more.’”
Gregory did have a long lasting unexplained case of laryngitis in 2024. She called her daughter Angie and asked her to take her to her doctor for a mammogram just in case. Nothing was there. He asked if she was allergic to iodine. When she said no, he ordered lab work. The results of those tests required medication to treat and clear up the laryngitis. Her voice is clear and strong now.
Gregory was also diagnosed with macular degeneration and is no longer able to drive or read. However, she does get a ride every day to participate in the PriorityOne Bank Senior Center daily lunches.
Of her life right now Jeannette Gregory said, “I’m doing good and I’m so thankful.”
