In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Atlanta Public Schools is proud to highlight the stories of survivors who continue to serve students and their school communities.
Jalysa Stewart is a 4th- and 5th-grade teacher at Kimberly Elementary School, and this is her story:
In 2022, I felt a lump in my right breast, and I didn’t know what it was at first. I waited a couple of days following that self-examination and later decided to go to the doctor and see what was happening. I shared my concerns with my mom and went to the doctor. My gynecologist referred me to the Breast Care Center of Macon, and that’s where I started the treatment plan to cure my Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) breast cancer.
During my journey, I wasn’t employed by APS. However, I had a great family unit that ensured I was mentally, spiritually, and physically okay. They supported me through every surgery, and the community I lived in supported me by wearing pink on the days of my surgeries.
The surgeries and not being able to hold my three-year-old were the most challenging part of my journey. She could tell something was wrong. My family explained to her that I had boo-boos, so she would have to be gentle and hug me in specific ways. One night, she wanted to sleep with me, but I was still healing and sore. I had to keep telling her and myself that we would lie together little by little and when I could. We would sit together, and I would read to her, watch TV, and sometimes sit outside. She motivated me to heal. It healed me even more to see her excitement when we could finally hug and I could hold her. She was a champ!
Today, I am happy to report that I am 100 percent cancer-free! I am truly blessed by those who supported me then and those who support me now.
Q: What advice or encouragement would you give to individuals who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and are undergoing treatment?
A: I would advise someone who has been diagnosed and is undergoing treatment to use music as a coping mechanism. Find a song that brings you peace and calms you. Surround yourself with people who speak positively about you daily, hour to hour, minute to minute; this will help. On the low days, remember that you are a vibe, someone full of strength, and your story matters.
As Breast Cancer Awareness Month comes to an end, the APS Department of Health and Physical Education invites everyone to wear pink this Wednesday, October 30. By participating, we honor survivors like Jalysa, remember those we’ve lost, and support the ongoing fight against this disease. Don’t forget to engage with us online using the hashtag #APSGoesPink! Together, we can raise awareness and advocate for progress in breast cancer prevention and care.
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