Cancer survivor Claire Jones of Boardman enjoyed decorating pumpkins with a breast cancer awareness theme. (Staff photo / J.T. Whitehouse)

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the last in a series of stories on local breast cancer survivors.

BOARDMAN — Claire Jones, 70, is back enjoying her time in the pool at Creekside Health and Fitness Center.

She loves swimming, but had to put it on hold as she battled cancer, not once, but twice.

Jones grew up on the North Side of Youngstown and graduated from Ursuline in 1969. She went on to attend business classes at Youngstown Business College, then was employed by ANCO, a software distributor for business.

She married Bob Jones in 2003 and continued her career as a business manager for University Sports Physical Therapy, from which she took retirement in September 2016.

“I thought we had finally made it (to retirement),” she said. “We would have no schedule to follow and could start traveling whenever we wanted.”

It was a nice dream, but it was short-lived. In January 2017, just four months after retirement, Jones was diagnosed with uterine cancer.

“It was a total shock,” she said. “Up until that point, I had never had a problem.”

She went through a multitude of tests over the next few months and in June 2017, she had a complete hysterectomy. Since the cancer was found early and hadn’t spread, Jones did not need any further treatment.

“I was relieved for a short time, but was not out of the woods yet, as far as cancer was concerned,” Jones said.

In March 2018, Jones went for her annual mammogram. Days later, she got the call about an “abnormal test result.”

“Two weeks later, I had a core biopsy and to my amazement it showed I had triple-negative DCIS Grade 3 breast cancer,” she said. “My first thought was, ‘this can’t be happening to me.'”

The type of cancer she was diagnosed with was rare and normally affects Jewish and black women. There was no history of cancer in Jones’ family and she never smoked.

She said her doctor acted quickly and she had a lumpectomy in May, followed by four extremely aggressive chemotherapy treatments. That was followed by a series of 33 radiation treatments that caused her hair to fall out. That was traumatic.

“I had survived, but my faith was being tested,” Jones said.

She recalled the Biblical story of the woman who had a blood disorder for 12 years and said if she could but touch the hem of Jesus’ garment she would be healed. Jones said that story really stuck with her as friends, family and her church family at Assembly of God Church in Poland began supporting her.

“My church family was bringing me dinners, and the music director (Pastor Lincoln Williams) even wrote a song for me titled ‘Just a Touch’. That song was sung at church and drew a tremendous altar call,” she said. “That was the purpose God had for me.”

Jones continues to be active at church and has joined the Joanie Abdu Breast Care Center’s Joanie’s Sisters support group.

“I forged some beautiful friendships and bonds with some of the ladies in that group,” Jones said. “We have a beautiful Serenity Garden we can go to and pray for each other. You really do form bonds with other women who are on the same journey in life.”

She said having friends support and pray for her was a big part of the healing process. She had classmates from her high school years sending cards, a friend crocheted a purse for her, another helped her with picking out a wig, and a bunch of kind thoughts and gestures all played a part in getting her through the tough times.

She is also grateful to have a loving husband to be there for her. Bob Jones said it has been a tough fight for him as well. He lost his first wife in 1999 after she was diagnosed with a blood cancer.

“She had taken ill at home, went to the hospital and was diagnosed with acute leukemia,” Bob said. “She only lasted 10 days. Four years later, I found another good woman in Claire. When she was diagnosed, it hit me hard. With cancer, there are no guarantees it can be cured.”

For Jones, she knows the importance of being there and helping others traveling on the road she had been on. She readily takes part in groups that help other women through the tough times. She said the numbers in the Mahoning Valley are not small either.

“Cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence,” Claire said. “There is life after treatment. Be strong, and don’t be afraid to ask for support. Support is a major component in the process. Today, three years later, I am strong and healthy. I have learned to appreciate each and every day. I do my best to be kind to everyone I meet because you never know what someone may be facing in their own life.”