Interview with Metastatic Breast Cancer Thriver, Terlisa Sheppard: as told to Baddie Ambassador, Keneene Lewis

Our Baddie x 2 series is an intimate moment in time grasping the interaction between two baddies as they discuss being diagnosed, survivorship, and everything that comes in between. We hope that you enjoy this series and that it sparks a dialogue amongst the breast cancer community.

Live in the moment, moment to moment are words to live by no matter where you are in life.

The words hit home a little quicker when it comes from an OG metastatic thriver like Terlisa Sheppard. She is an amazing 55-year-old African American woman who currently resides in Orlando, FL. If you haven’t been blessed to meet her yet, you definitely need to make sure you change that soon.

Terlisa was diagnosed in November 1998 with Stage 3B breast cancer at 30 years old. She was married at the time, with a two-year-old daughter Alexis, and pregnant with her youngest daughter, Alyah. During her active treatment, she would dress up for her treatments to feel better about the situation.

In November of 2001, while preparing to have hip surgery at 31 years old, she was informed that she had a recurrence. This time, the breast cancer had metastasized and spread to her bones, lungs, and liver. Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is sometimes referred to as Stage 4 which essentially means that the breast cancer has spread to another part of the body. This usually includes the bones, lungs, liver, or brain.

According to National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. (2022), “The spread of cancer usually happens through one or more of the following steps:

• Cancer cells invade nearby healthy cells. When the healthy cell is taken over, it too can replicate more abnormal cells.
• Cancer cells penetrate into the circulatory or lymph system. Cancer cells travel through the walls of nearby lymph vessels or blood vessels.
• Migration through circulation. Cancer cells are carried by the lymph system and the bloodstream to other parts of the body.
• Cancer cells lodge in capillaries. Cancer cells stop moving as they are lodged in capillaries at a distant location and divide and migrate into the surrounding tissue.
• New small tumors grow. Cancer cells form small tumors at the new location called micrometastases”

In 2002, she received her third diagnosis of breast cancer when she learned that it spread to her abdomen and spine. Her last diagnosis of breast cancer was when she was told that it spread to her brain in 2003. Throughout our conversation, Terlisa mentioned that cancer has caused post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) every November.

I cannot begin to imagine the thoughts that began to flood her mind hearing that her healthcare provider basically gave up on her. Terlisa shared that her thoughts immediately went to her babies. She was forced to retire at the age of 34 years old. Her world was rocked by all of this at such a young age. After hearing the news, she decided to create a scrapbook for her daughters. She wanted to share her story through pictures and her words to ensure that her daughters would know their mom. Thankfully, God had a different plan for her life!

Kicking off this amazing new series, Baddie x 2: Growth through Conversations, I was able to catch up with this dope baddie ambassador, Terlisa Sheppard.

Q & A with Terlisa Sheppard

Hey Sis! Thank you for your time and willingness to share your experience. How did you hear about For the Breast Of Us (FTBOU)?

If I remember correctly, I was scrolling and learned about FTBOU on social media.

How has FTBOU supported you?

There are so many organizations out here that have helped me on my journey. We are all aware that there isn’t as much support in these communities. I was really elated to be a part of an organization like this. FTBOU puts me in a position to be able to give back to the black and brown communities. It gives me the fire to continue with advocacy. I am very comfortable with the women in this organization. I feel seen. We don’t have to be concerned with anything but simply connecting. I love the culture of FTBOU!

What is your favorite part about being an FTBOU Baddie?

I enjoy being around others who share a likeness and are like-minded. We share resources and our journeys. I love learning about other folks and I am just rejuvenated every time that I am with the women of this organization.

What does it mean to you to be a Metathriver?

Metathriver to me means persevering through whatever comes. Live in the moment. Thrive to the best of your ability through it. Thankfully, I have been thriving for 21 years now. I seek out the best treatments that I can get, clinical trials, complementary therapies, etc.

What is your current treatment plan?

I am currently doing chemotherapy on Wednesdays. Being diagnosed with MBC, I will be in some type of treatment for the rest of my life.

What complementary therapies have you tried?

Massage, physical therapy, & chiropractor. I have hip and joint issues. Carpal tunnel in my left hand. My cancer center offers yoga for free.

We as black women have to survive and/or thrive on many different levels, sometimes to the point where we can’t slip up. Are you tired of just simply thriving?

I don’t feel tired.

All I can think about was when I couldn’t even drive or walk. I had lost so much weight. I was in a wheelchair. I would rather be in the position that I am in right now…where I no longer need it. I feel that I must do it!! This is why I wanted to get involved in something to help the black and brown communities.

I am thankful that I am living. Now I use my scrapbook with those who are newly diagnosed and going through treatments. I use it as another tool to share my story, through the pictures and words in my scrapbook, as a means to help others see my journey. I spend my days giving back. This is part of self-care for me. Now, I drive others to treatment. I draw energy from helping others and give it back out. Also, I draw energy from my daughters.

What do you do that you feel assists yourself physically? Mentally, what do you do on those hard days to push through?

Traveling, but specifically, I go to the beach – it has been my outlet. Even with my walker in tow, I pushed through the sand with all of my might to sit in a chair and look at the ocean. Literally, I would leave chemotherapy treatments and go directly to the beach. I would sit there reflecting on my journey and life. Life is a precious commodity and full of simple pleasures; we, my daughters, and I cherish the simple things. Being at the beach is rejuvenating and the best medicine for me.

Have you made lifestyle changes that seem to work for you?

In 2005, I got divorced. This was the first lifestyle change that I made and helped a whole lot!
Since the craniotomy, I have been walking. I go for walks all of the time. I am focused on getting my 10,000 steps per day. One option offered at my cancer center at no extra cost was to see a nutritionist. I was able to see a nutritionist after I was told that I was borderline diabetic. The nutritionist taught me to look at the side of the box. I sat there feeling like I was back in school. I learned so much that day and I still use those tips. Since that day at nutrition school, I no longer buy juice from the grocery store. I make my own juice and smoothies. I am very conscious of natural sugars. I changed my diet and I am trying to do better.

Tell me about your support system.

My daughters. My youngest daughter just moved back to Florida from Dallas and my other daughter lives in Dallas. I have three sisters and two brothers. I have lost a lot of family over the last 5 years. I really am thankful for how my siblings have shown up for us over the years. My neighbors still cook for me, and my old coworkers still check in on me to this day. Throughout this whole journey, I am surrounded by my community.

How has your diagnosis affected your family?

My diagnosis encourages my daughters to give back. I take them to outreach events and opportunities. I believe that these experiences continue to keep them humble.

What parts of old Terlisa are still a part of you today?

I still see the strength of old Terlisa. I gather that strength to help with the new Terlisa and with her family.

What are your favorite parts about the new Terlisa that the old Terlisa didn’t have?

I am definitely living life! Old Terlisa didn’t live life. Living in the moment, and making the best of my life right now. Moment to moment.

How has dating been with MBC?

I was so caught up with being a mother then that I really didn’t consider it. I was dating someone for 6 years. It was a fine refreshing way to ease back into dating. I went into that relationship very early on explaining that I had MBC, mastectomy, etc. His response was what I needed to hear; that everyone is going through something.

What are three things you would tell someone who was just diagnosed with MBC?

What is a typical day like for you now?

I am focused on getting my steps in and focusing on my overall physical health. I am invested in my volunteer work. I feel that I definitely do more than I ever did in my actual job. I choose to stay pretty busy by staying involved. I enjoy mentoring other cancer survivors, especially a country girl.

Why do you feel it is important for us to reach out to rural communities?

I am from Browntown, Alabama, near Prattville, AL. There are many people dying that live in rural areas because they are unable to have access to care. At times, the closest cancer center is over an hour away. In rural communities, many people encounter issues because of a lack of resources or even the option of cancer care. The lack of internet connection, education, shortage of care, a limited number of doctors, etc. can all be factors.

A lot of people don’t know that they have access to a nurse navigator, social worker, etc. A lot of people do not have access to transportation, and are unable to invest in their care due to costs, and rushing home because of the distance. I try to lend myself by talking to organizations and researchers that we need to be more involved in the rural communities to aid them in their survivorship. I post on social media to reach those people. I have shared information about organizations and programs.

How can our readers connect with you?

Social media – @terlisafights on Twitter, IG, FB; Website – Terlisafights.com

This conversation opened the door to see how Terlisa Sheppard’s impact and legacy will always be stitched into the seams of the entire breast cancer community. The number of people that are influenced and now have hope because of this extraordinary being is immeasurable. By being herself through and through, she is but a humbled beam of light transcending the norms of the metastatic diagnosis.

After 20+ years of thriving and soaring; Terlisa continues to defy the odds.

She is a remarkable black woman full of quiet regality and virtue. She is a living icon for the black and brown community. She deserves a garden of flowers for the way she gravitates in this space with grace. I see you, Sis!

No words will ever express the reverence that we have for you. Continue to emanate your motto: