Fit 4 The Fight Feature - Dr. Ebbie Jackson
Welcome to this week's #Fit4TheFightFriday Feature. For the month of October, which is breast cancer awareness month. I have decided to highlight some amazing women who are cancer survivors. They share snippets of their stories of true strength and resilience and offer advice to women as well.
Today's feature is Dr. Ebbie Jackson
Dr. Ebbie Shearer Jackson is a Christian, a wife, mother, Optometrist, marathon runner, ministry leader and business professional.
Dr. Ebbie was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in January of 2010. She was training for her first marathon that was scheduled to take place in Jan 2010 in Miami, when in Nov of 2009 while running she felt a bearing down internally in her body. She went to her doctor to be checked out and she was advised that she needed to have a hysterectomy. After having an ultrasound done and it revealed that her uterus was intact, two weeks later she had difficulty raising her right hand which was causing a lot of pain, so she went and had an ultrasound done which revealed a mass. Further testing revealed a large mass and after completing a biopsy , Ebbie was diagnosed with breast cancer on January 25th, 2010.
Ebbie doesnt see herself as being in remission, instead she thanks God that she is healed .
This year makes 10 years cancer-free for Ebbie and she gives God Thanks !
I asked Ebbie " What role has fitness played in your life? "
"I was a fitness instructor for several years before I got married, when I became pregnant I was very sick and thus not able to continue as a fitness instructor. After that I stayed physically active but in my forties I started long distance running. I ran my first marathon 2 weeks before I started chemotherapy, was inactive for one yr due to treatments. I completed my second marathon 10 months after cancer treatment and have been running and cross training ever since. When I go to see my doctors they would always say that whatever you are doing please continue because my results are excellent. But I always say that’s God! "
I asked Ebbie " What advice would you give women with regards to health & fitness? "
"We as women carry a lot of responsibilities, we tend to take care of everyone and everything before ourselves. We sometimes become so depleted and exhausted that it affects our health. We have to learn to take care of ourselves first so that we can take care of others. Make time for yourselves, three things I always say to women; eat healthy, exercise and get sufficient rest. Stay in tune with your body by having annual health checks, listen to your body and don’t try to self-diagnose. "
Ebbie thank you so much for sharing your story and advice with us, and for being such a phenomenal woman of strength. I am thankful that you are healed and pray you continue to press forward and inspire others, like me on your journey.
Dr. Ebbie has a book for sale entitled " A Marathon Runner's Triumph Over Breast Cancer " the link to purchase via amazon is below
Ebbie also has hard copies of the book available for sale her facebook page is linked below to request a copy:
Thank You again Ebbie for being featured on #Fit4TheFightFriday !
Stay tuned for more #Fit4TheFight features coming up Friday's in October.
