FULSHEAR — Amber Jones is still processing it all.
How do you explain what happened that wasn’t supposed to happen?
Jones, in her second year as Fulshear High’s head athletic trainer, beat breast cancer in December of 2020, at 28 years old, when she was a trainer at Buda Johnson High in central Texas.
Jones endured 10 rounds of chemotherapy and surgery. From diagnosis to being cleared, it lasted a year.
Afterward, as precaution, Jones did everything doctors recommended to prevent reoccurrence.
She had all stomach fat up to her breasts removed. She underwent a nipple-sparing mastectomy, which removes all breast tissue without removing the nipple, skin or areola.
Any tissue left behind was susceptible to cancer returning.
“I was like, no, yeah, it’s OK,” Jones said. “You can have it.”
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When the Fulshear job opened, Jones, a Rosenberg native who graduated from Terry High School in 2010, jumped on it. She wanted to be closer to family.
But, perhaps just as important, Fulshear inspired a new beginning.
“Before, I felt like I was just living. Just existing,” Jones said. “Go to school, work for a paycheck. But was I actually living? I felt like I was living in fear a little bit. Kind of safe. I felt like this was God’s way of giving me a restart.”
During a routine checkup in late September, the rebirth came to a crushing halt.
Two areas of suspicion were detected in Jones’ left breast, where the cancer was discovered the first time. Two biopsies were conducted. One was dead tissue. The other was cancerous.
Doctors are in the process of figuring out how and why the cancer returned.
“I don’t know if anybody or anything can help you prepare for any type of diagnosis of anything,” said Jones, 32. “But I also don’t think they prepare you for life after, like learning your new normals of what you can and can’t do, or how looking at yourself in the mirror messes with you emotionally.”
Fulshear is honoring Jones prior to kickoff of Friday’s football game against Foster. The team will wear black jerseys with pink lettering. Parents purchased players’ jerseys for $65. That money will go back to Jones, as companies have sponsored to donate money toward the jerseys.
The cheer and dance teams will wear pink-out shirts, and $5 from every shirt sale goes back to Jones.
The shirts read, “Her fight is our fight.”
Chargers football players and coaches are also donating money for each pink item they wear. Jones will be presented a check before the game.
Head cheer coach Tara Smith, whose mother dealt with breast cancer, helped organize Friday’s event with head football coach Nick Codutti.
“It’s not just about wearing pink in October,” Smith said. “It’s more than that. I think this really shows kids that it’s not just about awareness, but you want to do something about it. You can’t take the pain away or make her better, but you can show you care.”
‘This was not supposed to happen, and it did’
After being diagnosed a second time, Jones said she felt comfortable telling her story.
“I had taken all the steps, talking to my oncologist and breast surgeon, to take the path of least reoccurrence,” Jones said. “So many checkups passed. I thought I was OK. I’m shocked.
“But I also feel this is for a reason and that now is my time to be more of an advocate. I was already an advocate, but now I can be more of one because I’m like science. This was not supposed to happen, and it did.”
Jones was reluctant to tell coaches and students at Fulshear. She wanted anything but to be a burden.
“Life is crazy for everybody,” she said.
But when Jones disclosed her diagnosis, she was met with empathy, not sympathy.
“I think the initial reaction was what could we do to make sure she’s loved and cared for,” Smith said. “She doesn’t just work here. We’re a family here. I think it’s big for her to know she has the support without her having to say a word.”
Fulshear coaches made it a ‘we’ thing, Jones said.
“They let me know they were here, they are going to support me,” she said. “And that’s, really, been district wide. I know if there’s anything I need, I can reach out to them and they’ll figure something out. It’s such comfort to know you have family everywhere around you.”
Smith said Jones has a heart of gold. She’s in the fieldhouse early, leaves late. She credits Jones for initiating an all-inclusive environment in the athletics department.
“From the cheer side of things, cheerleaders don’t get recognized in the athletic world a lot of times, but her and her trainers set the precedence of every athlete is treated the same,” Smith said. “She changed that mindset here.”
Smith said she feels Jones deals with her diagnosis internally. There is no sign she lets it affect her day-to-day life.
“She still puts the kids first,” Smith said.
Smith knows it is a delicate situation to handle, especially when teenagers are involved.
“Kids have different backgrounds,” Smith said. “Some of them have lost a parent or someone they love to this. I have a girl on my cheer squad who lost a parent to breast cancer. When she found out, it hit really close to home. We have to show Amber we care for her while also giving her space.”
Cleopatra and Pearl
Jones said her life has not changed much.
She tries to eat healthier. More salad, vegetables and fruit. Fewer fried foods.
But otherwise, life is the same, other than a few down days here and there when she “just doesn’t have it.”
It has been a chore balancing a hectic work life with knowing she needs to slow down and listen to her body more.
“It’s really hard,” Jones said. “The kids help me fight through it. I try my hardest to give what I can give when I’m here. But there will be some days when I just am not going to have it. And the kids know that. And they know I’m still here for them, rooting for them.”
On those days where she is away from work to take a break or rest, Jones sits outside with her dogs, Cleopatra and Pearl, and listens to the birds chirp. She likes to feel the wind. She lets nature engulf her.
“Sometimes I don’t give myself enough time to just be still and take in what is around me,” Jones said. “I have to tell myself it’s OK to be sad. It’s OK to be frustrated. It’s OK to feel overwhelmed. Who wouldn’t?”
When people ask what she needs, Jones tells them she doesn’t know.
Prayers would help. A hug is welcomed. Encouragement is nice. A pat on the back can be everything.
“Because I honestly do not know,” Jones said. “I’m still processing everything.”
Life is minute to minute.
“I have my ups and downs,” Jones said. “Sadness, frustration, worry. But I’ve beat this and done it before, and I can do it again.”
Jones has an appointment with her breast surgeon on Nov. 3. She is hoping to have more answers then.
For now, Jones fights and pushes. She has so much to live for. Family and friends. Her dream of one day being an athletic trainer for the Rockettes in New York City. Fulshear High School. Her student trainers, who have worked tirelessly to ensure Jones does not have to do anything more than she has to.
“To anybody, male or female, old or young, it’s so important to advocate for themselves and their body,” Jones said. “You know you. You know when something’s not right. Find somebody who listens. And live each day like it’s your last.”
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Nov 1, 2023|Updated Nov 3, 2023 4:07 p.m.
Dennis Silva II is a staff writer for the Houston Chronicle. He can be reached at [email protected].
Dennis covers high school sports in the Greater Houston area.
Dennis is a graduate of Mayde Creek High School in Houston, where he was named to the school’s Wall of Honor in 2023. He attended St. Mary’s University in San Antonio and holds a bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sport Science. A sports journalist since 2006, he was honored as the 2023 Texas High School Coaches Association Sportswriter of the Year. His sports writing and sports coverage have also been recognized by the Associated Press Managing Editors, Associated Press Sports Editors and Texas Press Association.
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