Sally Crawford Smith is 70 years old and married to soulmate, Tony Smith. They have two adult children, Scott and Aimee, along with six grandchildren. The Smith’s also raised Sally’s younger sister, Kristi, after their mother’s death.
Through her years of ups and downs, she has continued to further her education, earning her diploma as a Surgical Tech at Ware Technical School in Waycross, an associate degree in Nursing from South Georgia College, along with a bachelor and master’s degree in Adult Education from Valdosta State University.
After working at Memorial Hospital in Waycross and Ware County Health Department, Smith retired after 26 years from Okefenokee Technical College, now Coastal Pines Technical College, as a surgical technology instructor.
Smith is not only my cousin by marriage, but one of my dearest friends and prayer warriors. Through all of her hardships, she has never given up hope, but instead she has been a walking testimony for others…including me. A true warrior, indeed!
IN HER OWN WORDS: My story begins with a diagnosis of kidney disease and having my first transplant in March of 2004. The surgery was successful and the beginning of a multitude of drugs that kept my body from rejecting the kidney and increased my probability of cancers developing. This put my risk at three times higher than the general population.
The next few years were uneventful and I settled into life with a transplant. However in 2006, my family suffered the greatest loss any family can endure.
My 14 year old grandson died in a tragic accident that sent all of us into unimaginable grief that we will never get over. For me, throwing myself into my job and school, working 40-60 hours per week and going to college fulltime in order to avoid the pain and grief was my way of coping.
The first suspicious lump was discovered by a yearly mammogram in 2015 and followed by a needle biopsy to confirm breast cancer. We then scheduled a lumpectomy, followed by radiation and estrogen blockers. I breezed through this stage and I was fine…but the transplanted kidney began to decline and I had to begin dialysis once again. This would mean having to have another transplant.
The second transplant was completed on November 1, 2018 after a two year wait due to the original breast cancer diagnosis. It went off without a hitch and works perfectly to this day.
In 2021, six years after my first breast biopsy and treatment, a second lesion was found during my yearly mammogram… originally thought to be a recurrence of the first cancer diagnosis. However, the biopsy determined it to be a completely different cancer with a totally different diagnosis. With this cancer diagnosis, I had a mastectomy followed by chemotherapy and immunotherapy… none of which were fun to endure but definitely not the worst things I have lived through. I really had an easy treatment experience, unlike many who suffer the side effects. I have been so very blessed through all of my trials.
Because both lesions were small and found early, less than 1 cm and 1.1 cm, I could not feel or find either by self exams. Only God, along with the yearly mammograms saved me. I beg you to schedule your mammograms and do your own self exams! Be proactive and take care of yourself.
Since I was a child, I have known Jesus and always believed in God… that Jesus died and rose from the grave to save us. But, like many who get busy in life, I let that part of my life slide away. I still prayed but I was angry with God because I was fighting all of the illnesses, pain, and grief. I know that He didn’t cause any of my troubles, whether illness or Chris’ accident. I know that He carried me through the bad times. I also know that without HIM and my family, I would not be here today. Without Tony, I know I would not be alive. He fought for me when I couldn’t and he made me eat when I wouldn’t. My children and family were always supportive, also.
The thing that changed my life was just a little dream. Jesus sent me a dream with Him standing with Chris and they were laughing and talking. That night, I woke laughing and crying.
I had asked to know that Chris was with Him and I know he answered my prayer. After this, I prayed for forgiveness, strength and wisdom to be a better person. I asked Jesus to show me the way. I still pray for His grace because none of this is easy.
It is work to keep up with all of the doctor’s appointments, all of the medications on time, and to never know the answers to all of the “what ifs.” However, I have given it to Jesus to handle and He promised He would walk with me any time. All I have to do is ask and seek his presence.
