The last time Jill Martin Brooks, 48, spoke to her oncologist, Dr. Eric Winer, he gave her strict instructions — to get her life back. And “that’s exactly what (I) did,” the TODAY contributor tells TODAY.com.
It’s been a little over a year since Jill was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer, shortly after learning she had a BRCA2 mutation. This is an inherited genetic mutation that increases the risk of developing several types of cancer, including breast and ovarian cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Jill’s doctors have fought her cancer “tooth and nail,” she says. In the past year, Jill has undergone a double mastectomy to remove 17 lymph nodes and “one of the toughest chemotherapy regimens,” including Red Devil, the chemotherapy drug doxorubicin known for its bright red color.
Following chemotherapy, Jill underwent 16 consecutive workdays of radiation therapy and a subsequent preventive surgery to remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes.
Now she is taking two oral chemotherapy pills; she will take one for the next year, and the second she will need for the next seven to 10 years. Despite the tumultuous year, Jill has an overwhelming sense of appreciation.
“I actually feel very grateful,” she says, adding that she still feels like “the luckiest person in the world.” Despite having experienced something “horrible,” Jill hopes to raise awareness so other people can avoid “the hell” her family went through, she says.
“(I) am changing the story (about) chemo and the pills,” Jill explains, recalling how her surgeon, Dr. Elisa Port, told her to thank her pills every morning for fighting for her and helping her — not for hurting her.
Jill’s latest procedure is breast reconstruction on July 9. She hopes this will be her last procedure for a while.
“This is the last (planned) surgery,” Jill says. “But cancer doesn’t like it when you say, ‘Oh, this is the last.’ (So) I call it the next phase.”
Jill came out publicly about her cancer diagnosis to raise awareness about BRCA gene mutations and encourage people at risk to get tested. Her candor worked, and she’s heard from thousands of people who said they got tested after hearing her story.
Jill is incredibly grateful to hear that her advocacy has had such an impact on so many, but most importantly, it has helped so many people she knows, including her roommate Melissa. After hearing Jill’s story, Melissa underwent testing and discovered she had the BRCA2 mutation. She underwent a mastectomy and had her ovaries and fallopian tubes removed in an effort to prevent her from developing breast or ovarian cancer.
In a text to Jill after she first found out, Melissa said, “I just had to thank you for hopefully saving my life.”
While Jill feels empowered to have helped so many people, she says cancer has changed her. She feels like a disco ball, she explains — “lots of pieces put back together in a new and beautiful way.”
Jill still sees her old self, but her life is different now. She has a lot to unpack from her experience with breast cancer, but knows there have been many bright spots.
Thanks to the support of her loved ones and colleagues, Jill was able to cope and get the rest she needed.
“You are definitely traumatized and need time for yourself,” she says. “It’s important to acknowledge that.”
She realizes that “being a cancer survivor is with you forever as part of your fabric, for better or for worse.” Although there were tough times, Jill kept working through treatment, sharing Steals & Deals on TODAY. She’s focused on a new business, which she hopes to share more about in the fall. After having to “stay in one place” for cancer treatments, Jill says she’s “looking forward to more adventures,” including traveling.
The kind responses from viewers and fans helped Jill during her diagnosis and treatment.
“I did it in public, and it almost made it easier because people were so supportive,” she says, adding that she is grateful for the love she and her family have received from friends, but also from complete strangers.