Donneil D. Jackson is a writer by nature and a Jersey girl at heart. Always a daydreamer, a young Donneil discovered that she was able to escape into pure bliss with her charismatic storytelling abilities. Since then, she has used her writing gift to paint elaborate scenes and descriptive tales with a dash of humor and wisdom thrown into the mix.
In 2008, Donneil penned and published her debut novel, Chante’s Song. The best way to describe her writing alter ego is Carrie Bradshaw meets Being Mary Jane; think spicy with a hint of drama. The characters that Donneil creates are often emotionally-charged, and her plots are always well-executed.
She is currently growing her lifestyle blog, Imperfect Brown Girl, where she documents life on her terms while embracing her flaws and all. She resides in New Jersey with her daughter, and when Donneil’s not daydreaming, she’s plotting her next storyline.
Patrice: What is your SwagHer? What makes Donneil, Donneil?
Donneil:Â I don’t know. I’m just me. I’m quirky, blunt, confident, strong, and delicate. F*uck it. I’m awesome. I’m just me.
Patrice: When were you diagnosed with breast cancer?
Donniel: It was a Tuesday. The first week of January 2017. I came home and sat on the couch. For whatever reason, I started taking my clothes off, right on the sofa. After I removed my bra, I felt a lump in my left breast. I poked the right to see if it was something there too. I called my boyfriend at the time, asking him to come back home to feel it again. Like he was a doctor and could analyze it. The next day, Wednesday, I went to my GYN. Everything moved fast after that. Thursday, I had a mammogram. Friday a biopsy. And by Tuesday, I was diagnosed with cancer.
Patrice: What stage was it in?
Donniel: Initially, I was told it was stage 1. By the time I had my lumpectomy, about a month after being diagnosed, it had traveled to the lymph nodes in my left arm, making it stage 2.
Patrice: During this challenging time of your life, you probably have experienced many pain and stress. How did you overcome those obstacles in your life?
Donniel: I had a great support system. I still do. I kept a lot of feelings to myself, and I always do. I do that because friends and family cannot relate. Unless you have gone through something, you are really can’t relate or understand. I love my circle, my village. I know they love me too. They are there for me whenever needed: They are supportive and comforting. They are my girlfriends.
Patrice: Does anyone else in your family have cancer or breast cancer?
Donniel:Â My paternal grandmother died of breast cancer when my father was a teenager. She was diagnosed at age 35. I was diagnosed at 38 and tested positive for the BRAC II gene. By 40, her fight with cancer had ended, with cancer being the victor. Gratefully, I won my battle, and I am a 3-year survivor. My father was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer. He’s going to win his struggle as well.
Patrice: How are you advocating yourself and becoming an advocate in the community to help spread awareness?
Donniel: I try my best to spread the word that it is important to get annual mammograms. Get the girls checked! I participate in breast cancer walks, I donate, and I spread the word.
Patrice: As we all know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Do you plan to attend any events or workshops?
Donniel: COVID put a damper on my annual breast cancer walk. But that funky virus won’t stop the show. I am still promoting getting your breast checked.
Patrice: Have you done any speaking engagements for breast cancer? If not, do you plan to?
Donniel:Â I haven’t, but I would love to. I want to share my breast cancer journey with other women. I want to be an inspiration for them as well as an ear to hear their stories.Â
Patrice: What do you want to tell other women who are battling breast cancer?
Donniel: It is not only a physical battle. It is a mental battle, as well. Breast cancer can have you questioning your womanhood. It will have you walking around here not feeling like a woman because your hair is thinning, you are losing your hair, and you might not have any more children. You may feel like all the things that you make you a woman, physically is being taken away from you at no choice of your own. Maybe you are walking around with a swollen arm, forced to wear an uncomfortable compression sleeve because now you have lymphedema. You are still here! You are still here! You are loved, and you serve a purpose. Seek out support groups or women who have once walked in your shoes. Those are the best people to lean on for support.
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