The Face and Faith of a Champion: LaVone Boyd’s Battle with Cancer

If you ever wondered what the face of a real champion looks like, peer into the eyes of LaVone Sharp Boyd and you’ll wonder no more. This courageous lady is more than a breast cancer survivor, she’s a warrior, who has battled breast cancer not once, but twice, and her faith and perseverance have carried her when she felt she could not go on by herself.

First diagnosed with breast cancer in April of 2018, LaVone had gone for a routine mammogram and was caught off guard when her doctor called to tell her that he wanted her to have additional tests including an ultrasound. After the results were in, her world quickly changed.

She was rushed to a surgeon for a biopsy, and one week later, diagnosed with the news no one ever wants to hear: cancer. The cancer was already advanced to the stage that treatments alone would not suffice, and surgery was quickly scheduled.

“As we got dressed for the surgery, my husband (Clifford) was afraid, but I told him whatever happens, the Lord will be with me,” she shared with tears in her eyes and a break in her voice. “As quickly as the doctor told me the news, a peace from God came over me.”

The surgery resulted in a mastectomy and the removal of a lymph node with chemotherapy and radiation treatments following. A strong reaction to the chemo resulted in another weeklong hospital stay. Her treatment plan was reassessed and a lesser chemo option was prescribed.

As with every person who undergoes such treatment, the day she had been dreading finally dawned. As she described it, she was sitting on the side of her bed when she reached up to touch her head, something, she said “just felt funny.” Her hand returned with a fistful of her waist length hair that just “fell out.” Initially, that was a big issue for her but looking back, she explains that she decided having life was more important.

“Being here for my grandbabies was more important than my hair, and losing it didn’t change who I was,” she reflected.

After months of undergoing chemotherapy and all that it entails, all scans read clear and as she explained, “You’re not declared ‘cancer free’ until the last treatment is taken and the final scans are in. This was in March 2019, a little over a year since my diagnosis.”

During her journey, she kept a diary of her feelings, thoughts and faith. In it, she recorded her gratitude to God and her radical faith and trust in His promises. She kept it for others who might have to endure what she had, intending to share it with anyone and everyone who might need her words and declarations of encouragement. As it turned out, she would be one of the ones who would read it again in the very near future.

“I was overwhelmed. I was really overwhelmed.”

Those were her words when asked of her reaction in 2022 when she was told the cancer was back, this time in her chest wall.

It was discovered in a scheduled sixmonth cancer scan, a scan rarely done for cancer patients who have been declared cancer free. Once achieving clear status, scans are normally reduced to one to two years, so the early scan was a miracle within itself.

“I came out of the doctor’s building that day by myself and the song, “Come What May” came immediately into my mind. I told the Lord that no matter what, He’d kept me the first time and He’d keep me now. I said, come what may, Lord, you’re with me. And He has been,” she recalled. “My mama taught me as a child to never question God and that things like cancer happen in life. You just continue to trust in God.”

“It would have been so easy for me to have caved in and just stayed in bed after that, but I couldn’t do that. That would be letting God down and not trusting Him. Many days I forced a smile, and I knew I was only functioning because He allowed extra strength for that day,” she continued.

While again undergoing surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, she used her past and present experiences to minister to other women battling breast cancer. Last month, La-Vone got the news that every cancer patient desires to hear: “All clear!”

“I feel great! I give God praise and will never stop trusting Him! I appreciate things like family and everyday life. I get up each day and don’t take it for granted,” her heart in her voice as she spoke.

She expressed appreciation for her support team – her husband, family, work friends, friends, pastor and pastor’s wife and encourages all women to have routine mammograms as early detection is crucial. Her message to everyone is that each day is a gift from God, so cherish it.

“I’m ready for a vacation!” she declared with a laugh, voicing her thankfulness for the extensive family, church and community support, she received during both battles with breast cancer.

A while back, a storm came and blew down a big oak tree in the Boyd’s yard. While cleaning it up they noticed a pine tree standing behind the oak damaged and marked by the storm, but which refused to fall. It carried scars from the storm, but it stood steady and tall anyway.

“That was a reminder to me just like that tree, I’ve been through some storms. I’m scarred, yes, but I’m still standing in God. I want to be an inspiration to other ladies going breast cancer,” she concluded.

The voice of a champion, for sure.