KAB Give Back Grants Recipient Highlight: Brittany Shook
In 2020, KAB committed to directly supporting Black women who live in Tennessee and had been diagnosed with breast cancer. We focused on Tennessee women in conjunction with the KAB Nashville Collection
We awarded a total of 16 grants in 2020. 10 funded by KAB from our Keep A Breast Nashville Collection, and an additional 6 graciously donated by the following: Fiona Prine, OHBOY records, One Drop Ink, Braud Creative, Collective 615, and Imogene and Willie. Thank you so, so much for helping us to help more people!
“The Give Back Grant was a godsend. Right when I started to worry, it afforded me the opportunity to re-invest in my real estate business,” says Brittany Shook, one of the 2020 recipients. Get to know more about Brittany below. Thank you, Brittany, for sharing your story with our audience!
If you were an animal, what would you be?
If I were an animal, I would be a Giant Panda.
When was your diagnosis, and how old were you?
I was diagnosed in August 2015 at 27 (Stage III) and in August 2019 at 31 (Stage IV).
How did you find out you had breast cancer?
The first time I randomly felt a lump in my breast while lying in bed. I didn’t think anything of it until months later when I felt it again, only this time it was bigger. At the time, I was living in China with a few weeks left in my contract. I decided that I would get it checked out when I returned to America. Once home, I immediately made an appointment with a breast health center, then with my OB-GYN for a second opinion. Both times I was told that it wasn’t cancer. However, one day after dropping my deodorant and using my fingers to rub a piece under my arm I felt a lump in my armpit. At that moment, I knew it was cancer. I went to an oncologist, who then referred me to a surgeon who did a biopsy and finally diagnosed me with cancer. The second time, extreme pain in my tailbone prompted me to go see my PCP. I went to her because two weeks previous, I was given a clean bill of health by my oncologist and was told to come back in 6 months. However, after steroids not relieving any pain, my PCP ordered scans, which showed progression. The cancer had progressed to my bones, liver, lung, kidney, lymph nodes, and spine.
Who was the first person you confided in about your illness?
My mom was the first person I confided in. When I got the phone calls, I immediately told her the news. The first time I received the phone call, she was at work and rushed home to be with me. The second time, the doctor called around 7 pm, so we were home together. Neither one of us had much to say; she consoled me as I cried.
Tell us something about yourself that people probably don’t know?
When I was about 12/13, I was training to be a boxer. However, my career was very short-lived, lol. My interest in boxing sparked after the Holyfield vs. Tyson “Bite Fight.”
After your treatment, what do you now make time for in your day?
I take medicine every day so I’m in treatment daily, but I make time to meditate and rest. I used to think I always had to be busy or on the go; now, if I need a nap, I will take one.
What advice would you give to someone recently diagnosed?
My advice would be to research and become knowledgeable about the diagnosis. By doing those two things, I feel a person would be able to make educated decisions and not decisions solely based out of fear. I would also tell them to continue to live life and find a tribe.
What advice would you give your 16-year-old self?
I would tell my 16-year-old self to Go for the Gusto and to never dim my light.
What was the toughest challenge you faced?
The toughest challenge I faced was being re-diagnosed. For a moment, I had given up. Depression had set in, I physically started to deteriorate (I could barely walk, sit, and would sleep 2 hours at a time) and was heavily medicated. I couldn’t believe that just 3.5-4 weeks prior, I was partying in Vegas symptom-free.
When do you laugh the most?
I laugh the most when I’m authentically me. I’ve been told that I’m a pretty funny person.
If you could go back in time to any event, what would it be?
I would go back to the day my mom was born. My grandmother died when my mom was two, so I would tell her how great of a woman and mom my mom became.
If you could travel anywhere, where would it be and why?
I would go to Africa. There are about 30 places I want to see.
We have budgeted $5,000 again for the 2021 grant cycle. Follow our KAB Give Back Grants page for more information and to know when the 2021 cycle opens!