There’s no place like home, and for cancer survivor LaShanda Johnson, that’s Starkville. 

The mother of five and grandmother of seven returned to Starkville in May 2022 after six years living in Memphis. She had moved away after her husband, Anthony Sheehy, died of a heart attack, but felt Starkville was calling her home. 

“My kids were so happy,” said LaShanda, who was able to continue to work remotely. “They rented me a U-Haul for Mother’s Day so I could come back.”

Being surrounded by her family became even more important in June 2023 when LaShanda began her cancer journey. She was diagnosed first with stage IV lung cancer and then with a brain tumor.  

The North Mississippi Health Services Cancer Care team in Starkville have become a second family, LaShanda said. She has been able to receive chemotherapy and radiation treatments close to home. 

“When I say they are wonderful, it’s like they are like family,” LaShanda said. “They are always happy to see me.” 

From the beginning, LaShanda has relied on the depth of expertise offered by NMHS during her cancer journey. 

The first signs of trouble were fatigue and shortness of breath,” LaShanda said. “I couldn’t walk to the mailbox without giving out.” 

Realizing something was very wrong, she sought help at North Mississippi Medical Center-West Point, where the emergency department team discovered fluid in her lungs. She was transferred to NMMC-Tupelo where pulmonologist Dr. Robert Stewart and then oncologist Dr. Jiahuai Tan led her care. 

After discharge from the hospital, she received cancer treatments in Starkville, surrounded by her support system. LaShanda is able to see her Cancer Care team, including oncologist Dr. Rana Usman and radiation oncologists Dr. Benjamin Hinton and Dr. Russell Roberts, without leaving town. 

As she approaches her second anniversary as a cancer survivor, LaShanda said she’s experienced beautiful, faith-filled moments and challenges full of worry and pain. 

“I try to be strong for my children and grandchildren,” LaShanda said. 

Cancer Care social worker Lauren Thompson helped LaShanda find resources to assist her, especially to fill the gap. On medical advice, LaShanda had to stop working, and the budget was stretched very thin before her Social Security disability was approved. Assistance from the Cancer Care Fund, overseen by the Health Care Foundation of North Mississippi, provided crucial one-time assistance with a utility bill that came at the worst time. 

“It meant so much to me; you all are amazing,” LaShanda said. “If I didn’t have everybody behind me, I don’t think I’d make it.”