DETROIT – Longtime WDIV sports reporter Jamie Edmonds revealed Monday morning that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
“I think I will get through this,” Jamie said on WJR. “I cannot wake up in the morning with you guys for the next couple months. ... I could have privately gone through this and just done it on my own, but I think the support that I’ve gotten from the breast cancer community and watching other women go through it has immensely helped me to get to this point where I can talk about it. So I’ve decided I want to talk about it and maybe help others.”
Jamie has been part of the Local 4 sports team since January 2013, working as both an anchor and a reporter.
She revealed her breast cancer diagnosis Monday morning on WJR, where she anchors in the mornings.
“Once you get the diagnosis, it is a dark, dark time,” Jamie said. “It is scary. It’s dark. You’re going through the motions of life. You still have to go to Kroger and get eggs. You still have to pick up your daughter from daycare, but it’s like you’re a ghost, and you can’t focus on anything. How did I get out of that? It’s by talking to other people.”
She has already had six chemotherapy sessions. She has 16 treatments over 20 weeks. She said she had a clean mammogram in July, but felt something that wasn’t right about six months later.
“You have to take that seriously,” Jamie said. “If you don’t do self breast exams, you should.”
Jamie’s broadcasting career includes two Michigan Association of Broadcasters “best sportscast” awards. She’s also been nominated twice for Michigan Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sports Media Association.
Here’s what Jamie posted on Instagram:
For two decades on TV and radio, I’ve told other people’s stories. Today, I think it’s time I tell my own.
Two months ago, I got the call that changed my life: ‘your biopsy came back. It’s positive for breast cancer.’
After the initial shock wore off, I got really scared. Would I be around to see my young daughter grow up? Would the doctors be able to cure me? Why did this happen in the first place? I have no family history.
While many questions remain, I have full faith in my team @henryfordhealth and I truly believe I will come out on the other side.
My family, my friends and my faith helped me get to a better place and out of those dark thoughts. You know what else gave my hope? Hearing from the women who’ve been through it. I didn’t know this, but there is a network of survivors who band together to help the newest members of the club. Strangers called and texted me. It was beautiful. I also consumed a lot of social media content of women with my same diagnosis. If they can do it, I can do it.
So, if I can share my story and help others as I’ve been helped, then that’s what I plan to do.
Stay tuned.
Thank you for your support and prayers.
Jamie Edmonds on Instagram