Princess Jones was scared when she was diagnosed with breast cancer – but the team at Regional One Health Cancer Care quickly put her mind at ease.
Breast surgical oncologist Ashley Hendrix, MD, FACS and her team provided expert care and all the support Princess needed.
Now, she’s back to teaching preschool, going to church, and spending time with her family – and she’s grateful for the care that got her there.
After having breast cancer surgery, Princess Jones had to be a little more careful when she went to work teaching preschool.
“I had to learn that my body is different!” she said. “I can’t lift the babies as much anymore, and I had to show them where I was a little tender, because otherwise they’d charge right at me to give me hugs!”
But she’s there taking care of the kids she loves.
She’s still getting those sweet hugs.
And she’s still got the positive energy that helped her survive a cancer diagnosis with her spirit and sense of humor intact.
Princess is grateful to Regional One Health Cancer Care breast surgical oncologist Ashley Hendrix, MD, FACS for her role in all of those things.
Princess was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2025. “I’ll never forget it,” she said. “I had gone to get my mammogram, and they asked me to come back for an ultrasound. Then after that, they asked me to come back for a biopsy.”
She scheduled the test, but canceled when she started to feel overwhelmed with worry. Princess’s mom convinced her to reschedule, and was by her daughter’s side when they got the news neither wanted to hear.
Ashley Hendrix, MD, FACS, breast surgical oncologist with Regional One Health Cancer Care, explained Princess’s treatment plan clearly and put her mind at ease prior to surgery.
But Princess’s fear would turn to confidence once she met her medical team.
As an academic surgeon in partnership with University of Tennessee Health Science Center and a specialist in breast cancer, Dr. Hendrix has the experience and expertise to offer patients personalized treatment plans based on the latest surgical techniques.
“It was the first time I had been to Regional One Health as a patient and my first impression was great,” Princess said. “I’ve worked in customer service, so that’s something that’s important to me. I only had to wait a little while, and everyone was friendly and answered all my questions.”
The positive impression grew when she met Dr. Hendrix.
“She wrote everything down for me, and I loved that,” Princess said. “In a situation like that, you’re thinking, ‘breast cancer, breast cancer, breast cancer.’ You’re so in the moment. I heard some of what she was saying, but some of it I didn’t hear.”
When it was time for surgery, Princess wasn’t nervous. Her mom remained by her side, and she had full trust in Dr. Hendrix and her team.
“The way Dr. Hendrix explained everything clearly and communicated with me made me feel comfortable. One of my nurses was a breast cancer survivor, so she understood me,” Princess said. “I’m so grateful for my medical team. They made me feel comfortable allowing them to care for me, and they were empathetic and supportive.”
The team even gave Princess a care package that included a scarf she loves to wear. “When I wear it, it makes me feel like they’re with me,” she said.
Princess also accessed genetic testing through Regional One Health Cancer Care. She learned she does not have genetic mutations associated with breast cancer, which gave her peace of mind and helped raise awareness for her loved ones.
Princess says Dr. Hendrix’s entire team provided excellent care. “Dr. Hendrix is A-plus awesome! She’s sweet, helpful, and she knows her stuff. She has a caring heart for what she does.”
“It opened up new conversations for my family,” she said. “I had no idea how many family members had cancer – not only breast cancer, but other types of cancer.”
Now cancer free after a successful surgery and radiation treatment, Princess is back at work and focused on staying healthy and active. Regional One Health Cancer Care connected her with a nutritionist and stress management resources, and she has plenty of support from her family, friends, sorority sisters, and church.
While a cancer diagnosis is a test Princess hopes she never has to repeat, the longtime educator is quick to give her doctor the highest mark.
“Dr. Hendrix is A-plus awesome!” she said. “She’s sweet, helpful, and she knows her stuff. She has a caring heart for what she does.”
“I’m so glad I went to Regional One Health, and I’m so grateful to them,” Princess added. “I couldn’t have had a better team – it was a wonderful experience in an unfortunate situation.”