Allison Johnson’s wedding plans sidelined by devastating Stage 3 breast cancer diagnosis
Mr. and Mrs. Jason and Allison Johnson wed Saturday, July 24, 2021 after a devastating breast cancer diagnosis in 2018 threatened to end their lives together before it began. (Photo courtesy of Allison Johnson/Bridal Bliss Photography)
Georgia native Allison Parker Johnson, a vibrant young woman, full of life, had the whole world at her fingertips at the age of 33. She had her dream job and everything perfectly planned for her Saturday, July 14, 2018, wedding with her childhood sweetheart, Jason Johnson. Amidst the joy and anticipation of their new life together, the unimaginable happened – a routine doctor's visit unveiled that she had stage 3 breast cancer.
Though Allison had experienced pain in her left breast and unusual fatigue, there were no other symptoms present. Since she was too young for regular screenings and had no family history, the thought of having the Big C never entered her mind.
The news shook Allison and her family to the core. They were strong believers in the healing power of Jesus Christ and immediately began praying. “How could this happen in the middle of preparing for the most memorable event in my life?” Allison asked God. “Why me?”
Allison’s parents, Paul and Geraldine Parker, who have been married 35 years, organized a prayer circle and rallied supporters around their daughter. “We believe that the ultimate cure for any disease is our faith in Christ’s healing power,” said Geraldine in a phone chat with EEW Magazine Online. “We held fast to our faith in critical moments. It wasn’t easy, but we kept believing God.
Allison’s parents stood by her throughout the whole ordeal, upholding her and supporting her. (Photo courtesy of Allison Johnson)
For a season, despite having strong faith and an incredible support system, Allison fell into depression, feeling sorry for herself. She wasn’t sure how to deal with everything now that she was forced to face an entirely different journey – one that represented a battle between life and death. Instead of searching for her dream wedding dress, Allison found herself scheduling appointments with oncologists and surgeons.
“It was a whirlwind, and I couldn’t believe this was my life,” she told EEW Magazine Online. “No one in my immediate family had ever been through it before, so I felt alone and sad.”
As she stared into the mirror one morning, examining her reflection with mixed feelings of fear and determination, she realized that this was not a challenge she could conquer alone. Allison determined that she would lean on God as never before.
“God gave me peace on my hardest days and really used Jason to hold me up,” she recalled. According to Allison, her sweet and gentle-natured fiancé, who had already witnessed the strength Allison always embodied, stood by her side unwaveringly.
Cancer held no power over their love. They made tough decisions together, navigating treatment options and surgeries as a united front. Allison faced chemotherapy sessions head-on amidst hair loss and an overwhelming exhaustion that took its toll on her body. “Some days when I looked at myself, I couldn’t recognize me. I felt like I wouldn’t make it when I was at my sickest,” she said.
Without fail, however, Jason showed up with a bouquet of sunflowers during every treatment – a sign of hope reminding Allison how brightly her light could still shine even during her darkest hours.
The weeks turned into months as Allison spent her days in hospital rooms instead of prepping for their upcoming nuptials. It seemed as if all hope was lost, but every time she saw those sunflowers, Allison reminded herself that she had so much to fight for.
Miraculously, after months of unfaltering commitment to love, faith, and perseverance, Allison’s prayer, dedication to God, and belief in His promises began to pay off. The aggressive stage 3 breast cancer cells slowly began to disappear from her body until eventually medical tests confirmed that Allison was cancer-free. “The day I got the news after all the hard days and set backs, I cried a whole ocean of tears,” she said. “They were tears of extreme joy. God had carried me through it!”
Allison and Jason’s rings (Photo courtesy of Allison Johnson/Bridal Bliss Photography)
The battle with cancer left a mark on her life but becoming a survivor added new and vibrant colors to her and Jason's love story. The wedding, once pushed aside for treatment plans, was now the celebration they had fought so hard for.
On Saturday, July 24, 2021, in a packed Georgia church sanctuary, Allison walked down the aisle glowing in front of family and friends. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house. The sunflower bouquet in her hands symbolized not only the warm support of loved ones but also all she had overcome – the testament to her unwavering strength and resilience.
Allison’s sunflower bouquet (Courtesy of Allison Johnson/Bridal Bliss Photography)
Allison's journey as a breast cancer survivor transcended the bounds of facing a life-threatening disease. It taught her about the power of faith, the reality of healing, love, strength, hope, and support that would envelop her for the rest of her life. Today, when she looks back at her battle against cancer, Allison sees more than just survival – she sees a beautiful story stained with tears and laughter, pain, and joy that has indelibly changed her life forever.
Now the happy couple is entering a new phase - parenting! She and Jason are expecting their first child, a daughter, due in January.
