On February 14, 2022, Tiffany Johnson received news she never expected: she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Suffice it to say, it was not the Valentine's Day she was planning for. In the blink of an eye, Tiffany’s entire world shifted. 

By then, Tiffany was a top real estate agent and a team leader, closing over $15 million annually. But suddenly, her health stepped into the foreground. Overcoming a sudden cancer diagnosis became priority #1.

The doctors initially thought Tiffany could have one surgery and be home free, but that’s not how things played out. After her first surgery, she was informed she needed a radical hysterectomy; she would lose the ability to have children.

“The doctor was confident it would heal me. I was in the hospital for three days, and I had six to eight weeks of recovery ahead of me,” Tiffany reflects. “They called me a week later. They said, ‘Tiffany, we are still seeing traces of cancer, and we need to do chemo and radiation.’ I just about lost my mind. I had lost my mom to breast cancer seven years prior, and I witnessed the pain of chemo and radiation. Ultimately, it took her life after a seven-year battle. It's not good stuff, but that was my only option.”

By all accounts, Tiffany was healthy prior to her diagnosis, but now she was faced with a new reality: chemo and radiation five days a week.

The next few months were tremendously difficult, but Tiffany found a way to persevere with toughness and grace. She began implementing holistic health solutions into her life, shifting everything from her diet to her mindset to her relationship with God. She began relying on her real estate team more, too.

“I needed to lean on them. I needed a lot more support,” she says humbly. “And just like that, my whole year changed.”

A year later, Tiffany is clear of cancer. While 2022 was tremendously difficult in many ways, it also brought several blessings into Tiffany’s life. In business, she has learned to delegate and rely on her team more. Personally, she’s strengthened her faith, improved her overall health, and reduced stress.

“Through this, I realized I can delegate. I can step back and take on a coaching role. I have a team that can support me. My whole business changed, and we had the best year yet — $17 million. 2022 was my best year ever,” Tiffany says proudly.

“Personally, I’ve changed a lot, too. I don't let stuff stress me out anymore. I used to stress a ton and worry a lot. Now, I go with the flow. I’m just happy to be feeling good. The sky is bluer because I have my days back. It started in February, and I finished chemo in mid-August. My life was on hold that whole time. Now, I’m so grateful for everything — to go out to dinner, to go to sporting events, and to be able to run my business. It's a second chance. I’m eating better, drinking more water. I'm trying to give my body the best chance to go through this.”

Tiffany is excited to have the chance to look ahead. Just a year ago, she had no idea what the future might hold. In 2023, she’s committed to staying balanced, focusing on her health, and leaning into the team real estate sales model. Her team has grown to six agents, and she’s stepped into more of a managerial and coaching role. She’s looking to continue growing her business while valuing herself.

“Now I'm putting more importance on myself. I have my dream home. I want a horse and some chickens. I'm trying not to work 70 or 80 hours a week and focus on myself more. I didn't do that before. I wasn't taking care of myself.”

Tiffany is particularly grateful for her family. Her boyfriend, Luke, has been by her side throughout her journey, as have her aunt and father. Tiffany’s aunt, Lynn, stepped into her late mother’s role and attended every doctor's appointment and treatment. Her dad was also there every step of the way, often waiting outside doctor’s appointments to greet her with support (due to COVID restrictions). In the past, she’s not been a super spiritual person, but she’s taken to prayer, too. She calls on her mother’s guidance regularly, asking her for help navigating difficult times.

“Every day, I journaled and did yoga and talked to God and my mom, and I wasn’t that person before. Now, I have a stronger faith. I believe they were there with me through this,” Tiffany says.

“My advice to others would be this: Make time for yourself. That’s what’s most important. And make sure you are continuing to go to the doctor. I looked and felt healthy, but if I didn't go to the doctor for my normal check-up, it'd be way worse. I am so grateful for my life right now.”

Tiffany Johnson is a top 100 Tulsa REALTOR® and a Tulsa native. She holds a business degree from the University of Central Oklahoma, where she also competed as an NCAA basketball player.