Meet Deztanity Williams | Breast Cancer Survivor & Content Creator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Deztanity Williams and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Deztanity, the decisions we make often shape our story in profound ways. What was one of the most difficult decisions you’ve had to make?
The most difficult decision of my life was deciding how to tell my 5 year old son, husband, and the rest of my family that I had been diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer only 3 days after my grandmother’s funeral. She passed away from lukemia lymphoma.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a lifestyle content creator, I started sharing fashion and beauty tutorials on Instagram and Youtube as a hobby while still working a 9-5 job back in 2016. I have always enjoyed sharing my perspective on the world in hopes to help others but in 2022 sharing my experiences being diagnosed with breast cancer became my outlet to process my own trauma while helping others. I never knew the impact I would have or the community I would grow but God had it planned from the very beginning. I shared every aspect of my journey openly and honestly. From frustrations with my initial diagnosis and how I felt let down by my healthcare providers who brushed off my initial concerns with the open wound on my breast as an injury that went untreated for over a year until a tumor grew in my right breat the size of a grapefruit. Then starting chemotherapy, losing my hair, feeling scared and sad but still finding faith to carry on. I had a single mastectomy removing my right breast and navigating how to feel like a woman when I wasn’t whole. I shared every aspect of my journey through TikTok and I found a community of women that could truly relate to my experiences and support me while I supported them as well. I am so proud of where I am today, living and breathing, and I am so excited for the future. I continue to share my daily experiences, follow-up appointments, and navigating how to find my way after breast cancer. I am excited for what the future holds for my life and career.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love to have a good time, most of my friends would say I’m the life of the party. I love a good kick back at my house I’m a pretty great hostess. But if the girls want to go outside we can definitely do that as well. I always opt for a restaurant and bar experience because a good time can’t be had without good food. I have recently went to the Refinery, Continental Drift, Jack Browns, and Urban Parc just to name a few good spots in Birmingham, Alabama. My favorite drinks at the moment are a good Lemon Drop with tequila or a Paloma. After a good meal and cocktail we cn always come back to my house to play cards, board games, and have more personal conversations. That’s my idea of a good time.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would love to dedicate this shoutout to my amazingly supportive husband John Williams, all of my friends, and all the other brown and black women that have been on this journey with me humbly called the “Dream Team”. Because of the love, support, and encouragement I have recieved I am still alive today, I will be forever grateful.

Website: https://www.tiktok.com/@deztanity

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deztanity/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Deztanity

Other: https://beacons.ai/deztanity