So You Think You Know WXII's Margaret Johnson

So You Think You Know WXII’s Margaret Johnson

by Carolyn S. Peterson

For 20 years,WXII-12 reporter and noon anchor Margaret Johnson has been a source for information on local and state news events. But in 2005, Johnson was absent from our televisions after she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Since then life has been rough around the edges at times, to say the least, but through her diagnosis, treatment, healing and return to her job at WXII-12, life for Johnson has become about sharing her story and living life to its fullest, every day.

Humble Beginnings

Growing up in Cottonton, Alabama, the 13th of 14 children, Johnson lived in a five room house. “We didn’t have indoor plumbing and very little as far as material things, but we were, and continue to be, a close family, still getting together every Thanksgiving,” recalled Johnson. The Johnson family over the years has lost three brothers, two sisters and their parents, but they continue to celebrate the love of family and their good fortune from God.

From Teacher to Reporter

Johnson thought she would probably become a teacher, but one fateful visit with her brother to the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa led her down another path. “While I was visiting with my brother, I saw a group of students from the journalism department interviewing people and having a good time and at that moment I knew I wanted to be in TV news,” stated Johnson. She later attended the same university. Over the years, the career path has not always been smooth, but Johnson has no regrets of her choice of occupations. As Johnson commented, “God gives us all a talent that we should use for the betterment of the world. We have to recognize our talent and use it to the best of our ability.” 

Defining Moments in a Life

For Johnson, being on the front lines in the coverage of news events has had an impact on her life. “Moments that stick to you and stick with you are those like the Challenger explosion and most definitely the events on September 11th; locally, seeing the devastation of tornadoes with lives torn apart, really defines you and what is important to you. In my case, hearing the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer had that same effect on me,” commented Johnson. As Johnson entered the summer of 2005, she noticed one day that she just didn’t feel well. After a visit to a local PrimeCare and the initial tests, Johnson received a call that her blood levels were elevated and she was referred to Dr. William Bray and Dr. Landon Weeks. “Over the course of a few weeks, I had additional tests, like a CT scan, but nothing was really  definitive. I eventually had an MRI, revealing what was thought to be a possible blockage in the bile duct. The next step was to take a look at the area, ’scope’ it out and then remove the  blockage, or so I thought,” said Johnson. After the procedure, Johnson recalls awaking to an apologetic Dr. Weeks telling her that what he found was not a blockage but a mass on her  pancreas. A second opinion confirmed the diagnosis and the statistics were not in Johnson’s favor, but she had never bought into the statistics of man. “They told me that I had  between 5% and 30% chance of survival. I knew there was nothing I could do about the diagnosis, except what I was taught as a child, turn it over to God. In Sunday school, I learned of the miracles of Lazarus and I knew God was still in the miracle business. I put my trust in Him and in my healing,” stated Johnson. Surgery was scheduled, the Whipple  procedure, which removes the patient’s pancreas, gallbladder, spleen, half the stomach and some of the  intestines. Due to the removal of the pancreas, Johnson  immediately became a diabetic, now with an insulin pump. However the cancer had not spread to the lymph nodes. Radiation and chemotherapy followed. Johnson said that it was very hard on her then 7 year old daughter, Allyson, to see her mom battling cancer. But Johnson’s husband, Ron, cared for Allyson and her concerns as well as Johnson’s needs.

Family, church members and co-workers rallied around Johnson, some expecting the worse. “I know people visited me to see how close to death I was, but I prayed for healing and I claimed it,” stated Johnson. One source of support was former WXII-12 anchor Denise Franklin, who visited Johnson almost every day. As their friendship grew, the two women produced a DVD, ’Modern Day Miracles,’ initially sharing stories of fellow church members who have experienced miracles. Since then, the women have made two more of the ’miracle’ DVDs.

Another Battle Ahead

In 2006, Johnson was again not feeling her best and went in for a few tests and was found to have thyroid cancer, resulting in its removal. “Don’t misunderstand me. It is all good. I look at the glass as half full. I choose to live life to its fullest each and every day, because we aren’t promised our next breath,” commented Johnson. A symbol of her belief that life is precious is the flower pens that she has on set and in the field.

“When I returned to work a co-worker at the time, Nicole Jacobs, presented me with a bouquet of flower pens to say ’Welcome Back.’ Now I have a lady that watches from Virginia who makes me pens and sends them to me every so often. Those pens remind me to take time to smell the flowers,” said Johnson. Maybe we all need a flower pen?