Carol DiStefano

As many of you already know, last Spring, Carol was diagnosed with breast cancer and began her brave and courageous fight with the love and support of all of her family and friends.  She was initially reluctant to create this page for many reasons, but there really was no need for it because Carol did not allow 18 long weeks, 6 treatments (each consisting of approximately 10 hours with 4 different chemotherapy medications) and all of the emotional and physical side effects of this cancer slow her down at all.  She maintained her bright and cheerful outlook the entire time and was perfectly able to keep her friends and family updated.  She often jumped up off the couch to answer the door and greet many visitors, offering them something to eat or drink when they were usually the ones bringing her the meals.   She faced this treatment with an attitude like no other and  she somehow actually squeezed in a 3 day vacation to Vegas to visit Lauren and Mike, spent 2 weekends in Flagstaff,  and 2 weekends in Greer with dear friends and family.  Even when she had to stay in town, she could frequently be found out dining or seeing a movie with friends and family.   She initially hoped to schedule her chemotherapy on Fridays which are her day off so she would not have to miss work, but she settled for Thursday and was still able to work part -time.  The kindness, generosity, and outpouring of love, support, thoughts, prayers, and meals was nothing less than would be expected for such an amazing woman.     

Carol's fight is not over yet, and she still has a long road ahead of her but is facing it with admirable bravery and courage.  

She will be having a big surgery consisting of a double mastectomy tomorrow, August 24th and will face an extensive recovery period over the weeks and months to follow.  She will also continue to receive 1 of her therapy drugs every 3 weeks over the next year.  She is only allowing this surgery to knock her off of her therapy schedule.  Once her body is strong enough and recovers from this surgery, Carol will begin a series of extensive radiation and will likely not let any of that slow her down or dim her sunny and bright outlook.