Stephanie DeYoung

Well damn...sorry you are here. :S


I want this page to serve as a way to keep you updated but also to inspire. This is a journey I never want to be on but want to share and be open with others. It starts like many breast cancer stories do, I found a lump. I found a lump but didn't think much of it because I had just stopped nursing and who am I kidding, I'm 33. The lump grew quick. I had an appointment with my OBGYN and mentioned it to her. She said some words and then said you are going over for an ultrasound. During my first ultrasound I just knew. Women get those gut feelings and teachers have even stronger gut feelings. I was referred for a second ultrasound with a guided core needle biopsy. Yes, it was as terrible as it sounds. Within a few days (which were complete blurs) it was determined it was in fact cancerous. I was diagnosed with believed to be stage 3 invasive ductal carcinoma. I hadn't invited Jon to any of these appointments because there was no need to worry right?! Well, I went back to school after my core needle biopsy and sobbed real big to my boss. Jenn, you will forever hold a special place in my heart on this journey.  My stage 3 diagnosis was confirmed a week or so later when it was determined that the cancer is in fact also in my lymph nodes. Turns out, you do need those weird node things. 


Things began to happen very quickly after that ugly day. I met with my entire care team and it was determined that 6 rounds of intense chemo would be done and then a double mastectomy with lymph node dissection and radiation. 


I will post updates as frequently as I'm feeling the need to type my sob story. Love you all!