Encouraging Words From a Survivor

A breast cancer diagnosis is a life-changing event. Just ask Stephanie Spiesz. The now 50-year-old North Ridgeville wife and mother of four was diagnosed in November 2013. Fully recovered and cancer- free today, Stephanie says her diagnosis turned her life 180 degrees — in a good way!

She knew she had lumps in her left breast, but wasn’t concerned. Her husband felt differently and encouraged her to see her doctor. Fortunately, she did. Within days she had a checkup, followed by a mammogram and then a biopsy, the results of which showed breast cancer.

Stephanie was referred to the Breast Center at Cleveland Clinic Strongsville Family Health and Surgery Center for follow-up care. There, she met with her multidisciplinary breast cancer team of physicians, including breast surgeon Stephanie Valente, DO; radiation oncologist Andrew Vassil, MD; and medical oncologist Drew Abramovich, MD.

Her surgery, a double mastectomy at Cleveland Clinic’s main campus, was the only part of her treatment not provided in Strongsville. “The morning of my surgery was one of those bitter cold days, when weather people were saying not to go out. But my entire care team showed up, and the surgery was as smooth as could be. In less than 24 hours, I was discharged,” says Stephanie.

“Before my diagnosis, no one ever told me to rest. Once I was sick, everyone told me to rest, and I eventually listened."

Within weeks of surgery, Stephanie began chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy, both of which she could conveniently complete at Strongsville.

Always very active, working as a property manager for family-owned buildings and spending time with her kids, a typical day for Stephanie was nonstop from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m. But once she started chemotherapy, she had to take it easy.

“I had to slow down,” she says. “Before my diagnosis, no one ever told me to rest. Once I was sick, everyone told me to rest, and I eventually listened. We sold our properties, and now my life is much simpler.”

Looking back, Stephanie feels her breast cancer diagnosis changed her life in only positive ways. And she wants to offer advice and hope to others going through a difficult diagnosis and treatment.

“Find one person — a spouse, sister or friend — to be there with you, to ride the waves with you and not let go,” she says. “Get plenty of rest. Eat good food. Be honest when people ask how you are doing — they’ll pray for you, or make a meal or help with the laundry. Most importantly, know that the saying ‘time heals all wounds’ is very true.”