Stephanie Stork Crump is a Moss Point native and the chief financial officer for Knight Abbey Commercial Printing and Direct Mail. She and her husband, Doug Crump, have lived in the Hurley area for over 23 years and share two girls, Anna Grace and Brooxanne.
MY HEALTH CHALLENGE
I went in for my annual mammogram, and something was detected. My doctor called me and said he wanted me to have an ultrasound. That (test) confirmed there was something to be alarmed about, and I went to have a biopsy done.
Oct. 30, 2023, was the day I heard those four words that changed my life: “You have breast cancer.” The diagnosis was triple negative breast cancer, stage 1b — a very aggressive form of breast cancer.
MY APPROACH
My approach, after hearing the news and having time to process it, was that I was going to beat it; it was not going to beat me. I kept that mindset through the whole process of chemo, surgery and recovery.
MY TREATMENT
Dr. Bailey (my surgeon) and Dr. Washington (my oncologist) said from day one that yes, it was aggressive, but that’s OK because we would be just as aggressive. I received my diagnosis on Oct. 30, and by Nov. 9, I’d had all the tests I’d needed. I’d also had my chemo port surgically placed and started chemo on Nov. 13.
THE HARDEST PART
Hearing those four words, “You have breast cancer,” is life changing and indescribable. The hardest part was telling our two girls. It also was hard having to shave my head after the second chemo treatment when it was falling out by the handful.
The most rewarding part was getting to ring that bell and know that I’d done it” with God’s Grace and guidance — and lots of prayers.
WHAT LIFE IS LIKE NOW
I have now graduated to six-month checkups with Dr. Washington, and all has been good. After having a double mastectomy in May 2024 and completing 16 rounds of chemo, I did get a clear pathology report with no sign of cancer.
Everything is mostly normal, but going through something like that is life changing and makes you view things differently. I believe all things considered, I have adjusted well
The biggest decision was deciding, for me, to do the double mastectomy rather than a lumpectomy. I knew deep down that was the best decision for me and my peace of mind. With a lumpectomy, I would have had to complete six to eight weeks of radiation five days a week.
MY ADVICE TO OTHERS
I strongly encourage all women to be disciplined with their self-care, and I will ask anyone who will listen whether they’ve had their annual checkups and mammograms.
If you are going through a health challenge, just know you are not alone; it is OK to have all kinds of emotions. You can be shocked, mad, scared, heartbroken, devastated and questioning everything. You want to scream at times, and that is OK. Feel all those emotions, then get into a good mindset where you know that you can do this.
I am always available to talk to anyone who needs a listening ear as someone who has been there. I and three other survivors from Hurley, who all went through this journey around the same time, are in the process of starting a support group for survivors and anyone starting their cancer journey so we can help answer questions or meet any needs. We are very excited about playing a small role in someone else’s journey in any way that we can be helpful.