CLEVELAND — It's in the simple moments that Stephanie Rifici Thorkelson feels most grateful.
"Our whole journey is truly a miracle," she said.
While nursing her son Luka back in the summer of 2020, Stephanie noticed a lump in her breast. She assumed it was a clogged duct and went on for months before visiting a doctor.
On September 11, 2020, Stephanie was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer. As a 33-year-old healthy woman, the news was shocking.
"It was really surreal because I don't have any history of breast cancer in my family," she told us.
Getting a cancer diagnosis is one thing, but no one expected what news would come days later.
"I got a phone call. 'Yes, you do have breast cancer.' And in the mix, I had also found out I was pregnant then that same week," Stephanie told us.
Stephanie's husband, Evan Thorkelson, says there were excruciating talks that followed.
"It's that delicate line you're walking when you're dealing with the life of the mother and also the life of the baby," Evan said.
But Stephanie and Evan stayed positive. That's because, a miracle was on its way.
"The doctors got together and had a plan for us, you know, that made us feel really good that. We, you know, might be able to keep the baby and still get the treatment," Evan said.
At Cleveland Clinic, Stephanie first had a lumpectomy, then during her second trimester, she started chemotherapy, while carrying her son Leo.
Then in April 2021, Leo was born. A true miracle baby. She says friends and family got her through.
"I don't even know if I can put it into words," Stephanie said. "I'm so grateful for my team of doctors for devising this plan. And that saved me, and that saved my son. And now we're here today to be able to share our story and be able to tell people that, 'Hey, there are options for you and I truly want you to explore your options to fight for what you want."
She's a mother of two, a survivor, and now an advocate for other breast cancer warriors.
"She is such a strong, beautiful woman. I take my inspiration from her, seeing her go through this, you know, cancer pregnancy pandemic, you know, at the same time. And, she did that and, you know, there were tough times no doubt. But, you know, she persevered and that's what's so amazing about her," Evan said.
Today, Stephanie is cancer free. She has to get scans every six months, but otherwise, she's doing great. Oh, and Leo is happy and healthy, too.
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