On August 30, 2014 the pain was so severe that her fiancée insisted on getting her to Methodist Willowbrook ER. ER doctors ran tests and discovered a quarter-sized mass in Stephanie’s brain. After being urgently transferred to Methodist Medical Center to meet with a team of doctors they determined surgery was inevitable. On September 9, at age 43, Stephanie was diagnosed with Stage 4 Glioblastoma, one of the most threatening tumors known. Immediately after surgery and within 10 days, Stephanie started her cancer treatment with Dr. Butler. After seeking a second opinion at MD Anderson, she has a new team of doctors lead by Dr. Penas Prado. She is currently undergoing indefinite monthly rounds of chemotherapy to keep it at bay.
Stephanie is as determined as anything to beat this despite research results. The key will be each day as she looks into the eyes of her little girls and is reminded all that she has to live for.