OCTOBER 2019 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 41
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
STACY MIRANDA
A THRIVING SURVIVOR
BY SHERYL NANCE-NASH
Sometimes, after a wicked storm,
a rainbow appears. Stacy Miranda
knows that firsthand. Six years ago
she was battling invasive ductal carcinoma,
triple positive breast cancer,
an aggressive, fast-growing form of
the disease. Today, she’s living her
best life.
Miranda was 34 when she discovered
a lump on her breast and brought it
to the attention of her doctor. That
was the beginning of a journey that
included radiation, chemotherapy,
Herceptin infusions, and three
surgeries.
“Chemo hit me really hard, to the
point that I was barely leaving the
house and was dependent on others
for even the simplest of daily tasks,”
says Miranda, 40, who lives in Long
Beach.
Her life was upside down. By the
time she recovered from a second
surgery, more than a year had
passed and she was able to return
to work, says the teacher at North
Shore Middle School in Glen Head.
Six months later, she was out of
work again for a revision surgery.
But, with gratitude, she says, “This
past June, I celebrated my five-year
cancer-free mark, which I call my
‘rebirth.’”
The metamorphosis was painful.
“At times, I have felt isolated and
stripped of my youth, femininity,
self-worth, and innocence of good
health,” she says. “Just as with most
cancer patients, I have had my share
of dark days. I was a single woman
without children.”
Overall, she remained positive and
grateful.
“Cancer has been one of my greatest
teachers in life,” she adds. “While it
doesn’t define me, it has certainly
played a major role in molding me
into the woman I am. I feel very lucky
to be where I am today.”
Stacy Miranda climbed to the top of Mount Adams after beating breast
cancer.
While being out of work did eventually
make finances tight, she was fortunate
to have support from friends
and family, as well as extremely good
health insurance. Miranda turned to
organizations that help breast cancer
patients.
What sustained her during the most
difficult period of her life?
“I tried everything I possibly could,”
she recalls. ”You name it, I probably
tried it. Every stage of the journey
required different coping mechanisms
and means of support. I think
a healthy mindset is always key,
though.
“It basically came down to gratitude
and acceptance,” she continues. “That
helped me stay positive and keep the
faith that it was a temporary hardship
that would lead to good things
later on.”
When she was overwhelmed, she
went into therapy and leaned on her
support network. Physical therapy
was also helpful both mentally and
physically.
“I went to the only breast cancer
physical therapy program on Long
Island, Full Circle Physical Therapy,”
she says.
To be sure, after the storm there is
a rainbow. Although she has some
residual side effects from treatment
from her current medication, she’s
now in very good health. Now, she
says, “I am unapologetically myself,
living from my heart, and committed
to living life to the fullest.”
Living as a cancer survivor presents
challenges, but it can create
opportunities. Miranda is involved
in two nonprofit organizations: First
Descents, a group providing adventure
trips for young adults impacted
by cancer, and Climb For Hope, an
organization that raises money for
breast cancer and multiple sclerosis
research through adventure
challenges.
Through all her adventures, such as
whitewater kayaking, rock climbing,
hiking and mountaineering, she
has a new sense of empowerment.
She has also shared her cancer
story through public speaking
engagements.
“If simply by sharing my experiences
I can help others, I am honored to do
so,” she says. “Giving back while also
challenging myself has been so very
purposeful and healing.”
Miranda says her first fundraising
adventure challenge was climbing
the summit of Mount Adams in
Washington.
“When I reached that summit, I
cried out in astonishment that my
mind and body could achieve such
a feat,” she recalls. “From climbing
the mountains of breast cancer to
the mountains of the Earth. I went
from barely being able to walk
down the block to climbing the
second highest peak in the Pacific
Northwest!”
BREAST CANCER
SEMINARS
HIGHLIGHT
PREVENTION
Northwell Health will host two
breast cancer-related seminars in
the Huntington area in October.
The first event is for women to
learn more about their risk of
breast cancer as well as ways to
prevent, screen and treat this
disease. The event will be held
at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 23 at at the
Dolan Family Health Center in
Greenlawn.
At the second event, women who
have breast cancer and are thinking
about breast reconstruction
surgery can learn about available
options, including 3D microsurgery,
robotic mastectomy and
lymphatic reconstruction from
a panel of experts and breast reconstruction
patients. The event
will take place at 10 a.m. on Oct. 26
at the Huntington Country Club.
“I went from barely being able to walk down the
block to climbing the second highest peak in
the Pacific Northwest,” says Stacy Miranda.
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