The Pine Island based organization,From Our Hearts is dedicated to aiding those who suffer from breast cancer. Among those who have benefited from this assistance is Pine Island resident, Stephanie Devois.

Now battling with breast cancer for a second time, Devois shares her story.

“I was only 38 years old when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was May 1, 2008, a date that will forever be remembered,” said Devois. “My husband and I had only been married for two and a half years and our son was just over a year old. Our new life together was just beginning, so when we received the news, it felt like our whole world was falling apart. Time seemed to stand still, like we were in a dream. It was devastating to both of us.”

Devois first discovered a lump while sleeping and instinct told her it was breast cancer.

“I hadn’t had a mammogram because I wasn’t even 40 yet and my family doesn’t have a history of breast cancer, but I could see it in the eyes of my doctor and his assistant that I was right,” Devois said. “I didn’t have health insurance at the time of my diagnosis and that worried me. But I’ve known about From Our Hearts and the service they provide, so I knew who to call for help.”

After contacting From Our Hearts, Devois was referred to Partners for Breast Cancer Care.

“To this day, I’m so appreciative and forever humbled by all of the assistance I was given,” said Devois. “They helped navigate me through the medical maze, and were there to assist me with the financial burdens as well. They made my mammogram appointment, sent me for the biopsy and even referred me to an amazing surgeon for my mastectomy.”

Following her surgery, Devois was referred to Lee Cancer Care and the Breast Cancer Navigator for Lee County. She also was placed on a Komen Grant which covered all of her chemotherapy expenses.

“If it wasn’t for all of the non-profit organizations out there that provided all of the services, I don’t know what I would have done,” she said.

Due to the fact that Devois’ lymph nodes were infected, she was prescribed a regimen of chemotherapy and after her surgery began treatment.

“I was scared to death, as I didn’t know what to expect. I imagined it was going to be like it was in the movies, being sick as a dog, losing a ton of weight, turning gray. But, it was nothing like that at all,” said Devois. “The best advice I could give to anyone getting ready to start chemotherapy is to listen to your oncology nurse, do exactly what they tell you to do and you shouldn’t get sick. Once you get past that first treatment and see how it is going to affect you, it definitely gets much easier. The worst thing that happened to me is the lack of energy towards the end. It does drain you.”

After completing eight months of chemotherapy, Devois began her new life. She said she began to reclaim her body a little at a time and each week and month that passed she began to get stronger and feeling healthy again.

“I even started back to the gym and playing racquetball,” Devois said. “The experience was difficult, but with the support from friends, family and even the Internet, it made it more bearable. I had my own cheering section, which definitely helped me to stay positive through the whole process.”

Recently fate took an ugly turn and again Devois was diagnosed with breast cancer for a second time.

“I’m going into this a little less fearful and a lot more positive and once again, my friends and family have rallied behind me and will do whatever they have to do to support me and keep my spirits up and see me though this one more time,” said Devois. “There is such a tremendous amount of research and funding out there right now, and I know they will find a cure for us. We just have to be patient and keep fighting.”

When asked why she agreed to share her story, Devois said, “I don’t believe that a lot of women are aware of the services available to people who are diagnosed with breast cancer. These services are not only for those who do not have insurance, but also for those who do. I have insurance now, but I still get at least six bills a day that are not always covered, so, once again, I am going through the process to find those organizations that can help with these financial burdens.”

Devois said that she is taking her current treatments one day at a time and does her best to maintain a positive attitude.

From Our Hearts is a non-profit, Pine Island based organization that is dedicated to helping those in the Pine Island and Cape Coral areas in need of help. Through community involvement and activities that raise funds, the group of volunteers work with Partners for Breast Cancer Care and Lee Cancer Care to provide much needed services and raise awareness about breast cancer issues. For more information about From Our Hearts, visit fromourheart.org