Jessica Phelps

Photographer

Facing Cancer Head On

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Location: Columbus, Ohio

Nationality: American

Biography: For years I was a professional vagabond â€”passing time in the Italian Alps on a goat farm, hanging with kids in Chile, and crossing borders from Costa Rica to Nicaragua. During those years, I was constantly meeting people,... MORE

It's two weeks and one day...r new treatment plan.

It's two weeks and one day after her mastectomy, and the discovery that the cancer spread to her lymph nodes. Stacey went back to Columbus to talk with Dr. Lilly about her new treatment plan.

It's the evening before he...ighter after praying.

It's the evening before her surgery and Stacey Heath is surrounded by loved ones; her pastor and his wife, her parents and her husband. They gather in prayer for her safe recovery, for the doctors, for her children. Tears are shed, tensions released and the atmosphere in the room seems lighter after praying.

Just before bed, Anna Kate beco...ions for the morning.

Just before bed, Anna Kate becomes anxious and breaks down. She runs to her mom, begging her not to leave in the morning. Stacey holds her close telling her everything will be fine and that she loves her very much. Once Anna Kate's tears stop, her parents and grandparents get her to bed and finish preparations for the morning.

Plastic surgeon, Dr. Tiwari che...y's lymph nodes.

Plastic surgeon, Dr. Tiwari checks Stacey's heartbeat as she slowly comes out of the anesthesia. Stacey's mastectomy and reconstructive surgery lasted about six hours. In that time, Darin never left the hospital, waiting anxiously for any update from the doctors. The world crashed around him when Dr. Lilly informed him the cancer had in fact spread to Stacey's lymph nodes.

A couple hours after surgery, S...er recovery would be.

A couple hours after surgery, Stacey is still in and out of consciousness, but is awake enough to hear the unexpected bad news: her breast cancer has spread to her lymph nodes and she will need chemo and radiation. Darin was also struggling with the news, knowing how much it would upset Stacey, and how much longer her recovery would be.

Stacey took her second walk thr... to encourage Stacey.

Stacey took her second walk through the hospital hallways when her family came to visit. As she neared her room, Darin and Noah ran ahead to hold a finish line up to encourage Stacey.

Four days after her mastectomy,... Stacey wanted to be.

Four days after her mastectomy, Stacey was released from the hospital and taken home. Walking was still difficult. She still had four drains and plenty of swelling, but home with family is exactly where Stacey wanted to be.

Four days after her mastectomy,...nd took care of her.

Four days after her mastectomy, Stacey was released from the hospital. On the drive home, one of her drains slipped out. Stacey collapsed on the couch, exhausted and in pain while her mom and husband took care of her.

After Dr. Lilly left the exam r...he cancer had spread.

After Dr. Lilly left the exam room, Stacey began to cry. She had just received the news her breast cancer was a more aggressive form of cancer, but one that was easy to treat. Her tears were tears of joy mixed with exhaustion. This was the news they had been hoping for since the devastating news the cancer had spread.

Three weeks after her mastectom...here to support them.

Three weeks after her mastectomy, Stacey Heath forced herself downtown to cheer on Pelotonia riders. Many friends told Stacey they were riding for her, and she wanted to be there to support them.

Anna Kate has had a hard time ...y has cancer," she said.Â

Anna Kate has had a hard time with her mom's cancer diagnosis and treatment. After a particularly trying morning, Stacey spent the afternoon cleaning her daughter's room and worrying about the effect her cancer is having on the family. "When one person has cancer, it's like the whole family has cancer," she said.Â

Since Stacey's breast can...ows together in between naps.Â

Since Stacey's breast cancer diagnosis, her daughter Anna Kate has stayed closer to her mom. They spent this lazy day off in bed watching TV shows together in between naps.Â

Before beginning her first che...he and Darin watch the video.Â

Before beginning her first chemotherapy treatment, Stacey watches a video about a shot she will receive afterwards and the potential side effects. Stacey was already nervous to begin her chemotherapy and becomes emotional as she and Darin watch the video.Â

Stacey Heath spends time with ...hat her doctors had told her.Â

Stacey Heath spends time with her cat, Bob. When clumps of hair began to fall out, Stacey called on her friend to help her cut off her hair. It was 14 days after her first chemotherapy treatment and right on schedule with what her doctors had told her.Â

To keep her nausea at bay, Sta...egiment of anti-nausea pills.Â

To keep her nausea at bay, Stacey is on a strict regiment of anti-nausea pills.Â

After a few days of buzzed hai...ive and keep her perspective.Â

After a few days of buzzed hair, Stacey decided to shave the rest of her head to stop the small hairs from slowly falling out. She volunteered her friend JoAnn Heichel's husband, Scott Heichel, to do the honors. Her theory was, Scott was already bald so he would know how to do it right. The experience was more emotional than Stacey was expecting, but with her good friends there to make her laugh and keep her calm, she was able to stay positive and keep her perspective.Â

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Thumbnail of It's two weeks and one day _er new treatment plan.

Thumbnail of It's the evening before her_lighter after praying.

Thumbnail of Just before bed, Anna Kate becom_tions for the morning.

Thumbnail of Plastic surgeon, Dr. Tiwari chec_ey's lymph nodes.

Thumbnail of A couple hours after surgery, St_her recovery would be.

Thumbnail of Stacey took her second walk thro_p to encourage Stacey.

Thumbnail of Four days after her mastectomy, _e Stacey wanted to be.

Thumbnail of Four days after her mastectomy, _and took care of her.

Thumbnail of After Dr. Lilly left the exam ro_the cancer had spread.

Thumbnail of Three weeks after her mastectomy_there to support them.

Thumbnail of Anna Kate has had a hard time w_ly has cancer," she said.Â

Thumbnail of Since Stacey's breast canc_hows together in between naps.Â

Thumbnail of Before beginning her first chem_she and Darin watch the video.Â

Thumbnail of Stacey Heath spends time with h_what her doctors had told her.Â

Thumbnail of To keep her nausea at bay, Stac_regiment of anti-nausea pills.Â

Thumbnail of After a few days of buzzed hair_tive and keep her perspective.Â

Public Story

Facing Cancer Head On

Copyright Jessica Phelps 2024

Updated Nov 2016

Topics Breast Cancer, Cancer, Documentary, Family, Health/Healing, Hope, Photography, Photojournalism

Stacey Heath was diagnosed with stage 0 breast cancer in June. After much thought she opted for a mastectomy on heft breast and a DIEP flap tissue reconstruction. During her surgery, however, it was discovered that the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes and she was upgraded to stage 3 cancer. This meant her battle with cancer would be longer than originally thought. After recovering from her surgery Stacey began her chemotherapy treatment. Stacey's battle with breast cancer has taken its toll on her entire family, especially her children.