Welcome

This is not my full story but a chapter.

Hey, I’m Stacy—mom, wife, senior exec, and now, a warrior in the fight against triple-negative breast cancer, thanks to an August 2024 diagnosis (what a plot twist, right?). This cancer is aggressive, but with my amazing crew of family, friends, and coworkers, I’m tackling it head-on. Through my blog, "Life, Love, and Cancer," I’m sharing the real ups and downs of treatment, the power of love, and the resilience it takes to get through each day—with a little humor to keep things rolling, of course.

More About Me

Life, Love & Cancer

Sep 30, 20248 min read

Plot Twist, Mindset Shift

Life threw me a major plot twist on August 8 2024, when I was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer—= three weeks before my wedding.

Jan 96 min read

The Red Devil’s Wrath: What Chemo Takes to Save a Life

Meet the Red Devil - an undeniable force in my cancer treatment.

Nov 17, 20243 min read

When Someone You Love Has Cancer

When you hear the words from someone you know and love, “I have cancer,” there’s no script for how to respond. Here’s the truth...

All Posts

Why 'Badass' Is More Than Just a Word

For us, "Badass" isn’t just about being tough—it’s our family’s signature vibe. Or, as my Gen Alpha kid might say, “ultimate hype squad.” What started as a funny acronym with mine and Andy’s initials has blown up into something bigger. "Badass" is all heart and that core energy that keeps us close-knit. It’s our go-to reminder to tackle life’s messes with grit, humor, and a good ol' family eye-roll. This quirky badge of honor pulls us together through the ups, downs, and everything in between. As the “Badass Battle Crew,” we’re taking on this fight with all the strength and spirit that makes us…well, us. And we need your support—join us and be a Badass!

January 17: First ER adventure! 🏥 Made it deep into cold and flu season before the inevitable bug capitalized on my low WBC. Thankfully, back home and on the mend. 😷 A bustling ER meant @jillmhaggerty had to step up—she’s a pro! 😂 Also, a quick lesson on the right (and very wrong) ways to wear a hospital gown brought some levity to the situation.

January 9: Cycle 14 - Second dose of the red stuff today, and a tearful send-off to the absolute best oncology nurse. It was difficult to find a sticker to mark the countdown chart; there’s a million signs by our school aged artist decorating the house. Only two more infusions to go!

It’s bold, it’s unforgiving, and it’s my latest opponent in this fight against cancer. The blog is live, and I’m breaking down what it’s like to face the infamous Doxorubicin—aka the Red Devil, a chemo drug with the power to save lives and the punch to knock you off your feet. Go to:www.badassbattlecrew.com

From the Red Devil to Sun Devil, the last ten days have been a battle to feel human again. But there’s nothing like a cozy New Year’s Day, feet up, watching college bowl games to force some much-needed rest. Also, finally got the countdown chart up-to-date. 🥱

December 20: C5D1 - Met the “red devil” today—Doxorubicin, the chemo drug that’s as toxic as it sounds. Not gonna lie, it feels like my insides are waving a white flag. Energy is nonexistent and couldn’t even take the count down photo, but somehow, my spirit animal showed up to remind me I’ve got this.

December 13: We did it! 🎉 Today marks the end of Part I of chemo treatment. Goodbye to weekly infusions (and those ice socks and gloves—won’t miss ya!). Part II promises to pack a punch, but for now, we celebrate with cake… even if I can’t taste it. 😂 #BadassBattleCrew @strazzd

December 6: C4D2 - After last week’s setback, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Glad to be back on schedule with the 11th infusion in the books. @shlaschmidt

November 29: Surprise twist! What should’ve been C4D2 got postponed—turns out my body is too weak for more chemo right now. 😔 We’ll give it another go next week. In the meantime, made the most of the found time with a coffee break with my badass brother. @dstrassb. ☕️🩷

November 22: C4D1 - Double digits, baby! Infusion 10 today, which means we’re 63% of the way to surgery. And even better—some good news from the surgeon: the tumor is shrinking! 🎉 Plus, a snap of my steady trying to get some work in while keeping me company on new cycle days. @beddoesa

November 19: Surprise infusion day! My RBC and iron levels are running low, and with Cycle 4 around the corner, a 3-hour iron drip was in order. Mom’s on side-effect watch while keeping the nurses updated. @strazzd

💖 Be a Badass — Battle Gear Store is open until Nov. 25! International shipping avail.

🔗 https://bit.ly/ShopBadassBattleGear

When you hear 'I have cancer,' there’s no script for what to say or do. But showing up means everything. Those small actions create lifelines, whether it’s a hug, a laugh, or just being present.

In my latest blog post, I share what it means to show up and how my husband and kids are channeling helplessness into action—fighting cancer together, one step at a time.

November 15: C3D3 - Today’s infusion was standard, but battling iron deficiency anemia and a fever made bouncing back a bit harder. Still fighting strong!

November 8: C3D2 – Still feeling the last infusion, so today felt like starting from behind. I’ve reached the stage where I might fall asleep mid-sentence or burst into tears over nothing. The fatigue is no joke! @dickstrassburger

November 1: C3D1 – Starting the second half of part one in my treatment plan. The first 48 hours are always the toughest, and the fatigue now is next level! @beddoesa

New blog post: How my wedding dress fitting led to a life-saving breast cancer discovery, just weeks before saying ‘I do’—a story of fate. Link in bio

October 25: C2D3- Today we celebrated the halfway mark of the first leg of my adjunctive chemo journey. It’s like hitting the layover on a long-haul flight—still a ways to go, but one step closer to the destination. @jenny_n_olson_

October 23: Embracing my buzz-cut era. I held it together all day, but when I saw my friend Lindsay, I broke down—and her warmth got me through. With every buzz of the clippers, my friends and family surrounded me and cheered me on. 🩷 @bloomsalon

October 19: A quick escape to the lake was desperately needed, and it gave me a taste of that beach I was dreaming of at my last infusion. This is my happy place.

October 18: C2D2 - A shorter infusion today but with a twist. The hurricane in Florida caused a saline shortage, so all the pre-meds were pushed through a syringe instead of the usual IV. Those hit hard but it could be worse. My heart goes out to those who lost everything in the hurricane. @strazzd

October 17: There’s been a lot of talk about hair since mine started falling out. She wanted a haircut in solidarity—I won’t let her shave it, though!

October 11: C2D1 - Back at it with a hard-hitting infusion day. Dreaming of being on a beach when this is all over.

October 10: My infusion day is moving from Mondays to Fridays, giving me a mini break in the schedule. But things are getting real with the hair loss, so I panic shopped for a wig.

October 5: Still keeping up with the kids’ activities, but admittedly, things are a lot more low-key. We weren’t the family to host the homecoming after-party this year, and we took some shortcuts on the pumpkins

October 1: Move-in day! My parents pressed pause on their life in Wisconsin and moved to Illinois for the next six months to be closer to us. Just wow!

September 30: C1D3 - End of Cycle 1 of 8! Woo hoo! The doctors say how I felt these past three weeks will likely set the pattern for the first three months—though expect more fatigue as we go. Honestly, it wasn’t too bad. A pleasant surprise! @jillmhaggerty

September 28: Took her on her first college tour. No problem walking all day, but I passed out in the car on the way home and didn’t wake up until a full day later. Might’ve pushed too hard—learning my energy limits

September 23: Cycle 1, Day 2 (C1D2) Things are starting to feel a bit more familiar. Shorter infusion today—half the time of the first one, and that was a pleasant surprise!

Six days after Treatment 1: I felt good enough to take the girls apple picking. Trying to keep things normal, but wow, that apple basket felt a lot heavier than usual

September 17: Most people on my chemo plan will lose their hair, but when is the big unknown. Some say cutting it halfway helps ease the process, so I said goodbye to 8 inches. Now rocking the “mom cut”!

September 16: Chemo Day One. The first of 24 weekly treatments. Trying to get some work done before the ice gloves go on—icing my hands and feet to prevent neuropathy.

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Love, Life & Cancer

Welcome

Life, Love & Cancer

Plot Twist, Mindset Shift

The Red Devil’s Wrath: What Chemo Takes to Save a Life

When Someone You Love Has Cancer

Follow us on Instagram

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Love, Life & Cancer

Welcome

Life, Love & Cancer

Plot Twist, Mindset Shift

The Red Devil’s Wrath: What Chemo Takes to Save a Life

When Someone You Love Has Cancer

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Follow us on Instagram

Just updates. No spam.