Mickey's Cancer Story

I am an entrepreneur. I was taught to cook by my granny. You know, everything you make is way too much, more stuff than you need.

Turns out it came pretty natural.

First and foremost, I'm a wife and a mother. Marcus Stevens is the love of my life. We have a daughter named Madison.

I had recently had my annual mammogram. It was a very painful mammogram, something that, you know, was off.

They needed me to come back in. So I went back in for an ultrasound and I was cleared. Everything was fine. The first time when I initially noticed bleeding, it was such a small amount, but then, you know, a few days later, it was more. I had no idea that, you know, discharge from your breast was a sign of breast cancer.

I met Mickey a few years ago. She was sent to me because she had abnormal mammogram followed by a biopsy that unfortunately confirmed breast cancer. We sat down, looked at her results, discussed the findings from the mammogram, from the biopsy, so we can both make a treatment plan together.

I was terrified at first because my first thoughts, of course, went to my family.

Getting a cancer diagnosis is very stressful. Know, everybody is scared about hearing the C world. We went ahead and sent a newer test that can detect the risk of cancer coming back as well as the potential benefit from chemotherapy.

You know, was just thinking about, you know, why wouldn't I do everything I can to help myself? So I ended up doing chemo and radiation. I was very fortunate to be a patient at Baptist Health Richmond. I feel super blessed for the convenience because when you're battling cancer, the last thing you want to do is be traveling. You don't have the energy. So I was able to do everything within miles of my home.

We've been able to offer cutting edge treatment for our patients. We've been able to offer research, clinical trial opportunities. I tell my patients, you are not customers here. You're patients.

We want to take care of you. We want to be comfortable. We know this is hard enough on you. It's stressful enough for you.

Anything that we can do to help, we are willing to do it.

You don't fight alone, you know? And I love Doctor Badin. He has a great bedside manner. I knew that there was hope and that it was going to be okay.

A lot of lessons to learn from Mickey's story. Number one, do a screen mammograms. I think this is very important. I cannot emphasize enough how important mammogram is.

It really can save lives. Number two, do not ignore your body. If you have a new symptom, if you have a new complaint, try to investigate that further with your primary care provider. Mickey was such a strong positive influence at the infusion room when she goes there, everybody wants to talk to Mickey and learn from Mickey. She always showed up with a smile on her face.

Mickey is doing great now. She's keeping her surveillance appointments with us, which is very important.

I got top tier care. I don't feel like I suffered any. I don't feel like I got anything less because I went down the street and I definitely didn't fight alone.

So, know, it's, yeah, I'm a fan.

My grandmother was my hero. I don't think she would be surprised. I think she would be very proud.

Entrepreneur Finds Courage Through Cancer…and Cookies

Mickey Stephens found courage and a new purpose after surviving breast cancer, turning her experience into a thriving cookie business that honors her late grandmother’s baking heritage.

When Mickey, a wife, stay-at-home mom and entrepreneur in her 40s, went in for a routine mammogram, radiologists saw she had dense breast tissue, which makes it hard to detect cancer. This prompted a follow-up ultrasound, which was clear.

However, Mickey had noticed unusual nipple discharge and alerted her doctor. “I had no idea that discharge from your breasts was a sign of breast cancer,” she said. “I was terrified at first because my first thoughts, of course, went to my family.”

Additional testing led to the discovery of a benign papilloma, and Mickey’s doctors at Baptist Health Richmond recommended a lumpectomy. When the biopsy confirmed breast cancer, her surgeon, Kristen Moore, MD, performed a second lumpectomy to ensure all cancer cells were removed.

Throughout her treatment, Mickey also worked closely with her oncologist, Firas Badin, MD, who guided her through radiation therapy and offered chemotherapy as an option. She chose to have both treatments to reduce her risk of recurrence.

“It was important to me to know I did as much as I could to not face cancer again,” she said. “I had a high risk for the cancer coming back, and chemo treatments helped lower that risk.”

With Baptist Health Richmond only two miles from home, Mickey said it was a blessing to be able to stay close to family during treatment. Her husband, Marcus, is a long-haul truck driver, and their daughter, Madison, is busy with school.

Today, Mickey is cancer-free and credits her recovery to prompt healthcare, her family’s support, and a compassionate and attentive medical team. Moments before surgery, when she was scared and had tears rolling down her cheeks, a nurse held her hand while another nurse gently wiped them away. “Even though these women were strangers, they were so comforting,” she said. “That’s what I needed right then.”

She’s also grateful that the “side hustle” she felt called to pursue, Stephens Cookie Co., has become a full-time calling. “It’s a lot, but it’s a blessing,” she said. “I fall to my knees for every milestone I’m here to see.”

Mickey encourages other women to prioritize regular mammograms, pay attention to changes in their bodies, and follow up with their providers if something feels off. “Listening to your body and acting quickly can save your life,” she said.

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