Finding Joy and Gratitude after Overcoming Breast Cancer

Stephanie Norvell and her husband of 49 years, Paul, built their first home in the San Diego Country Estates in 1986. The couple had friends who lived in Ramona and wanted to live near them. Stephanie also had a childhood dream of having horses on her property. She grew up in Yucaipa, California, and Ramona reminds her of her childhood.

She started her business 'Custom Home Loans' in the early 1990s and operated out of the little white house on the corner of 10th and D Streets, then incorporated and renamed her business, 'Town & Country Home Loans, Inc.' Her husband Paul built the current location on the corner of 10th and Main Street. The couple has two children—Tanya and Nick, four grandchildren—Katie, Dawson, Paige, and Dalton, and one great-grandchild—Stella. "Our daughter, Tanya, and her husband, Dean, have been married 25 years."

Her favorite thing about living in San Diego Country Estates is that they raised their children here, as well as their grandchildren. Ramona is a family-based community, and the beauty far exceeds any community in San Diego County.

"I have always loved volunteering in Ramona. I was President of the Ramona Chamber of Commerce, Vice President of the San Diego Country Estates Association, Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Murals Board of Directors member, and most recently, a member of the Ramona Archway Association Board of Directors," says Stephanie. "I love volunteering with others in our community who share the same love and vision for our town."

In 2020, Stephanie was diagnosed with breast cancer. "We were driving out to our river house in Arizona, and I got a phone call notifying me that I had breast cancer," says Stephanie. "We pulled the truck over to the side of the road and were in shock." She adds that she felt very healthy at the time.

She had her surgery, and the treatments began soon after. "Because of COVID, appointments were interesting; I had to go in without my husband to meet with the oncologist and surgeon," says Stephanie. She underwent five months of chemotherapy and then eight weeks of daily radiation. She says chemo went just like doctors said it would; she lost all her hair and did not feel well. She was in bed 24/7, especially toward the end of her treatments. Her husband took the year off work in 2021 to care for her and take her to appointments. He would patiently wait in the truck as she walked in for treatment and was there when she was done.

Her biggest fear was not knowing the outcome of her treatments. She had lost her father to cancer, and her mother had breast cancer as well. She had genealogy testing, and to her surprise, her cancer was not the result of an inherited gene from either of her parents. Her cancer was due to her environment and what she ate.

Stephanie's family and friends helped her get through it with cards, flowers, and meals. Even though she didn't feel well enough to eat, her family appreciated this kind gesture. When she announced she had breast cancer, she was overwhelmed by how many people reached out to support her. Some were only acquaintances but were there for her and prayed for her. The outpouring of love from so many inspired her to reach out more to others now. "It's full circle. It feels good to do a good deed for others when they are not expecting it."

"I have the biggest support group of family and friends," says Stephanie. Initially, when she was advised she would lose all her hair because of the type of chemo she would be receiving, her best male friend, or "BMF," Jim Piva, coordinated a surprise head-shaving party at a local salon in town and invited all her male friends and family to join in and have their heads shaved. "It was so fun, with many laughs and lots of tears at the same time," she says.

Life did change for her in terms of her perspective on life. She sees EVERYTHING as important and tries to fit it all into her daily schedule. She enjoys life's simple beauties: walking along the golf course in the mornings, hearing birds chirping, seeing school buses picking up children, blue skies, and puffy clouds. She takes deep breaths and is happy to be alive. "When you go through treatments, you spend a lot of time resting and laying down in bed, so your thoughts are plentiful, and you end up being so grateful to all who have contributed to your life," says Stephanie. She notices other people going through treatment now, which she did not notice before. She sees them in the grocery store or restaurants and always approaches them and asks about their journey. They share, and it feels good.

Her advice to others going through the same challenge is that it is shocking, but you will meet others going through similar experiences once you share what you are going through. Stay tough, follow the course, and pray to GOD. Miracles do happen.

Cancer may have slowed her down a bit, but she is still active with her business at Town & Country Home Loans, Town & Country Real Estate, and Town & Country Property Management, volunteering on the Board of Directors for the Ramona Archway Association, and of course spending time with her wonderful family and friends. "Life is good, and I would not want to live anywhere else but this wonderful supportive community of San Diego Country Estates," says Stephanie.

As Breast Cancer Awareness Month comes to a close, we reflect on the trends in breast cancer research, prevention, and treatment, and move into November with gratitude. Let us all take a page from Stephanie's book and always look for things around us, big and small, that we can be grateful for. 

Photos courtesy of Stephanie Norvell.