The Saline Reporter
A Heritage Newspaper
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Stierle finds support in cancer battle
Jazzercise instructor says students, staff in her corner
By Alison Marable, Special Writer
PUBLISHED: August 21, 2008
Deidra Stierle's life was the envy of many. She was a healthy, 35-year-old Jazzercise instructor with a good job at a local firm and she had recently returned from a family trip to Disney World.
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The day Stierle got the call from the hospital, she was a parent helper at her son's preschool. James was a leader at Pooh Corner in Saline because the next day he would be turning 4 years old.
Stierle has never forgotten that day in May when the voice over the telephone confirmed that her cells were indeed cancerous. As any mother would, she had to contain herself in front of her son and the other children, finish out the day and then call her husband.
Following her diagnosis of Stage 1 breast cancer, Stierle began a series of four rounds of chemotherapy, to be followed by seven weeks of radiation treatment.
As a woman in her 30s, Stierle describes the experience as a "horrible emotional rollercoaster." One doctor told her that she was too young for cancer and that she was simply a "victim of technology."
"She was upset by the misleading comments about being a victim of technology," said golfing partner and friend Shelly Butler.
During her first chemotherapy session at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor, she looked around the room and noticed that most of the other women were seniors. She noted that some of the hospital staff seemed surprised to be treating someone of her age and were compassionate when they discovered she has such a young child.
"I couldn't believe that this could happen to someone as young, active and healthy as Deidra," said close friend Tammy Miller.
"It seems like more women in their 30s are being diagnosed and I think it's scary; however, it may be a reflection of better technology and doctors being trained to find it earlier," Stierle said.
Stierle has a master plan in place to keep herself motivated and positive.
One step she took to be in control of her situation was to look for information on breast cancer and treatment.
"She spent hours on the Internet reading legitimate sites and staying away from the blogs with the horror stories," her husband said.
Miller said, "She has extensively researched information about breast cancer and her particular situation so that she is knowledgeable of all the facts, and she is managing her recovery with great fortitude."
Stierle is known for her strength and can-do attitude.
"She has a fire inside that she channels to help deal with the situation," said her husband.
"Her personality is strong, positive and determined," said Miller.
Longtime friend Stephanie McCarthy said Stierle has handled the diagnosis with grace and strength, accepting the side effects that she likely will have from the treatment without one note of self pity.
McCarthy will run the Susan G. Komen race for the Cure in Toledo in September and will place the name "Deidra Stierle" on her runner number.
"The race will have a more special meaning for me this year," she said.
Stierle credits a large support system for her upbeat attitude. She considers her co-workers at the Saline Jazzercise Center to be family members.
"It's more than a place to work out -- we're a sisterhood of sorts," she said.
She continues to work and teach Jazzercise, altering her routine to compensate for any fatigue or having other instructors help with classes.
"I want her to concentrate on her treatment, work and Jazzercise. The last two are important because it helps her to keep as normal a routine as possible," said Brian Stierle.
Her friends at Jazzercise have provided gift cards for iTunes so that she will have new exercise music, items to pamper her during the tough times, comfortable clothes, nutrition cookbooks, and toys for her son.
"They are a fantastic bunch and I couldn't ask for more sincere, genuine, caring people than my Jazzercise ladies," Diedra Stierle said.
Stierle has been employed at McNaughton & Gunn for nine years and finds the support at work priceless. Co-worker and friend Terri Conway said, "Here at work she doesn't let this get her down. Her professionalism is still what it has always been and she is on the ball."
Stierle offers words of advice to women newly diagnosed with the disease. "Don't panic if you are faced with the word 'cancer' and listen to the doctors and experts rather than well-meaning family and friends," she said.
Stierle advises friends and family not to offer unsolicited opinions on what a cancer patient should do or what kind of treatment they should receive.
"I think the best thing they can do is offer support, but not advice," she said.
Many friends sent cards to her home just letting her know she was in their thoughts.
"It's a very simple act, but it means a lot to know people care," she said.
Stierle's parents, Denny and LeeAnne Roberts of Blissfield, her mother-in-law, Barb Stierle of Saline, as well as her 38-year-old sister, Renee Dashner of Blissfield, have been on hand to help with watching and caring for James.
Stierle recalls that she and her son have always cuddled while he touched her hair. "To help ease her son into the certainty of losing her hair, she went out and had it cut real short to make the loss a bit less dramatic for James," Butler said.
She and her mother also have been making scarves and pins for hats in anticipation of possible hair loss.
In 2006, Stierle's husband underwent surgery for chronic Crohn's disease so he not only had a great role model for being a supportive spouse, but he can now see what it is like to be on the other side.
"I understand the worry she went through and I have a greater appreciation for all she did," he said.
Their son is too young to know more than the fact that his mother is sick and sometimes won't feel well. Despite his age, he offers his own kind of support.
"He is so full of energy that even if she is feeling down, he gets her laughing in an instant and takes her mind off the situation for a while," Brian Stierle said.
Diedra Stierle's future plans include taking a cruise with her husband once the holidays are over and her treatment has come to an end.
"I love her with all my heart and plan on growing old with her," said her husband.
Alison Marable is a freelance writer. She can be reached at alimarabelle@yahoo.com.
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