Miss Freddye

When Freddye Stover learned she had breast cancer in 1998, the tears flowed.“Receiving the ‘C’ diagnosis is heartbreaking,” said Stover, known in the regional music scene as “Miss Freddye.” “I cried for 24 hours straight. I went to bed crying. I woke up crying. I cried in the shower. I asked, ‘How much time do I have to live? Do I need to write a will?’ ”

And then, the second time, I knew right away it was back. I was determined to fight it again.”

And she did, in 2004.

Whether battling cancer, singing the blues, doting on her two grown sons — one who is on the autism spectrum — or holding the hand of a patient who just received devastating news, Stover remains positive.

That attitude helped her endure breast cancer twice.

With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Stover said she thinks about all those dealing with breast cancer and the feelings of uncertainty and pain. She says to surround yourself with people who love you and want to take the journey with you. And pray.

“There will be ups and downs, because cancer is wicked,” the Ross resident said. “I have cared for cancer patients but, when you’ve gone through it yourself, you really, fully understand what it is like.”

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