Cured: Aquebogue Mom, Kindergarten Teacher Battles Cancer With Diet, Positivity

RIVERHEAD, NY — Keri Stomski is nothing short of a miracle. The Aquebogue mother, wife, kindergarten teacher and friend is an inspiration, her friends say. Diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer in December, rather than succumb to doubt and crippling fear, she's battled her foe with diet and positivity.

And now the stunning news that have made believers even amongst those with the hardest of hearts: Stromski is in complete remission.

On Friday night, Stromksi and those who love her, as well as a sea of supporters, will attend a fundraiser and wellness symposium, "She is Cured," to be held at the Polish Hall in Riverhead from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.; the event will feature a Chinese auction and raffle.

Stromksi, 44, of Jamesport, shared her story of faith and hope with Patch. She's a well-loved kindergarten teacher whose Facebook posts are colored with happy images of her students and moments of blessed life shared with her husband Robert and her children Madison, Morgan and Quinn.

Her cancer journey began when she found a lump in her breast while in the shower and then made an appointment to see her gynecologist, who felt two more lumps and sent her for testing.

She had her breast and lymph nodes biopsied on November 15.

"My birthday was the 16th and I got the call telling me it was cancer on the 17th. We went and had a pet scan December 30 and they saw a spot in my sacrum. On my daughter's birthday on the 15th I had a spinal biopsy. On the 21st of December I was told it was cancer that had metastasized and was terminal — and I started treatment immediately," she said.

The news was devastating, Stromski said.

"We were in shock. I kept saying, 'This isn't my story'. All I could think of was my children and husband and family."

But rather than let fear overwhelm, Stromski soon found within herself the strength to battle cancer through a healthy diet and a huge belief in positivity. The words "I am a miracle" are a mantra she's embraced.

"I received an email from my friend, Maggie. I had her son in class the year before. She owns the Golden Earthworm. She was the first person to give me hope. She told me to go totally organic, change my household products, juice, fast, and to see two specialists she recommended," Stromski said.

Next, she met Debbie Falborn and Bridget LeRoy of Chaga Island, who gave her Chaga mushrooms to make tea. Next, she connected with Paula DiDonato at the Giving Room in Southold and learned all about juicing. Danielle DeLongis at Peaceful Scorpion Wellness began a regime of reflexology and reiki, she said.

Friends then introduced her to a Chinese herbalist; she now takes the herbs three times a day, Stromski said.

Faith, however, is the driving force behind her recovery so far, Stromksi believes.

"I gained strong faith. I believe Jesus has healed me. I don't know why me, but I know he had put all of these people in my path to help the healing," she said.

She added, "Faith was everything. Jesus put everyone in my path to help Him heal me. I need to listen and trust Him. I've had candles and prayers lit in Manila, Australia, Hawaii, Canada, England, France, Italy, China, South Africa, and all over the USA. I think St. Patrick's Cathedral has had about 50 candles lit for me."

And then came the news that leaves others joyfully amazed: Her doctors said she was in complete remission, Stromski said.

"I never believed I had Stage 4 cancer, and now I am trying to believe it is all gone. It's surreal, because I know it's a miracle. At the same time, I am still a wife, mom, and kindergarten teacher trying to get through the end of the school year and make memories with these children I loved and taught all year long."

For those who are unsure whether to try new methods of treatment, Stromski has advice.

"Listen to your gut, your intuition. Radical Remission is a book that I have read over and over along with my Bible. You need to be your best advocate. Don't be afraid to research and ask questions. It's your life, their job."

Meanwhile, Stromksi said, she has still been undergoing traditional treatment, and has been on Ibrance, a targeted chemo, with 21 days on, 7 days off. She just started Round 7.

Stromski still has to meet with her oncologist to see if she wants to continue the course of treatment, and says she has had no radiation.

But, she said, "I want to make sure something is clear. The medical term is 'complete remission'. They never say 'cured' with Stage 4 because they say it just got so small that it can't be detected, but it's still there and will come back again eventually. I chose to say I am cured because I believe in the power of thought."

Looking ahead, Stromski said Stage 4 cancer needs greater funding. "So much of the research goes to the lesser stages, because the average survival rate of metastatic breast cancer is so low. That needs to change," she said.

The experience has left one message that resonates, Stromski said. "Hope is everything. Everything."

Her father, she said, had six primary cancers and is still alive. "He and my mom showed me how hope and love heals."

She added, "I don't know why I got complete remission, and small children get cancer. It's not for me to ask why. But if my story can give other patients hope, that's all I want. There is no such thing as false hope. Just hope."

To the army of warriors who have guided her this far, Stromki said there are no words to express the love and gratitude for friends and family, but also, strangers who heard about her and prayed. "I always said I am so blessed to have such a support system," she said.

Rather than give in to doubt, Stromski has chosen to focus on joy. "Cancer can make you bitter or better. It's all in how you count your blessings," she said.

Fridays' event is a learning event and is sold out, she said, adding that she has been uncomfortable with fundraisers or asking for help. On Friday night, she wants to tell all who attend, "We are so thankful to celebrate with everyone who helped us."

For those newly diagnosed, Stromski looks to the Bible to a passage in Joshua 1:9: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified. Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." She added that even when individuals are feeling alone, they should have faith.

Another recommendation, she said, is a video she watched on Hay House, "The Science of Miracles."

It's a believe in the possibility of everything that empowers, Stromski said. "There is so much a science coming out that our thoughts can turn our cells back to healthy. Medical research is exploding. The mind is so powerful. Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food. Meditation and breathing help."

And, she said, "We are all terminal. In 100 years, there will be all new people on this planet. Make every moment we have count."

Patch courtesy photos.