Faces of Long Island celebrates the uniqueness of everyday Long Islanders. In their own words, they tell us about their life experiences, challenges and triumphs. Newsday launched this social media journey into the human experience to shine a light on the diverse people of this wonderful place we call home.

‘My little Althea healed me in so many ways. She truly is a gift from heaven, and my grandmother is my guardian angel.’

Stephanie Folk, Huntington

“My third daughter, Althea, saved my life. I was diagnosed with bladder cancer while I was pregnant with her, my last child. At 21 weeks pregnant, I underwent a surgery to remove the tumor that was in Stage 2 — which is extremely rare for a woman under 40. The operation was successful, and the cancer was eradicated without any need for chemotherapy. The tumor would have gone undetected if I was not pregnant and would have undoubtedly caused me graver health problems.

“Althea was a miracle baby from the start. Before her, I suffered two miscarries in a row, and I thought a third child would never happen. But shortly after the new year in 2017, we saw a strong heartbeat and a growing baby. My doctors confirmed conception at 12/8 and due date 8/30, which are the same dates as my dear grandmother’s day of passing and her birthday. Of all the dates in a year, these were the ones on my sonograms, and that meant everything to me.

I believe in fate, and I believe in guardian angels and the protection of love that never dies.

“My grandmother passed away when she was 96, and I took care of her in her final years, so I felt like Althea was a gift from her. Then, 35 weeks into my pregnancy, I was induced early because the doctors said that Althea had a potential heart condition that ran the spectrum from a murmur to serious brain damage. Miraculously, Althea was born tiny, but completely healthy and beautiful.

“I always say that I’m an artist first, a mother next, then a wife and a teacher. The arts have always been central to me; my middle daughter, Madelyn, was named after a book, and both Scarlet and Althea are named after Grateful Dead songs.

“I am so thankful for my husband and daughters and my good fortune to still be alive and well. I believe in fate, and I believe in guardian angels and the protection of love that never dies. I am looking forward to watching my girls grow up, exploring more artistic adventures, meeting new people, and growing as a human being with a focus on integrity, creativity and love. My little Althea healed me in so many ways. She truly is a gift from heaven, and my grandmother is my guardian angel.”

Interviewed by Meagan Meehan

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