Ivy Strong
“We’re just now getting the hang of married life. I’ve been sick the majority of it,” Ivy Stubbs, 38, explains as she describes restarting life after breast cancer treatment. “We have a great friendship. We’re tight. That helps us in our marriage.”
She and Chris were married in August 2018 and Ivy’s diagnosis of breast cancer immediately followed in October. She hopes this past summer’s surgery is the end of treatment. “We’re beginning to figure out how to be a married couple, playing the role as a wife and husband and seeing what that looks like. We’re such a fun married couple trying to keep things light and focus on what we really enjoy.”
“Quality time is my love language.” Dancing, bowling, live music, and movies are the things she and Chris enjoy together. “Except animated movies. That’s his thing.”
Ivy, who was Miss Black Indiana USA 2006 and 2007, pauses, though, and reflects. “I’m still trying to figure out how to transition,” and explains she’s receiving help from a therapist.
“When you go through cancer, you feel far removed from everyday life. Things change, and I’ve changed. I’m learning how to emerge back into the world.”
One thing is for sure, Ivy will reenter in style. This fashion designer loves “to be cute and feminine and wear sundresses with heels.” Prior to cancer, she earned a master’s degree in philanthropic studies and in 2019 chaired an annual breast cancer survivor’s fashion show and luncheon in Indianapolis. She was still going though “light” chemo at the time and was tired from radiation, but she was determined to plow through. “I had to show them my strength because the models were all survivors too.” Covid-19 cancelled the 2020 event, but she continues to serve on the IWIN Foundation board helping with the organization’s post-Covid-19 transition.
Cancer survivorship has always been a part of Ivy’s adult life. “My mother was treated for breast cancer in 2005 and ovarian cancer in 2011.” Leading up to Ivy’s wedding, she and Chris were at her side as she battled the final stage of ovarian cancer. “Chris was holding her hand when she passed.”
Ivy started getting regular mammograms at age 30 because, like her mother, she is a carrier of the BRCA2 gene that puts her at high risk for both breast and ovarian cancers. She’s grateful for her “amazing” oncologist, Tarah Ballinger, MD, who is part of the Vera Bradley Foundation Center for Breast Cancer Research at the Indiana University School of Medicine, whose research focus is helping women cope with the physical and psychological impact of cancer.
“I’m breast cancer free, and I don’t have a fear that it will return. I do fear ovarian cancer.” When she turns 40, she will have a hysterectomy to decrease her risk for the disease. In the meantime, she has recently started fertility treatments and hopes to start a family. “There’s pressure to hurry up and have a baby so I can be done with cancer.”
“My future looks different now,” but for Chris and Ivy, they’re more than ready for their happily ever after.