14
cially through that first year. They’ve
become close, personal friends.
They’re a blessing to Parker County.”
It’s hard to say why she responded
so well to her treatment. She’s a natu-
rally positive individual, she bonded
closely with her medical team,
especially Dr. Young and her breast
surgeon, Dr. Amy Gunter.
But perhaps one of the strongest
driving forces behind her overcoming
attitude and determination is mother-
hood. “My children need a mother,”
she said.
Certainly her motherly instincts
and the positive chemotherapy expe-
rience buoys Stevens up, but another
source provides respite from the
storm.
As she and her husband,
Steve, operate Stevens’ Natural
Horsemanship — a Parker County
enterprise dedicated to develop-
ing relationships between people
and horses — she had an avenue of
escape … actually, engagement.
“In addition to my family, there
are two things that have sustained
me: being able to get away from
everything while riding and training
horses and the great confidence I
have in my doctors,” Stevens said.
“When I’m working with horses,
I have to fully commit my mind and
body to completely connect with
the horse. And to do that, I have to
live in the moment, which leaves no
time to worry about my battle with
cancer… .”
Stevens said she and her husband
simply fell in love with Young.
“Her confidence is huge,” said
Stevens. “You don’t doubt her for
a second. She’s very thorough and
warm and comforting.”
From their first meeting, Stevens
knew she had to go to Young for
treatment.
“Amanda is an inspiration to
me,” said Young, “as are all my
patients. She is a beautiful young
woman with a handsome husband
and two lovely children. She was
on a cutting-edge new regimen of
cancer-fighting drugs. I’m glad I was
able to offer it to her.”
Stevens gained another friend
through her ordeal — breast surgeon
Gunter.
“She is my hero,” Stevens said.
“She performed my double mastec-
tomy.” Through their mutual inter-
est and love of horses they forged a
strong bond.
Today, the two women remain
close friends.
When PCT first interviewed
Amanda almost four years ago, she
knew she was embarking upon a
“long hard road,” and had “quite a
way to go.”
Today, her blonde hair has grown
back; it cascades past her shoulders
and she has the radiant glow of a
happy, serene woman.
Convinced horseback riding is
good medicine, Stevens and her
husband are working with Careity to
develop an equestrian program t