Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      U.S. Air Force Medical Service Corps Officer, Maj. Stephanie Proellochs (center), works with two of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center’s physical therapists in Bethesda, MD, Nov. 8, 2017. Kyla Dunlavey (right) and Alyssa Olsen (left) work with the rest of Proellochs’ medical team throughout her amputation recovery.  Proellochs was diagnosed with a metastatic tumor in her left foot in January 2017, which resulted in having her foot amputated. (U.S. Air Force photo by Karina Luis)Living with an attitude of gratitude – An Airman’s story of resiliency (Part 3)
                        
                        
                        Maj. Stephanie Proellochs (center), Medical Service Corps officer, works with two of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center’s physical therapists in Bethesda, Md., Nov. 8, 2017. Alyssa Olsen (left) and Kyla Dunlavey work with the rest of Proellochs’ medical team throughout her amputation recovery. Proellochs was diagnosed with a metastatic tumor in her left foot in January 2017, which resulted in having her foot amputated. (U.S. Air Force photo by Karina Luis)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        Maj. Stephanie Proellochs receives a visit from her U.S. Air Force Medical Service Corps team in the first week of December, 2017. Throughout her cancer treatments and amputation recovery, Proellochs receives support from her MSC team. They visit her at her home, offer to make her and her family food, and ensure she has an easy transition when she is ready to return to work. (Courtesy Photo)Living with an attitude of gratitude – An Airman’s story of resiliency (Part 3)
                        
                        
                        Maj. Stephanie Proellochs receives a visit from her Medical Service Corps team in the first week of December, 2017. Throughout her cancer treatments and amputation recovery, Proellochs receives support from her MSC team. They visit her at her home, offer to make her and her family food, and ensure she has an easy transition when she is ready to return to work. (Courtesy Photo)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res
        


        U.S. Air Force Medical Service Corps Officer, Maj. Stephanie Proellochs (left) poses for a photo with her son, JP (center), and husband, John (right) in their home. Both her son and her husband have been with Proellochs through every step of her cancer journey and accompany her to every appointment ever since her diagnosis in January 2017. (Courtesy Photo)Living with an attitude of gratitude – An Airman’s story of resiliency (Part 3)
                        
                        
                        Maj. Stephanie Proellochs, Medical Service Corps officer, poses for a photo with her son, JP, and husband, John,in their home. Both her son and her husband have been with Proellochs through every step of her cancer journey and accompany her to every appointment since her diagnosis in January 2017. (Courtesy Photo)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res

Living with an attitude of gratitude – An Airman’s story of resiliency (Part 3)Published Jan. 11, 2018
                    
                    By Shireen Bedi
                    
                    
                    Air Force Surgeon General Public Affairs
            **FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AFNS) --***(This is part three of a series following an Airman through her cancer treatment and amputation.)*
“I already got my running blade,” said an enthusiastic Maj. Stephanie Proellochs.
After only taking her first steps in November, Proellochs, a Medical Service Corps officer and recent amputee, was already thinking of how she would be able to run and eventually snowboard with her family.
“Since I started walking on my prosthesis there are all these things that I want to start doing now,” said Proellochs. “I know that it will take time for me to get comfortable but I am excited. I want to run!”
With her ear-to-ear smile and enthusiasm for recovery, it can be easy to forget that her amputation was not the result of a single incident, but an ongoing, grueling, and unpredictable battle with cancer.
“Between being immobile and the radiation, sometimes it kind of keeps me down,” said Proellochs. “The support I have received has made it so much easier to stand.”
Proellochs credits her ability to smile through some of the toughest moments to support from her family. From her husband’s experience working with amputees to her son’s humor, Proellochs is grateful and feels confident about overcoming any challenges that come with being an amputee.
“My son has been taking it all in stride and does a great job of making me laugh,” explained Proellochs. “Between school and practice, my son manages to come up to the hospital to see me even in rush hour traffic. He also finds little ways to make jokes. He says he is the only one who can get away at making jokes since everyone else is so nice to me. He says, ‘I have to keep it real, mom.’”
Having never met an amputee before, Proellochs was also appreciative of her husband, John, who has not only been by her side at every appointment, but also has experience working with service members with amputations.
“My husband is just outstanding and has made this whole process so much easier,” said Proellochs. “It is helpful that he can use his experience being around so many different amputees for so long. John has made me feel comfortable with what was to come with my recovery. He and my son make a really great pair and I am beyond lucky.” 
Proellochs also extends her gratitude to her team at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Many patients who receive treatment at Walter Reed feel such a connection to their medical team that they often come back to visit just to express their appreciation.
“I mean just look around here,” said Proellochs as she scanned the physical therapy center. “Many people here do not have appointments but just come back just to show how grateful they are to their medical team.”
These patients who come back and share their experiences and stories have helped Proellochs put her own journey into perspective.
“I have spoken with patients who have been through horrible tragedies like Iraq, Afghanistan, acts of terrorism, accidents, or sickness,” said Proellochs. “Listening to their stories and how they overcame their obstacles is extremely motivating. The support I have received from other patients has been motivating. You can’t help but be uplifted and enriched by their experiences.”
Hearing the recovery journeys of other service members has allowed Proellochs to maintain her focus on continuing her Air Force career. In many ways, her MSC colleagues provide additional support to ensure an easy transition whenever she is ready to come back. 
“My MSC team has been great in keeping me up-to-date and involved as I telework,” said Proellochs. “Many of them even came to my house to provide support and offer me food. When the Air Force Medical Service says ‘people are first’ they really mean it and I have experienced that first hand.”
Her experiences as a patient have also given Proellochs a new perspective in her career field. As an MSC officer, her duties ran more to the administrative side of health care. These roles provided limited exposure to direct patient care. Now, she has a new appreciation for the work medics play in caring for patients. 
“I am more used to the behind-the-scenes processes of health care,” explains Proellochs. “As a patient I learned so much about our healthcare system. The ‘patient-first’ concept of Trusted Care is not just lip service. It really hit home for me that it is the responsibility of all of us who work in the AFMS to create an environment where our patients trust the care they are receiving.
“This experience as a patient has been eye-opening. I believe this will make me a better MSC officer.”   
Her next step toward recovery is to keep building up her strength through physical therapy, leave the handrails of the treadmill behind, and walking unassisted with her new prosthesis. Proellochs jokes that she has started a new “leg” of her journey; those who know her would tell you that this is just another example of her amazing attitude and resiliency.
“I have met some inspiring people throughout this entire journey, and it has been a privilege to have had their support,” said Proellochs. “This whole experience has been incredibly enriching and I feel that I am in good hands as I work to get healthy again.”
The cancer diagnosis and subsequent amputation has never chipped away at her determination. With every obstacle she faces and works to overcome, she is humbled by the support from her family, her team at Walter Reed, and the Air Force. While she has a great deal of work ahead of her, she tackles every challenge head-on, and all with that same ear-to-ear smile and resilient attitude.family 



medical 



cancer 



Air Force Medical Service 



AF Surgeon General 



amputee 



amputation 



resilience 



trusted care 



MSC 



Walter Reed National Military Medical Center 



prosthesis 



Air Force Medical Corps 



through airmans eyes

Related Links
        Every journey begins with a single step – An Airman’s story of resiliency (Part 1)
                                Dec. 20, 2017
                                This started as a story about an Airman fighting cancer, overcoming the odds, and returning to active duty. Unfortunately, stories about cancer are rarely so simple, and just when the finish line is in site, new challenges can present themselves.Such is the case for Maj. Stephanie Proellochs, a
            
            Embracing the uncharted life as an amputee – An Airman’s story of resiliency (Part 2)
                                Dec. 27, 2017
                                Maj. Stephanie Proellochs (PRE’-locks), a recent amputee, gazes up at the rock climbing wall at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center’s physical therapy center in Bethesda, Maryland. She recalled the time she witnessed a Service member who had lost his arm effortlessly climb his way to the Featured News
        Senior Leader Priorities
                SecAF, CSAF, CMSAF begin Indo-Pacific trip focused on ACE
                    
                    DAF leaders talk budget, reoptimizing the force
                    
                    DAF leaders speak at National Character and Leadership Symposium
                    
                    DAF members recognized during BEYA STEM awards
                    
                    DAF senior enlisted advisors discuss Airmen, Guardians in the fightInnovation
                F-16s arrive to be modified for autonomous testing
                    
                    AFWERX director discusses role of tech startups, quick innovation in Great Power Competition
                    
                    DAF delivers lethality at the speed of data during Project Convergence Capstone 4
                    
                    DAF welcomes industry partners to HQ development program
                    
                    DAF announces Spark Tank 2024 finalistsMAJCOM News
                Safety enterprise announces new mission, vision, goals in 2024 strategic plan
                    
                    Air Combat Command welcomes new commander
                    
                    USAFE-AFAFRICA commander discusses Integrated Air, Missile Defense during Munich Security Conference
                    
                    Flosi to AFMC family: Embrace change, make every day count
                    
                    AMC rises to increasing global tension
 Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil