Often times there are bizarre events or tragedies that dramatically impact our lives and not only shape our lives, but the lives of others.When diagnosed and treated with a rare form of nasal cavity cancer we became aware of the physical, emotional and financial needs of others who suffer from cancer and other life threatening diseases.
During this time we never saw ourselves as being defeated in any way, but we saw this as an opportunity to reach out and encourage others to"Keep Your Imagination Beautiful" and expect a triumphant victory. By sharing our Faith, Hope & Love we hope to reach out and touch other patients, friends & family in a positive way.
Diagnosed with a Rare Cancer
SayItWearItShareIt was inspired during a time when being diagnosed and treated for Stage IV Nasal Cavity Cancer this disease took on a life of its own.
We experienced several challenges in our own lives during this time. Steven was now faced with an extremely rare type of cancer that has caused several issues beyond what most people could ever imagine when being faced with cancer.
His entire palate was removed and replaced with a titanium plate, with a scapula bone removed from his back, arteries from his left arm and various skin grafts from his leg and arm. Now living without teeth and on a restricted liquid diet made his quality of life quite difficult. His face has remained swollen for over 4+ years and still without teeth in has made his daily life quite uncomfortable. He is still unable to speak very well, which makes it quite difficult for anyone to understand him.
During this time we experienced so many challenges in our own lives and saw the need others face when being treated with the life threatening disease cancer. At this time created SayItWearItShareIt™ to provide support and assist other individuals who are living with cancer. By creating inspirational products we can offer financial support to local communities to help support cancer awareness and help individuals and their families who are living with cancer.
There are many people that do not have someone to help them get through the emotional challenges and daily battles. We understand the emotional and physical challenges they face each day and realize how blessed we are to have each other and share the unconditional love and support we get from one another.
Our goal is to reach out wherever we can to help encourage and inspire other cancer patients and their families to stay strong by sharing our faith, hope and love.
Our Story
Our story begins resulting from a personal crisis in 2015 when Steven had a nose bleed that was hard to control for several months. One day we were sitting on our front porch when suddenly Steven had a minor stroke, he could not move the left side of his body, unable to use his left leg except to drag it around. His left arm was useless and his face and mouth became distorted. Pam wanted him to go to the emergency room at that moment but he was determined to stand in faith, believing God would heal him. We have both personally experienced miracles and healing’s in our lives throughout the years, and were both ready to see another one. So we stood together in faith and just as we believed in a couple of days everything was completely fine.
“If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
(Mark 9:23 NKJV)
However, still dealing with the nose bleed several weeks later we finally came to the conclusion to see a doctor about Steven’s bloody nose. It was constantly needing to be wiped and it was becoming quite irritating, embarrassing and gross to say the least. So we went to the emergency room and they were able to get it to slow down a bit but I still needed to see a ENT doctor.
Stage IV Cancer
When meeting with the doctor, he discovered a tumor behind Steven’s nose about the size of a golf ball and cauterized it to stop the bleeding and took a biopsy of the tissue and sent it off.
Biopsy
The biopsy came back negative for cancer and we were thrilled beyond words. Still the tumor would need to be removed and we were told it would basically be a simple procedure, however it turned out to be our worst nightmare. A week before the surgery we had another biopsy performed by the surgical team and it also came back benign for cancer, however during surgery it was shown to be malignant.
This of course changed everything, and I mean everything. What we thought to be a almost over had just begun a new chapter in our lives. During surgery they removed Steven's entire palate. We were both completely unaware of what had happened and the shock of it all was unexpected.
During this time and being diagnosed & treated for Stage IV Cancer, we experienced several life changing challenges. We became more aware of the people around us also suffering from cancer and the need for help and support, emotionally and financially.
While recovering from our long battle for the past over 3-years we have written a book "FACING THE BEAR" a true story about our own personal experience with cancer. Our goal is to encourage and inspire patients, friends & family to better understand a patients view and the challenges they must face on a daily basis.
The Battle Continues
It's been 3+ years and Steven still faces daily challenges while trying to have some quality of life. It's quite difficult to go out in public still due to the swelling in his face, a symptom called "Moon Face" a condition which causes his cheeks and face to dramatically swell and becomes quite painful. Then there is still the issue of Steven being steroid dependent which has caused a multitude of problems with his health. As far as appearance Steven's arms appear to have severe bruises covering his arms. Steven has now named this look and calls this the (Giraffe Effect), it's tough to deal with having to wear a long sleeve shirt in order to cover it up.
It seems that people get the wrong idea when they see it, it looks as if it's some sort of incurable disease. Although it's not contagious people seem to shy away from any sort of contact. It's understandable but it is hard to wear long sleeve shirts to cover his arms in the heat of summer.
How We Together Support Cancer Awareness
Through our online store we’ve created original inspirational products to financially assist someone in your local area who is suffering from a cancer related trauma.
Our mission is to encourage others to better understand the emotional, physical and financial needs of patients, families and friends suffering from cancer.
Be sure to watch for our book "Facing the Bear" coming in 2021