Hi this is Betty!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I founded Stage4Creations in 2017 after getting a shocking diagnosis of stage IV lung cancer (I\u2019m a non-smoker) during a trip to the ER for back spasms. The ER doctor thankfully ordered a CT scan and that\u2019s when my life changed forever. After a biopsy the tumor was confirmed to be stage IV cancer. At that time I was told I had 6-9 months to live, and had a 1% chance of living 5 years. I refused to believe that!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Being Stage 4, I was not a surgical candidate, so off to chemo I went. I have been battling this awful cancer ever since. In 2020, as one therapy was losing effectiveness I developed blood clots (a common complication with cancer) which caused a series of strokes. I am now on my fifth course of treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since diagnosed I have had countless hospital stays, more clinic visits and labs\/scans that I can remember and have rehab OT, PT, speech and vestibular therapies to overcome the effects of the strokes. All the treatments have worked to a degree, some better than others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A strong Christian foundation is the cornerstone of my faith that getting up and fighting every day, even on those difficult days, is going to help me and those I love. Currently, I am in a promising clinical trial and have a world class medical team behind me. I continue rehab therapy to improve my balance, coordination, and strength.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I believe that my humor, a can-do attitude, incredible family and support team plus my love of crafting have kept me going. I\u2019ve lost my hair, but not my passion for helping others. I do that by making greeting cards to give to people who have been given a serious medical diagnosis. This is often a very awkward time when appropriate words are hard to come up with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The cards I make are a tool people can use in letting people know you care about them. My website gives tips and suggestions for what to say and also what not to say in different situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The profits from my sales are donated directly to local cancer research centers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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