Everybody has a story to tell, and all you have to do is listen.
I am sure most people recognize that hearing and listening are two totally different things. Sitting behind a computer screen “listening” is much different from the old-fashionED approach of sitting in the same room with someone and carrying on a conversation. This approach allows for eye-to-eye contact and a more personal connection that includes body language and real time conversation. It also tends to keep folks more honest.
However, I digress.
A few years ago I became enthralled with a local Facebook story of a woman, Guinn Nexsen, who was going through an incredibly difficult, life-changing experience due to a particular kind of aggressive and very invasive cancer that attacked her tongue and jaw.
Guinn was born in Chester, while her daddy was serving in Thailand in the U.S. Air Force. Father and daughter didn’t formally meet until she was 8 months old. Four years later, the family made the move to Kingstree to be near the rest of the family. In her early school years, Guinn struggled with multiple learning disabilities and low self-esteem. These issues were compounded with constant bullying and teasing. However, with the support of her family, church and friends, Guinn graduated from high school and life looked bright and promising.
She worked at Willowglen Academy from 1995 to 2003, and then as an emergency medical technician for Williamsburg County from 2003 until her diagnosis late in 2014.
Guinn and her younger sister were raised in a strong Christian home. Prior to his retirement in 2010, her dad served as head of human resources at Farmer’s Telephone for 37 years and her mom served as the church program coordinator for 25 years at their home church.
She retired in 2015 so she could focus on taking care of her daughter.
One of Guinn’s fondest memories includes attending Camp Harmony as a child and then serving as a counselor at this same camp as a young adult. She attended several Presbyterian Pilgrimages from 2009-14. She is convinced these faith-based experiences were instrumental in preparing her not only for the challenges of life in general, but for fighting cancer in particular.
Guinn was formally diagnosed on Oct. 10, 2014, just after her 45th birthday, with squamous-cell carcinoma. She went to the doctor due a constant earache. She had noticed the black spot under her tongue but didn’t think it was anything of consequence. When the doctor announced his diagnosis, she was in a state of denial and disbelief.
How could this possibly be happening to her?
What had she done to deserve this?
October and November of that year were filled with constant doctor appointments for biopsies and mouth cancer procedures. The cancer was spreading fast and seemed unstoppable. A surgery date was scheduled. A friend started a FaceBook Page called Prayers for Guinny. Prayer warriors were storming the Gates of Heaven for their beloved Guinny. Jan. 22, 2005, arrived and surgery lasted 18 hours. One surgeon removed most of her tongue and the bottom of her mouth while another surgeon transplanted tissue from her back to the floor of her mouth. She had a feeding tube and a trach, but this did not shake her faith.
Phase one in the healing process was long and painful, but she was ready to begin her radiation and chemo regimen that was slated to begin on March 3 and finish on April 14.
Ringing that bell with a net weight loss of 70 pounds was an unforgettable experience. However, three weeks later, her PET scan revealed the cancer had returned.
The doctors were candid with their two options. The first was a second surgery that would be even more aggressive to include removing the rest of her tongue and replacing her jawbone with a titanium bar and another transplant with a success rate of 5 percent. The second? She could go home and check things off her bucket list before succumbing to cancer.
This was a no-brainer to Guinn and she took the attitude to change the odds from 5 percent to 95 percent through a positive attitude. She couldn’t talk and even when she tried, no one could understand her. It was then she realized there is One who could understand her every thought and interpret her every need and that realization gave her the hope she needed to fight for her life. Her prayer life and faith continued to grow and blossom.
On May 29, 2015, Guinn had her second surgery as outlined by her doctors. Recovery time for this was also long and painful. In January 2016 she began working with a retired speech therapist and in May 2016, Guinn received a prosthetic for the roof of her mouth, making it possible for her to speak and be understood again.
This was something the doctors said would never be possible. Not only can she talk again, she is out there giving motivational speeches which leaves me speechless. Her speech isn’t crystal clear yet as she has to learn how to master the use of the prosthetic. However, with her track record, I can assure you, she will do just that.
In May 2017, Guinn was awarded the 2017 Distinguished Alumnus Award from Williamsburg Academy. She is truly one amazing woman who firmly believes in a loving God who continues to perform miracles. I love you, Guinny.
Sincerely,
Cindy
Cynthia Risher is a member of the Clarendon School District 1 Board of Trustees. She handles legals, classifieds and other responsibilities as a part-time employee of The Manning Times.
