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TOP STORY OF THE DAY - Wesley Strong: 28-year-old father of three fights advanced stage IV melanoma
In the blink of an eye, Wesley Miller, his fiance Samantha Swayze, and their three children's lives changed forever.
The 28-year-old native of Brazil says he felt fine in the months leading up to his diagnosis. The large tumors on his upper arm and abdomen were the only sign that something was wrong.
"I felt nothing, even from the tumors themselves. I forgot they were there," said Miller. "That's definitely one thing people should know about (skin) cancer is: you won't know you have it unless you get a scan or get something cut out of you because it doesn't make you feel bad."
Miller says the tumors had been there for months, possibly a year or more.
"It was a long time, much longer than I should have let it go, but I wasn't thinking like that," described Miller.
After going in to have the tumors removed, Miller was diagnosed with stage IV metastatic melanoma. He explains it's most likely from sun exposure and sunburns and admits sunscreen was not always a priority.
"It's probably from the sun because I'm fair-skinned, and I get sunburnt real easy, and I don't tan," said Miller. "I've been sunburnt throughout my life, so I'm 99% sure that's where it came from."
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, five or more sunburns more than doubles your risk of developing melanoma.
With stage IV metastatic melanoma, the cancer spreads to distant regions of the body; in Miller's case, it has spread to his brain, lungs, liver, and bones. Doctors have told Miller his diagnosis is terminal, giving him a three to six-month life expectancy.
Miller's radiologist says he has a much better prognosis than he would have ten years ago. He is currently undergoing immunotherapy and radiation on his brain. In two months, they will know if treatment is working.
"Before immunotherapy, this diagnosis was a death sentence; there was nothing they could do for you; chemo doesn't work," described Miller.
His three children, aged nine, seven, and six, do not know his diagnosis but know he's sick.
"We don't want to burden them with that," said Swayze.
Swayze says the world works in mysterious ways, as the two had separated for some time before ultimately finding their way back to each other.
"What are the odds we get back together at the end of June, and I see those things (tumors) on him? I hadn't really seen him that much before, and I see those on him, and I say, 'You really need to go and get those checked out,'" said Swayze.
Miller says he would have eventually gone to the doctor, but Swayze's persistence ultimately persuaded him.
"She's my gift from God and my savior. Our family would've fallen apart already without her resilience and dedication," explained Miller.
Miller is currently not working and is trying to receive medical disability. Swayze is also unemployed to care for Miller and their children.
"If anybody has anything they want to do to help or any ideas or any success stories of other people who have gone through this, things like that, just any and all support. It does not have to be donating money; it could just be, here's some advice," said Swayze.
Miller and Swayze hope those reading this will consider helping their family whose life has recently been turned upside down. If there's one thing this small town does best, it's rallying around those who need help.
The family also wants people to take their health seriously, wear sunscreen, and pay attention to their bodies and any unusual changes.
If you'd like to help the Miller family, there are multiple ways to contribute.
• Swayze has created a GoFundMe to help with the family's expenses: https://www.gofundme.com/f/28y-old-father-of-3-diagnosed
• Miller's sister, Jessica Whittaker, has created a GoFundMe to help cover travel expenses so Miller can travel to visit her in Flordia: https://www.gofundme.com/f/connect-families-battling-cancer
Bethel Chapel held a fundraiser and plans to donate Christmas gifts to the family.
• Esthetics by Shakara will hold a fundraiser on Monday, November 6, where 100% of the proceeds will benefit the family. The day has been booked but will have a jar for donations.
• Pizza Hut will have a fundraiser to support the family on Tuesday, November 7. Use the code PT when ordering. 20% of the proceeds will go to the family. They will also be holding a silent auction and are looking for donations.
• Lacey Jordan is selling "Wesley Strong" bracelets for $3.00 a piece, with adult and children sizes available. (Reach out to Jordan or Swayze on Facebook.) Jordan has also set up a meal train for the family, which can be found online: https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/6rrmry
• Legacy Hair Co.'s Stacy Crague will donate half of her total sales to the family on October 28 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. There will also be a donation jar.
• The Wildflower Boutique is raising awareness for melanoma and taking t-shirt and sweatshirt orders for their #WesleyStrong
