Help Floyd Fight a Rare Cancer

Hello Beautiful family, friends and caring hearts. My name is Tamiel Scotland and I am organizing this fundraiser on behalf of my brother in law, sister and their family; Floyd & Monique Stewart.

In late May of 2021, my sister and brother in law called me so excited because they were going on their first vacation after COVID began to calm. This was long anticipated and well overdue! Little did they know that this trip would be the positive highlight of 2021 for them.

While on the trip, my sister said she noticed a lump on the side of Floyd’s neck. It was something she never noticed and when she inquired about it, he said he never noticed it either. He did notice his ear was blocked for a few days on the trip but no lump. As soon as they returned home, they went to the Emergency Room where he underwent a CT scan and bloodwork. The doctor’s told him that his lymph nodes were enlarged, gave him antibiotics and referred him to an ENT (Ear Nose and Throat Specialist).

On June 2nd of 2021, Floyd went to see an ENT where the doctor took a photo of his nasal cavity. A few moments later, the doctor told him there is a mass located on his Nasopharynx (where the back of the throat and nose meet) that brings about concern. She was hesitant to say anything further but she told him in her line of business, “it’s cancer until proven otherwise”. At this time both Floyd and Monique were scared out of their wits but hoping for the best.

Between June 4th and 13th he underwent a series of tests, scans, biopsies and bloodwork. By Tuesday morning of June 15th, the Oncologist called Floyd and the first words he uttered were, “I’m sorry”… He confirmed that Floyd has a Stage 4b Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma and the cancer spread from his lymph nodes to his liver. Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma is a rare cancer on this side of the world. It is most commonly found in East Asia.

This was the most devastating news brought to our entire family near and far. Our hearts are broken by the news while we think about how this can happen to such a good man and his family. Floyd is one of the most selfless men I know and would give the clothes off of his back to someone who is in need. He is very humble, and proud to be a provider for his family. He is a loving father of 4 and husband who embraces FAMILY and this diagnosis has taken a toll on all of them.

His Oncologist said this is an aggressive cancer and they had to move fast so on June 18th Floyd started chemotherapy. The doctor decided to go with aggressive treatment because Floyd is young and in good shape and feels that Floyd will be able to handle it. The doctor stated, due to the stage and progression this is not a goal of cure but to extend his life as much as he can. After a few cycles of chemo, he did a combination of chemo and radiation which brought him to his lowest point. The combination of radiation and chemo was very challenging. Floyd said the radiation made it extremely tough to eat and he was uncomfortable most of the time.

Some of the side effects he is still experiencing is having really bad neuropathy in his fingertips and the bottom of his feet. He cannot stand or walk for long periods of time without feeling extreme pain. He is a welder by trade so he is wondering if he will ever be able to return to work. He also has no taste, constant congestion amongst other things. Food and drink have no flavor due to the radiation affecting his taste buds. He says he mentally eats. He chooses to eat familiar foods so he can mentally process the flavor as a discipline to keep eating. He also said, "If I don't eat, the cancer will eat at my body and I will get sick and wither all the way down." Who can imagine going through this on a daily basis? I know I can't and I truly applaud him for his strength to persevere.

With such a short notice from diagnosis to the beginning of treatment and the aggressive course of action taken, we are standing at month nine that Floyd is fighting his battle with cancer. From his most recent Pet Scan, in February, the nasopharynx cancer has reduced tremendously, Thank God. However, he is currently going through another round of radiation that is now focused on his liver. Some days are a struggle for him but his courage to keep pushing through is admirable.

Floyd uses his family as the best part of his motivation. His wife and four beautiful children ages 5, 7, 11, and 17 are trying their best to deal with his diagnosis.They have transitioned to a one income household and their eldest is going off to college in August. Life is still happening and they are just trying to keep up. I created this gofundme to provide some support for them so finances won't become center of their focus. Spending time, recovering and healing should be the center of their focus.

100% of your loving donation will go directly to their family to help with medical bills, travel to doctors visits, childcare, living expenses and support for their soon to be high school graduate. We are extremely grateful for your generosity during this difficult time.