Hey, I’m Shanee’ Wilson, and I am a Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cancer survivor. As creator and founder of Fighting and Fabulous, I am grateful to be a part of your journey as you navigate through such trials and tribulations at this point in your life. Let me be the first to say: VICTORY IS YOURS. Yes! Prepare the trumpets, celebrate dinner, family, and orchestra because the Glory will be yours.

I remember my journey with cancer as though it were yesterday. I catch myself having moments waking up thinking I’m still in Unit 9800, room 5 bed A. Lying there unable to move, while feeling weak and powerless. Hours upon hours spent thinking about my husband and daughter. Wondering why, how, and what the present and future held. My only company outside of the daily visits was God.

Something as life-changing as cancer just never seems to subside.

I was diagnosed with stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cancer only six-months after getting married to the love of my life. So it was safe to say it wasn’t the honeymoon phase I imagined. We traded in vacations and date nights for hospital gowns and early bedtimes. I am so thankful to have such a loving man by my side. Not only did he make me feel beautiful, but he became a super dad and a super husband. He carried our family through prayer and consistency. Cooking dinner for me every night, taking me places to keep my mind off what my body was going through, visiting daily, and taking my late-night calls to listen to me cry my heart out on the phone. He cared for our daughter and reassured her that God will have his perfect work. I had to check into the hospital for chemotherapy treatment twice a month, for one full week that undoubtedly left me weak, drained, and numb. My daughter and husband’s smiles and every moment I was home for dinner and homework was my ongoing reminder to keep fighting, even when my body didn’t want to.

Cancer is one of the most challenging things you will ever experience in life. There were times I was so mentally defeated and wanted nothing more than to just give up. Fear and despair would grip me daily, bringing thoughts of defeat to my head because of what I knew and had seen. I’ve had several family members pass away from cancer. I couldn’t help but think that I was soon to join this number because the mortality rate amongst our family was 100%, so I began to mentally accept my fate. Physically defeated, mentally exhausted, emotionally overwhelmed, and leaning all understanding on God, I found something.
Being someone that was used to working out five days a week, I had no idea that I would become so physically weak that walking would become an issue. Brushing my teeth exhausted me so much that it would bring me to tears. I would lay on the restroom floor using all of my efforts just to complete the task. Cancer also made me feel so emotionally defeated just laying in that hospital bed helpless as I gazed through my window. It was almost as though I was slowly dying while the world just continued around me. However, I found something. I found clarity. I found peace. I found power.

In that time I found a meeting place with God. My heart poured out to him and he received me. Spirits lobbied in my favor and brought blessings upon me. I came in with faith that God would deliver me through until the war was won. Throughout the process, I realized that you must keep control of your mind in “moments of divers temptations”. It’s easy to accept defeat, it’s hard to be defeated. Allow yourself to be defeated. Don’t accept defeat before the FIGHT. Victory goes to those who in fire stand FABULOUS. I learned to control my mind and I willed myself to heal. Through the sheer grace of God, I was given the greatest strength, Faith. You must have Faith. Faith in yourself, faith in your family, faith in the world, faith in God, and you too can hear the trumpets of victory.

I have created my Journey Boxes for you all as mementos for the fight. Items that will help you grow, remember, fight, and feel fabulous while doing so. I found power in these items myself and I have provided them in each journey box. Each box being different from the last, I hope to empower you and strengthen your faith. I want you to know this simple fact. If no one else believes in you, I Shanee’ Wilson believe in you. But these are mere tools in this fight for victory. Never lose sight of the Greatest weapon in your battle. You, You Are Fighting and You are Fabulous.