‘I CAN SURVIVE’
Cancer fighter launches T-shirt line
Cancer fighter Shaunice Dean has introduced her own line of T-shirts, branded as Shauni Tees. Dean, who has been battling colon and liver cancer, said casual wears are not just clothing but expressions of resilience and strength.
“They are basically shirts that represents what I am enduring and who I am. I express myself on my shirts. It was officially launched on Friday, but I have been getting orders for them from the before, so the sales are going good. The words ‘Strong Fighter’, ‘I Can Survive’, ‘Hope and Pray’ and ‘Pray, Fight, Win’ are just some of the empowering messages that are on them,” she said.
Dean was diagnosed with stage-2 colon cancer little over three years ago. Prior to that, she was initially being treated for acid reflux for almost a year. The cancer progressed within two years, which eventually led to the gloomy ‘one-year prognosis to live’.
The Allman Town, Kingston resident, who recently celebrated her 31st birthday, has endured some really dark periods. The mother of one has undergone multiple operations and rigorous treatments, the majority of which has failed.
She told THE STAR that the cancer cells remain a major threat to her life but she is
no longer depressed. In fact, Dean said she is feeling great, physically and emotionally. And she looks good too.
Her once bald head due to chemotherapy treatment is replaced with bouncy, shoulder length hair, she has regained weight and her skin appears healthy.
“Physically, I am feeling good. I have some pain every now and again, but it is not unbearable. I don’t have to take any painkillers so that is great. Mentally, I am in a good condition right now. I am not worried and I am wondering if this is kinda weird and if I should be worried because we know what cancer is and how serious my condition is,” she said.
Dean is now undergoing immunotherapy treatment, which relies on the use of a person’s own immune system to fight the cancer cells.
“I am about to start my third cycle of immunotherapy treatment in March, and following that I am going to do a CT scan to see if the treatment is working or not, but I am feeling really good. I have shortness of breath but these little things are like minor, so I really cannot complain about it,” Dean said.