Myrtle Beach Photographers
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Life doesn't always seem to follow the plans we've made for it. Undoubtedly, we will find ourselves faced with many obstacles throughout our days here on Earth. Mountains that we must climb. These roadblocks placed before us will attempt to steer us from our path and weaken our convictions. They will make us question everything we've ever believed in or have known. We may find ourselves feeling angry or sad.
But, amid this thing we never asked for and the new path now laid before us, we will find strength. A strength we never knew we had. We will love more deeply than we ever knew was possible and reconnect in ways much stronger than anything that came before. And somewhere in between the tears and the sleepless nights, we will heal. And we will laugh. And we will embrace life with all the gratitude it deserves because despite these obstacles, it's such a beautiful ride.
Neal and I can not express how honored we feel that the Filer Family entrusted us to help tell their story. They will hold a place in our hearts forever.
Below you will learn about Nancy(told by her daughter Meg) and how just one morning changed everything.
We've been coming to Myrtle Beach for a family vacation every year since the early 90s. This place is filled with memories of chasing ocean waves, reading on the beach, and family meals with our extended family all crammed into a room, full of love, full of laughter. Eventually, my parents made the decision that this would be where they would retire, a dream they talked about and looked forward to for more than the last decade. In June of 2019, my Dad retired, their house sold within 48 hours, they found their perfect retirement home in Murrells Inlet and they made the move from PA on June 17th - full of promise and possibility.
On June 28th, the day before my mom's 66th birthday, she woke up feeling like she was having a stroke, the entire right side of her body paralyzed. They immediately rushed to the hospital. Alarmingly, they wanted to transfer my mom to a different hospital with a neurology unit. My family's world was turned upside down when the doctors found a 2-inch tumor in my Mom's brain. On July 1st, after invasive brain surgery, they informed our family of the very worst. My mom has a grade IV Glioblastoma, one of the worst diagnosis you can receive. She was given about 12 months.
My mom is one of the strongest, bravest, toughest women I’ve ever met! My mom courageously went through 6 weeks of daily chemo and radiation. She handled it like a champ and we were hopeful that God would heal her and they would be able to enjoy their dream. A week or two after the first batch of chemo, mom dramatically declined - moving into a wheelchair almost full time, struggling to communicate much more than a yes or no, completely losing the ability to function on the right side of her body. The chemo has taken a massive toll on her body and mind, without providing any improvement or hope. The week before Christmas my mom started sleeping about 20-22 hours a day. They've been adjusting her steroids and infusions to give her a little more joy in her day but warned us that the end is near.
Like all families, we've had our share of drama and growing pains, however, this tumor has given us a gift of 6 months of daily interaction, of love, of support, and of truly being seen. This time has been healing and has deepened our families' relationships and connections - gifts that we will cherish for the rest of our lives. Tonight we reminisced about her championship pitching skills, taking her team to win their District – she’s been a warrior as long as anyone can remember. It’s hard for me to grasp that when my mom was about my age, she was learning she had cancer for the first time. Which she beat – with gusto!
Since her GBM4 diagnosis last summer, Mom has completed 6 weeks of daily chemo and radiation, followed by 3 consecutive months of chemo rounds. She has been fighting tirelessly, with everything she has and now she is choosing to fight for the joy in her days. Mountains have moved, prayers have been answered and we’ve surrendered, over and over again. Life, love, and death have been slow dancing with our family for the last 6 months. But every day, despite it all, we all choose love.
~ The Filer Family ~
Also on the journey with Nancy.
Her husband Richard
Her daughter Meg
Her son Jeff and daughter-in-law Danielle
Her grandchildren Kellen (6) and Greyson (2)
Her sister Sue
And her father Frank
Please keep this family in your thoughts and prayers.
Nikki and Neal are Myrtle Beach photographers serving Myrtle Beach, SC and surrounding areas. Known for their beautiful children's portraiture, Nikki and Neal also specialize in family photography with a special interest in beach family photos. Along with family photography, they also offer senior sessions, couple sessions, engagements sessions, wedding photography, and unique composite imagery sessions. Nikki and Neal's work can be found on books covers from some of New York's best selling authors such as Joanne Harris and Christie Craig. You will also find one of their designs being used in the promotional material for Warner Bros rerelease of their 1984 movie Gremlins. If you're searching for a photographer in Myrtle Beach be sure to put these two on your list. You won't be disappointed.
Areas of service include Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach, Surfside Beach, Garden City, Murrells Inlet, Litchfield Beach, Pawleys Island, Georgetown, and Conway South Carolina. Nikki and Neal are also available for travel and for a fee can come to your location.