When Billy Owen was discovered to have a rare and fatal cancer that affected his nasal cavities in 2009, his life took an unexpected turn. His right eye and half of his face had to be removed by surgeons due to the condition. After this life-changing incident, Owen embarked on a resilient journey that inspired him to pursue new interests and discover a greater sense of fulfillment in serving others.
Facing a Devastating Diagnosis
In 2009, Billy Owen was a 39-year-old motorcycle mechanic living in Oklahoma with his wife and six-month-old son. At only 39 years old, he seemed to be in the prime of life. However, Owen started experiencing severe headaches and vision issues due to a blocked nostril. Initial doctors dismissed these problems as sinusitis, but eventually, specialists discovered Owen had sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC), an extremely rare cancer affecting the nasal cavity that had only a 10 per cent survival rate.
Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC) is a very rare type of cancer that starts in the nasal cavity or paranasal sinuses. The nasal cavity is the space behind the nose where air passes on its way to the throat. The paranasal sinuses are the air-filled pockets around the nasal cavity. SNUC is called “undifferentiated” because the cancer cells do not look like normal cells when viewed under a microscope. They grow quickly and are more aggressive than other types of nasal and sinus cancers. SNUC can block sinuses or airways and destroy bone or other tissues around the nose and sinuses as it grows. This can cause symptoms like stuffy nose, headaches, vision changes, and facial swelling or numbness. Doctors aren’t sure what causes SNUC, but treatment usually involves surgery to remove the tumor along with radiation and chemotherapy. SNUC has a very low survival rate compared to other cancers. Catching it early and getting quick treatment provides the best chance of survival.
The radical surgery Owen underwent changed his appearance and abilities forever. Losing his right eye meant adapting to limited vision for the rest of his life. The removal of facial nerves and muscles also permanently affected his nasal functions. He was left with a sunken eye socket and had to rely on a dental plate.
