Today we’d like to introduce you to Silvia Garcia.
Hi Silvia, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
In March of 2020, at 31 years old, I was diagnosed with Stage IIB Triple Negative Breast Cancer.
After 16 rounds of chemo and a bilateral mastectomy with reconstruction, I was officially in remission, at the end of 2021, I was officially in remission. So what now?
I was left with so much hurt and pain. I refused to allow it to take over my life. So I decided to take that hurt and pain and turn it into something good. Cancer wasn’t going to turn me into a bitter person.
My mom (also a breast cancer survivor) and I were both blessed with an amazing support system. My friends and family really went above and beyond to help my husband and I during my fight with cancer. Not all cancer patients have this.
I knew we would never be able to pay back our friends, but what I could do was pay it forward.
In December of 2020, with the help of several local businesses and close friends, we put together over 30 care packages for cancer patients. 20 of them were distributed to the metro Atlanta area, the others were mailed out other states. By doing this, we were able to remind those affected by cancer that they weren’t alone. We were able to bring a little bit of joy during one of the darkest times in their lives.
I decided this was something I wanted to do on a regular basis, but I needed to find a way to fund my project.
That’s where the idea for “Silvia’s Creations” was born. My mom and I have always been “crafty” people. I grew up watching my mom make wreaths.
We make wreaths, cups, hand bands, hairbows, centerpieces for parties, just about anything. I also assist with party planning. I take half of the proceeds and I use it to cover the cost of these care packages.
This October will be two years since I have been in remission. I have mailed out 100 care packages.
Cancer didn’t win. Cancer will never win. I turned something ugly into something beautiful Because I faced breast cancer, I can look at all of these women currently in the midst of their fight and say, “I understand. I get it. You are not alone.”
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The port that was supposed to make my treatment easier was placed incorrectly by the doctor who placed it. It took 5 nurses and 1 hour for them to find it. My breast was left bruised and bleeding. I ended up needing a PICC that stayed in place for six months. I opted for a full mastectomy and DIEP Flap reconstruction, all at once. It was supposed to be a 6-hour surgery. There were complications. My surgeons were absolutely amazing, and what happened was not their fault. I was just in that small 5% where something could possibly go wrong. My surgery took 8 hours. When I woke up, I couldn’t even stand on my own. Because of the complications, I ended up going back in for emergency surgery the next day. I couldn’t stand up straight, use the bathroom on my own, or bathe myself for four months. Because I tested positive for the BRCA 1 gene, which increases my chances of developing ovarian cancer, I had a full hysterectomy in August of 2021. It’s been hard but they can continue to cut off as many of my body parts as long as it means is get to live.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My creative wreaths and headbands/ bows are our biggest sellers. I do this because when I was fighting cancer, my husband and I were blessed with amazing friends and family. Anything we needed was provided. Your typical cancer patient doesn’t have this much support. My goal is to help as many cancer patients feel a little big of the love I felt.
And my goal for my customers, those who may not be affected by cancer, is to get to know some of these amazing warriors. (their stories are on my website). I want people to see that life is difficult, but it can also be very beautiful. We can take tragedy, disappointment and we can turn it into something good. We all face challenges and tragedy at some point in our lives. How we react to those challenges is important.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Friendly. I loved making friends, I was voted “friendliest” in High School. I always enjoyed drawing and “arts & crafts”, I remember my mom was always working on some kind of project, craft. She was Pinterest before Pinterest even existed.
Pricing:
- Headbands/Bows $12-$15
- Wreaths – $55 – $90
- Cups $8-$20
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.silviascreations.com
- Instagram: s_ilviascreations
