Cancer survivor comes bearing gifts

While recovering from aggressive chemotherapy and radiation treatments for head and neck cancer in 2012, Brian Tieber began thinking of ways to help others facing similar hardships.

The idea was simple and inspired by the gratitude he felt for visitors who brought him care packages at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center.

“It was a nice feeling when you’re really sick,” Tieber said.

The chemo side effects included dry skin, but the biggest discomfort was blisters that broke out all over his face.

He was diagnosed on his 45th birthday with Stage 4 skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma, a cancer with low chances of survival.

What made that even worse was he had watched his mother die from cancer six months earlier.

Tieber decided that after he healed he wanted to support other cancer patients. He’s been cancer free four years now.

In January 2015 he began creating care packages filled with items specific to a cancer patient’s needs, including a pack of journals to jot down thoughts, cross word puzzles and a deck of cards to keep the mind busy, eye drops, lip balm for chapped lips caused by vomiting and fragrance-free moisturizer, among other things. Inside each bag is also a letter listing cancer resources.

“I’d like to do this the rest of my life,” Tieber said. “In the end I hope to be a better person and make the world a better place.”

Tieber works with local small businesses, which purchase from him lavender wrist bands with the words “faith” “hope” and “love.” The color represents all types of cancer. To date the money has paid for nearly 200 gift bags to cancer patients throughout the county.

He delivers between seven and 10 packages a month to cancer patients in hospitals, cancer centers and support groups.

“Brian is giving a gift to patients and to have somebody there talking to them who have survived the treatment gives them hope,” said Girley Acierto, a lead oncology nurse who treated Tieber at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center.

On July 11, Chula Vista resident Francisco Enriquez received one of Tieber’s gift bags.

Enriquez, 66, has practiced martial arts and tai chi for 30 years but he also smoked a pack of cigarettes a day for 45 years.

About a month ago, his sisters rushed him to Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center after he complained that he couldn’t breathe.

Doctors diagnosed him with small-cell cancer, which begins in the lung tissue and spreads rapidly.

“When you’re told you have cancer the first thing you want to know is your chances of survival,” he said. “I’m basically prepared to do whatever it takes.”

Although Enriquez has not yet been given a prognosis, he began chemotherapy. He said he said that while he’s had no pain, lost no hair and kept his appetite, he lost the ability to taste.

“When you’re sick (with cancer), everything that usually tastes good tastes horrible,” Enriquez said, adding it affects your sense of smell, too.

That’s why of all the items in the gift bag, the most significant to him was a package of Lemonheads.

“Oh yeah,” Enriquez said smiling wide as he pulled them out of the bag. “This will help.”

Tieber also helps cancer patients create fundraisers for themselves through his organization, Hope and Victory Cancer Care.

Enriquez told Tieber that when he’s well enough he wants to help out with the care packages, specifically in the Hispanic community.

“I hope to take advantage of this opportunity to be a better person,” he said.