Elizabeth Bizik, Surrounded by Mercy

2/16/23

A service in honor and remembrance of the life of Elizabeth Bizik will be held on Saturday, Feb. 25, at 2:00p, at Fellowship of Christ, 1788 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary, NC 27511.

Because Elizabeth was loved greatly within our church as well as the larger community, we anticipate there may be many who wish to attend. Seating and parking may be limited. Please plan to arrive early, and consider carpooling with others if at all possible.

The service will also be available for viewing online via livestream.

https://boxcast.tv/view/20230225-service-for-liz-bizik-pmyooqnusoet9vsawnde

Elizabeth was a believer in the transformative power of the Bible, and it was her source of hope, encouragement, strength and direction. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Bible Society at AmericanBible.org/BizikTribute .

 

 

 

2/14/23

Elizabeth A. Bizik, 55, of Cary N.C., went to heaven to be united with her Lord and Savior Jesus on February 7, 2023. Elizabeth was born on June 19, 1967, to John “Jake” and Joan (Giroux) Stephenson in Cohoes, N.Y. Elizabeth was the loyal and loving wife of Jeffery Bizik of Cary, N.C. In her core, she was kind, gentle, caring, compassionate, empathetic, loving, and determined. Elizabeth’s hope and faith in Jesus made her strong and courageous in her battle with cancer.

Elizabeth was a woman full of substance, integrity, abilities, and strength. Her husband Jeff entrusted his whole heart to her, and she greatly enriched his life. Elizabeth brought gentleness, kindness, humility, truth and all that is good to every aspect of life. She constantly searched for what was true, pure and righteous. Elizabeth shared truth to provide for and sustain others, always praying for others with her faith that would rise in power. Elizabeth delighted in the work of her hands and was passionate to help others develop their identity and purpose. She was always ready to serve those in need. It was important to her to be “put together” on the inside and outside. She always saw the best in everyone. Her joy was to share what she learned and offer sound advice to those she loved. Elizabeth lived out of the wonder, awe, respect and reverence of her Savior.

She was an athlete and loved to run, walk, hike, ski, backpack, and cycle. She was also a gold medalist in the Empire State Games, winning multiple gold medals in snowshoe racing. Her love for the outdoors and mountains was clear as she summited all the high peaks in New York as an Adirondack 46er, and she reached 60% of her goal of summiting the 40 highest peaks in North Carolina towards becoming an SB6Ker. Elizabeth was adventurous and loved to explore and travel, having lived abroad in Bern, Switzerland for 3 years and spending 9 months in Phoenix, A.Z. She also enjoyed digging into home improvement and rehab projects; she was especially talented at making things beautiful.

Elizabeth graduated from Mechanicville High School in Mechanicville, N.Y., in 1985, and received her bachelor’s degree from Daemon College in Buffalo, N.Y. in 1989. Her career focused on finance, working within the clinical research and healthcare markets.

Elizabeth was an active member of the Fellowship of Christ church in Cary, N.C. She served others beyond the four walls of a building, loving them well in the way of Jesus, ministering with prayer, and actively helping with practical needs.

Oh, how Elizabeth loved her family! She made it her aim to assist in any way, shape, or form, at any cost. She was remarkably selfless and is survived by her Sister Mary (Mike) Pontari; brother John Stephenson; sister Laura Stephenson; and brother Mark (Lisa) Stephenson. She was a ‘cool’ aunt to her nephews and nieces, and a great aunt. She is survived by her many aunts, uncles, cousins, and in-laws.

A time of Honoring her Life will be held on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, at 2:00 p.m., at Fellowship of Christ, 1788 Kildaire Farm Road, Cary, NC 27511. A second time will be held on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at 2:00-4:00 p.m. (Service at 3:00 p.m.), at DeVito-Salvadore Funeral Home, 39 S.Main St., Mechanicville, NY 12118.

Liz was a believer in the transformative power of the Bible, and it was her source of hope, encouragement, strength and direction. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Bible Society at (AmericanBible.org/BizikTribute).

 

 

 

2/22/22

It has been good that Jeff has been in AZ with Liz, the challenges have intensified over the past 3 weeks. The inflammatory breast cancer has become intensely painful. We’re grateful for the clinic Liz has been attending, they’re truly working with us towards victory. Over the past three weeks they’ve been installing new equipment and adding new therapies just for Liz. Liz lymphatic system has swollen and over the last three weeks we’ve been doing a lot to keep her lymph flowing. We’ve been live streaming our church in NC and driving down into Phoenix to attend a great church in AZ. Liz was finally approved to receive immunotherapy (crazy expensive) that targets a genetic flaw in her cancer. Liz will receive her first treatment on Wednesday Feb 23.

When this started back in August we believed this would have been healed. We had no idea this would be on-going. Your prayers, thoughts, and assistance have been such a blessing. We are still believing in our all powerful God for deliverance and Victory. And through your prayers God has sustained us through many a dark time. From the bottom to the top of our hearts we thank you and ask God to bless y’all with peace, mercy, and grace.

Here’s what we’re praying…

• Jesus will bless Liz with no side effects from the chemo + immunotherapy
• Jesus will miraculously, completely, and permanently eradicate ALL the cancer
• Jesus will normalize Liz’s lymphatic system
• Jesus will bring relief to Liz from the pain

 Here’s what we’re praising…

• Thank you, Jesus, for protecting Liz’s hair, organs, blood, bones and skin
• Thank you, Jesus for your provision meeting our needs in your riches and glory
• Thank you for giving us your strength and wisdom

Love, Jeff&Liz

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2/8/22

Since the last update, the past 6 weeks have been very challenging. Turns out that Liz did not have cellulitis, she has inflammatory breast cancer. Liz’s lymphatic system has been increasingly swollen and painful. Jeff has flown out to AZ as Liz needs the assistance. I realize many of you have so many questions… We’re working with the Dr’s and have even added some. There was a genetic weakness found with the inflammatory breast cancer biopsy that we are pursuing. We both cherish your continued prayers, they truly sustain us.

Here’s what we’re praying…

• Jesus will miraculously, completely, and permanently eradicate ALL the cancer
• Jesus will normalize Liz’s lymphatic system
• Jesus will bring relief to Liz from the pain

 Here’s what we’re praising…

• Thank you, Jesus, for protecting Liz’s hair, heart, liver, and kidney’s
• Thank you, Jesus for your provision meeting our needs in your riches and glory
• Thank you for giving us your strength and wisdom

Love, Jeff&Liz

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December 28, 2021

Time has flown since our last update about a month ago. Liz and I received the results from her PET scan on 11/29, we received a good report. The cancer has not spread, and the cancer that is there has been reduced by 10%-30%. Our Dr was very happy with the results, including Liz’s bold panels. We remain steadfast asking God to remove it for good. Liz has been diagnosed with cellulitis, her lymphatic system is swollen, the separation difficult and the battle in our minds fierce. There’s nothing easy about this. Liz was able to come back to NC for Christmas, we were blessed with a nice trip to NY to visit family, such a wonderful time for us both. Liz will travel back to AZ on Wednesday December 29.

Here’s what we’re praying…

• Jesus will heal Liz’s the cellulitis
• Jesus will normalize Liz’s lymphatic system
• Jesus will miraculously, completely, and permanently eradicate the cancer
• Jesus will lead Jeff to his path

 Here’s what we’re praising…

• Thank you, Jesus, for protecting Liz’s hair, heart, liver, and kidney’s
• Thank you, Jesus for another amazing set of reports from the Dr.
• Thank you, Jesus for your provision meeting our needs in your riches and glory

Love, Jeff&Liz

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October 27, 2021.  Liz had her second doctor progress review on Thursday October 21. Once again, the progress was promising, and the cancer is being eradicated. On the other hand, Liz has another 4 weeks of treatments. God has provided for us and we’re confident he will continue to provide for this next month of treatments.  The good news  is that Liz will return to NC on Friday November 19. We’re thankful she’ll be home for Thanksgiving! Liz will have her PET scan in NC on the same machine as her original PET scan. This is planned for Monday November 29. We continue to thank Jesus, for miraculously permanently eradicating all cancer from Liz. We continue to ask Jesus to protect Liz’s heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys. We are also asking Jesus to provide full time work for Jeff. ——————————————— October 5, 2021. We remain in awe with the generosity of so many that blessed us in our need. Our previous goal of $28k allowed Liz to continue to receive 4 weeks of treatments. We’re still receiving many requests to make contributions; this is truly awe inspiring. We have no desire to take advantage of people’s generosity, we’re aware that the giving is sacrificial, and we want to honor that in truth. This means, we want to make positive that when we have a need, we will ask, and nothing more. We’ve increased the goal are re-opening the site to receive contributions. With your continued generosity we will use that to for the bills we received in August towards what insurance did not cover. We are blessed and BEYOND grateful for all your hugs, thoughts, messages, prayers and gifts. Love, Liz & Jeff ——————————————— October 2, 2021. Wow! Jeff and I have no words to express our gratitude, appreciation, and thankfulness for each one of you. On Monday we humbly asked for your help, six days later we are awestruck having met our need. We all just participated in a miracle. The outpouring of your thoughts, prayers, calls, messages, and gifts brings Jeff and I to tears (I literally cannot stop crying.)   The love we feel from all of you has been overwhelming. Through tears of joy, I want to say thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Your sacrifice and generosity have all enabled me to continue receiving treatments through October 22^nd to be healed by the grace of God. You have also contributed to another miracle; you’re literally saving my life. You have been the hands of God releasing blessing on us.  May He open his heavenly storehouses and pour blessings into your life. Please do continue to join us in prayer believing for a miraculous healing. From the depths of our hearts, thank you so very much. Love, Liz and Jeff ————————————

September 29, 2021  Did you just tell me I have 1 year to live? And the doctor replied “Yes”.  This past July 2021, I was diagnosed with breast cancer which led to all kinds of MRIs, scans, and other tests.  In August 2021, my husband and I learned that my breast cancer was stage 4 triple negative. The doctor literally said to me “If we do chemo, breast surgery, and radiation, I may be able to give you 12 to 15 months to live”.  This was shocking, it felt like we had received a death sentence.  I have always done the right thing, I ate organic food, well balanced healthy meals, I exercised and made my health a priority.  How could this be?  No substance abuse, almost no alcohol (maybe a glass of wine around the holidays), no smoking.  I guess stress took its toll.  I immediately decided I would not accept the doctor’s death sentence and knew God has something better for me.  Neither Jeff or I were at peace with the diagnosis or treatment protocols of traditional medicine.  So, I pushed back the fear and turned to God, and he came though.   We found a clinic (EuroMed Foundation) in Phoenix, AZ that offered what sounds like a common sense, rational, and logical approach. It delivers maximum effectiveness against the cancer while minimizing damage and long-term effects to my cells and organs. THANK GOD, I was accepted as a client at the AZ clinic.  Jeff booked my flight; and made boarding and transportation arrangements.  I began treatments on August 23rd and after 4 weeks, the doctor’s tests show the treatment is working and the cancer is being killed.  Praise God!  However, I must continue until all of it is gone; otherwise, it can mutate and come back with a vengeance and become immune to the treatment.  This means, we go for another 4 weeks and retest on October 21st.  I’m not sure how much longer after that until it’s all gone but the doctor indicated he was thinking 3 months.  Here is the baffling point; our healthcare insurance will only cover the traditional approach and hasn’t covered any of my less expensive “holistic” treatments. In the past, we worked very hard to always “do the right thing”, have an emergency savings, pay our bills on time, help others.  But life has hit us hard a couple of times.  My husband has been unemployed for the past 2 ½ years and then cancer hit us.  In addition to having to pay for housing, rental car and my food here in AZ, the treatments are currently averaging $7,000 each week.  We’ve hit the end of our savings and we are reaching out for assistance.  We are firm believers that God is sovereign, our healer and our provision.  Would you please add us (Liz and Jeff) to your prayers, prayer requests, and prayer groups?  We are thanking God for a permanent, miraculous, eradication of any/all cancer on/in Liz.  We are also thanking God to open a job opportunity for Jeff that will allow us to get back on our feet and be able to meet our financial responsibilities.  We are asking if you would also prayerfully consider contributing to help us with the burden of costs?  Perhaps you can share this on your social media page, and God will work in amazing ways.