

Inspirational Journey of Billy Owen From Cancer Patient to Zombie Actor
When Billy Owen was diagnosed in 2009 with a rare and fatal cancer that affected his nasal cavity, his life took an unexpected turn. Surgeons had to remove half of his face, including his right eye, due to the disease. Owen’s journey of resilience began with this life-changing incident, which inspired him to pursue new passions and discover a deeper sense of fulfillment in serving others.

A devastating diagnosis to face
Billy Owen, a 39-year-old motorcycle mechanic, lived in Oklahoma in 2009 with his spouse and infant son. He appeared to be in his prime at the age of just 39. But Owen had a blocked nose, which caused him to have severe headaches and vision problems. At first, doctors wrote off Owen’s issues as sinusitis, but after a while, specialists diagnosed him with sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC), a very rare cancer of the nasal cavity with a mere 10% chance of survival.

Owen had a dismal prognosis because the cancer had progressed dangerously. His chances of survival, according to doctors, were only 10%. Surgeons had to remove half of Owen’s face, including his right eye, facial nerves, and muscles in his nasal cavity, in order to have any chance of saving his life.
Owen puts it this way: “My sense of smell is pretty much gone.” There’s a huge hole where his right eye used to be, and I can smell it if it’s really strong. He can insert his finger in that eye socket and have it come out of his mouth when he removes a dental plate.
What is Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC)?
A very uncommon kind of cancer that begins in the paranasal sinuses or nasal cavity is called sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC). The area behind the nose where air travels before entering the throat is called the nasal cavity. The pockets of air surrounding the nasal cavity are called paranasal sinuses. The reason SNUC is termed “undifferentiated” is that, when examined under a microscope, the cancer cells do not resemble normal cells.
Compared to other kinds of nasal and sinus cancers, they grow faster and are more aggressive. As it grows, SNUC can obstruct sinuses or airways and erode surrounding bone or tissue. 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.
Getting Through Life-Changing Surgery
Owen’s drastic surgery permanently altered his appearance and functional abilities. After losing his right eye, he had to live with limited vision for the remainder of his days. His nasal functions were also irreversibly impacted by the loss of his facial muscles and nerves. He was forced to use a dental plate and was left with a sunken eye socket.

Understandably, Owen‘s emotional and mental well-being were greatly affected by the abrupt changes. Safety concerns forced him to give up his mechanic career, which was a costly sacrifice. Owen’s family also found it difficult to deal with the unpredictability of his survival.
Owen experienced a profound spiritual awakening while he was in the hospital getting better. He was overcome with a deep sense of comfort and serenity, which motivated him to make a new commitment to his family. In an effort to maximize his second opportunity at life, Owen made the decision to support his wife and accept fatherhood.
Finding New Interests
Owen resisted allowing his new look to define him after the procedure. Acting as a zombie and sideshow performer gave him a new lease on life. Owen was able to get parts in movies and music videos where his unique appearance helped him. In addition, he worked at Las Vegas’s Goretorium and other haunted houses.

Todd Ray, the owner of the Venice Beach Freakshow, claims that Owen’s tenacity and fortitude served as an example for others. Owen didn’t let his missing eye bother him; instead, he used it to entertain and tell his story. It was impressive how brave and upbeat he was in the face of difficulty.
Owen was grateful for the attention and chances to share details of his journey. His message of positivity was able to reach a wider audience when he made an appearance on the reality show “Freakshow.” Owen found new fulfillment in providing for his family financially through odd entertainment gigs, even though he missed his work as a mechanic.
Discovering Meaning in Change
Billy Owen’s cancer narrative demonstrates the human spirit’s tenacity. Even though Owen’s body was permanently altered by the illness and surgery, he didn’t allow it to stop him. Owen gained self-assurance and a sense of direction by pursuing new interests like zombie performing. He turned adversity into a chance to motivate others going through difficult times in life. Owen’s journey highlights how one can reinvent themselves even in the wake of significant loss. His steadfast optimism and dedication to his family serve as an example of how to find hope even in the most difficult times in life.

Roller Coasters were First Invented to Distract People from sin
Roller coasters were invented to distract Americans from sin. In the 1880s, hosiery businessman LaMarcus Thompson didn’t like that Americans were going to places like saloons and brothels and created the first roller coaster on Coney Island to persuade them to go there instead.

How a Man Fooled Florida with Fake Penguin Tracks for 10 Years
In 1948, Florida’s Clearwater Beach was the stage for one of the longest-running and most peculiar hoaxes in American folklore. Giant three-toed footprints appeared mysteriously in the sand, sparking rumor and fascination about a 15-foot-tall penguin roaming the shores. For a decade, locals and visitors alike speculated and scanned for the elusive creature, never realizing the truth: these tracks were made by a man wearing 30-pound lead shoes designed to imitate an enormous penguin's footprint. This article uncovers the details of this elaborate prank and its lasting legacy in Florida’s cryptic history.

Pierre Brassau: The chimpanzee painter who deceived the avant-garde world
Abstract paintings by a previously unknown artist “Pierre Brassau” were exhibited at a gallery in Sweden, earning praise for his “powerful brushstrokes” and the “delicacy of a ballet dancer”. None knew that Pierre Brassau was actually a 4 year old chimp from the local zoo.

Mill Ends Park, the Smallest Park in the World
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Frank Lentini, The Three-Legged Sideshow Performer
Francesco Lentini was a man with three legs, four feet, sixteen toes, and two sets of functional male genitals. He worked for the circus and lived to be 78 years old.

A woman finds her ex-boyfriend living in her attic 12 years after they broke up
Most people have heard of "things that go bump in the night," but for one South Carolina lady, that "thing" was her ex-boyfriend, whom she discovered living in her attic more than 12 years after they broke up.

The mystery of India's 'lake of skeletons'
In 1942, a British forest guard in India made an alarming discovery. Some 16,000 feet above sea level, at the bottom of a small valley, was a frozen lake absolutely full of skeletons.

The Miracle Baby: Nigerian Couple in the UK Welcomes a Rare Blonde, Blue-Eyed Child
A black, Nigerian couple living in the U.K. gave birth to a white, blonde, blue-eyed baby that they call the "miracle baby."

Nevada’s Fly Geyser Is A Surreal Wonder That Looks Like Its On Another Planet
In 1964, an energy company accidentally created Nevada’s Fly Geyser after drilling into a geothermal pocket. Since then, the geyser has been releasing algae-filled scalding water five feet in the air, depositing minerals and forming a cone that sports vibrant hues of green and red.

In 1954, an Extraterrestrial Bruiser Shocked This Alabama Woman.
In the year 1954, a grapefruit sized meteorite crashed through the roof of a farm house in Alabama, bounced off a large wooden console radio and hit Ann Hodges while she was napping on her couch. This was the first confirmed case of a person to be hit by a meteorite.

When the Sky Rained Fish: An Unbelievable Encounter Above Alaska
A small Alaskan plane was hit by a fish falling from the sky. It had been dropped by an eagle that misjudged its grip. The plane was unharmed, but it made the news as possibly the weirdest bird strike ever.

The Real-Life Sleeping Beauty: A Girl with Hypersomnia Syndrome
An Indonesian 17-year old teenager Siti Raisa Miranda or Echa, has a rare medical condition formally called Kleine-Levin syndrome (KLS) where she can sleep for days and weeks without being woken up. Echa was only 13 when she first slept for a week. She’s now 17, and her parents still need to feed her and change her clothes when she experiences the deep levels of grogginess.

Japan’s Chicken-Flavored Ice Cream: The Bold Fusion of Sweet Vanilla and Real Grilled Chicken
A Japanese company once created chicken-flavored ice cream using real grilled chicken bits mixed into vanilla. It combined sweet and savory in a way few dared try, but it drew curiosity from foodies seeking extreme culinary experiences.

Domestic Flight Delay Caused by Live Snake on Board Leaves Passengers in Shock
A domestic flight was unexpectedly delayed for nearly two hours after a snake was discovered slithering inside the plane’s cargo hold. Thanks to the swift efforts of a professional snake catcher and airline staff, the reptile was safely removed without any harm to passengers, turning a potentially alarming situation into a story of caution and calm.

A man who has been suffering from headaches for nearly six months discovers chopsticks lodged in his brain
When it was discovered that a Vietnamese man with headaches and vision problems had chopsticks lodged in his brain, the doctors were almost as surprised as the man himself.

How a Canadian Man Traded a Red Paperclip for a Two-Story Farmhouse
In 2005, Canadian blogger and entrepreneur Kyle MacDonald embarked on an extraordinary journey that captured the world’s imagination. Starting with nothing more than a single red paperclip, Kyle pursued a year-long chain of strategic trades that escalated from small, quirky items to a two-story farmhouse in a small town in Saskatchewan. What began as a playful social experiment became a legendary story of creativity, perseverance, and the power of barter in the digital age.

The story of The chicken that lived for 18 months without a head
Mike the Headless Chicken was a rooster whose head was accidentally chopped off but miraculously survived. This is due to most of the brain stem being left intact. He was fed using a special tube that delivered food directly into his esophagus. Despite his lack of a head, he lived for 18 months, gaining worldwide fame before ultimately choking on a kernel of corn during one of his tours, in a Motel in Fruita, Colorado.

The 1814 London beer flood
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The story of Lionel the Lion-Faced Man, Stephan Bibrowski
Stephen Bibrowski, also known as Lionel the Lion-faced Man, was a well-known sideshow entertainer. His entire body was covered in long hair, giving him the appearance of a lion; this was most likely due to a rare condition known as hypertrichosis. Lionel traveled to the United States in 1901 and began performing with the Barnum and Bailey Circus.

Vakil Batirshin’s Story: How Radiation Exposure Caused Severe Lymph Node Swelling
This is Vakil Batirshin, a man whose severe swelling from enlarged lymph nodes was reportedly caused by radioactive exposure. His condition highlights the devastating and long-term health effects radiation can inflict on the human body—often surfacing years after initial contact. Cases like his underscore the importance of nuclear safety and medical support.

What Caused The Mysterious Patomskiy Crater in Siberia?
Discovered in 1949, the Patomskiy Crater resembles a huge convex cone with a funnel-shaped recess and a rounded hill in the middle, which looks like an eagle’s nest with an egg nestled inside it. The crater’s origin is a mystery that has baffled scientists for decades.

The Google Maps Discovery: the Mystery of William Moldt's Disappearance
In 2019, Google Maps helped solve the decades-old mystery of William Moldt, who disappeared in 1997. A former resident spotted his submerged car in a retention pond while using Google Earth. The vehicle, visible since 2007, contained Moldt's skeletal remains, providing closure to his case.

Mom Cries After Seeing Her Deceased Daughter in Virtual Reality
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June and Jennifer Gibbons The silent twin who Only Spoke to Each Other
Identical twins June and Jennifer Gibbons were born on 11 April 1963 at a military hospital in Aden, Yemen where their father worked as part of the Royal Air Force.

Thousands of Rare "Ice Eggs" Blanket Finnish Beach in Spectacular Natural Phenomenon
Thousands of ice balls recently covered a beach in Finland, a rare phenomenon caused by wind and waves sculpting pieces of ice into smooth spheres. These "ice eggs" can vary in size from chicken eggs to soccer balls and have also been spotted in other cold regions globally.