The Challenge of Caring for a Cancer Patient
On November 21, 2005, my wife Heather was diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma. Our doctor immediately explained our next options. We would need to see a specialist to treat the cancer. Our options were the local university hospital, a regional hospital, or a mesothelioma specialist in Boston.
On November 21, 2005, my wife Heather was diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma. Our doctor immediately explained our next options. We would need to see a specialist to treat the cancer. Our options were the local university hospital, a regional hospital, or a mesothelioma specialist in Boston.
I waited for my wife to
respond to the choices, but she remained silent. Her face bore an expression of
shock and disbelief. I knew she needed
help, and I knew that I needed to be the one to step up and help her. I turned
to the doctor and said, "Get us to Boston!"
Our daughter Lily had been born a little over three months prior to the diagnosis. We had expected to spend the holiday season celebrating her first Christmas. Instead, the months that followed became a harrowing ordeal. Heather had to quit working during treatment, and I was only able to work part time. In addition to my job, I now had to make travel arrangements, attend doctor's appointments with my wife, and take care of Lily. I quickly became overwhelmed by my busy schedule and the intense fear that my wife would die of her disease. I worried that I would end up as a broke and homeless single father. The support that Heather and I received from family, friends, and even complete strangers was a tremendous blessing during this difficult time. Their emotional and even financial aid helped me to manage the stress and uncertainty of being a caregiver.
Seven years since her diagnosis, Heather is now completely healthy again. After undergoing radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery, she finally beat her horrible disease. The experience of caring for a cancer patient taught me to use stubbornness and determination to my advantage. It also reminded me of the value of time.
Our daughter Lily had been born a little over three months prior to the diagnosis. We had expected to spend the holiday season celebrating her first Christmas. Instead, the months that followed became a harrowing ordeal. Heather had to quit working during treatment, and I was only able to work part time. In addition to my job, I now had to make travel arrangements, attend doctor's appointments with my wife, and take care of Lily. I quickly became overwhelmed by my busy schedule and the intense fear that my wife would die of her disease. I worried that I would end up as a broke and homeless single father. The support that Heather and I received from family, friends, and even complete strangers was a tremendous blessing during this difficult time. Their emotional and even financial aid helped me to manage the stress and uncertainty of being a caregiver.
Seven years since her diagnosis, Heather is now completely healthy again. After undergoing radiation, chemotherapy, and surgery, she finally beat her horrible disease. The experience of caring for a cancer patient taught me to use stubbornness and determination to my advantage. It also reminded me of the value of time.
While working and caring for my family, I went back to school to study information technology. My time as a caregiver gave me the strength and the courage I needed to pursue this dream of mine. I graduated with honors and was the speaker at my class' graduation. As I said during the speech, five years earlier, sitting in the doctor’s office and finding out that my wife had mesothelioma, I never could have predicted that I would be up on that stage and in that place in my life. My experiences throughout Heather's battle with cancer taught me that we are capable of accomplishing anything if we have faith in ourselves, and never stop fighting for the ones we love. Now, I hope that by sharing some of our story with others, we can help inspire them in their own battles today.
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