A Journey of Cancer, A Journey of Faith

My wife, Kris, lived with breast cancer for over 16 years. My intentions for writing this account is twofold: 1.To help me with the grieving process, and 2.To help others with cancer or their caregivers by re-counting how our family dealt with situations you, too, may experience.

Kris' journey of cancer is recalled in its clinical progression, as is her journey from lax Catholic to one with renewed faith, hope, and finally acceptance.

I share the knowledge we gained and offer suggestions on several topics. 

One out of every eight women in the U.S. is predicted to develop breast cancer. My wife, Kris, was one who lived with breast cancer for over 16 years.

Her story is told in A Journey of Cancer, A Journey of Faith: Our Story and What I Learned. Kris traveled, played sports, raised a daughter, was a loving wife, and devoted friend through it all. Our family learned many things, which I recount for the reader including:

·      Steps to acceptance and how they differ for patient and support

·      Dealing with setbacks and recurrences

·      Using both a physical and spiritual approach to cancer

·      The relationship between you and your doctor(s)

·      Hair loss in chemo and loss of body parts

·      Acceptance of the patient’s ‘bucket list’ behavior

·      How we approached God for help

·     How my daughter and I dealt with grief

As the title suggests this is a story about journeying. Kris’ journey of cancer is recalled in its clinical progression. 

Another journey is of Kris’ faith. Although raised Catholic, she had become lax. My deeper faith led us to seek Divine Intervention through healing services and a pilgrimage to Lourdes, France. Eventually, Kris returned to the Church and with a renewed faith, hope, and, finally, acceptance. 

There is also the journey of a family that laughs and enjoys life through the lows, the highs, and the increased caregiving involved. Kris was often the more comfortable with her situation, as with the third appearance of the cancer: 

To me this was just a setback, but Kris asked Dr. Scalzo outright, “How long do I have?” I admit I had not thought in those terms. As Kris had beaten it twice I assumed this too was beatable. Dr. Scalzo’s forthright answer caught me more by surprise than it did Kris. “Seven years, five years, three years depending on how it progresses” was his reply. Kris appeared much more secure in this than I was.  I suspected Kris was being brave for Sarah and me. She later wrote, “There is not a day that goes by that I do not plan my funeral or cry.” And yet to me she had said, “If it can be seven good years, that’s ok”. 

A Journey of Cancer, A Journey of Faith: Our Story and What I Learned will speak to patients, caregivers, families and friends