It’s been one year since Andy, my husband, came home from a doctor’s appointment and said the words “I have cancer“.
In the moments that followed my heart went to a very dark place, fear and the unknown took over. This is someone I love beyond words and that I was supposed to spend the rest of my life with. I feared losing him. It would take many days for us to realize that his testicular cancer diagnosis wasn’t a death sentence because it was caught early (and with many cancers, early detection is so important!)
Surgery, chemotherapy, blood tests, scans, X-Rays, appointment after appointment would consume our next many months. Surrounded by family and friends, we tackled care giving, parenting and recovery as a village. We were blessed.
When I think about that time, but a short year ago, it’s easy to go back to the dark places. I still will burst into random tears unexpectedly. My heart sinks every time I hear about cancer, families being affected or how his recovery could have been so much worse.
As he’s been home recovering we have celebrated life together. The kids forget why he’s home but are happy to have him. At times I realize that our oldest does remember sometimes. When Andy has a band aid now, he asks if he’s sick, or if he’ll feel better ‘after Christmas’ (Andy’s chemo ended the week of Christmas, and we kept telling him he would feel better after Christmas).
But here we are. I type this as they kids sit with him on the couch on a beautiful morning. Surprisingly, we laughed a lot. That’s how we deal is with kindness and laughter. We are eternally grateful to the people in our lives who helped make each day a little bit easier.
And now we get to look at the future. Sure, he will have tests and scans going forward but we have every reason to believe that he will tick the ‘cured’ box.
One year later and we are living life. Together. In sickness and in health indeed….
“My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.” — Jack Layton
This is a beautiful, moving post. I’m so so happy for your happy ending, and yet I’m still tearing up as I type this.
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So moving Becky. I’m also happy you have a happy ending and admire the way you survived the last year with nothing but positive energy, laughter and kindness.
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Living and loving life sounds so simple but I don’t think many could have done it as well as I think you guys did I the last year. I am so glad you have co e through this hard time but I think your positive energy must have really helped too. *hugs*
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I am glad that you are looking back on the last year, as hard and horrible as it was, together.
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i remember that day, last year. clearly.
and i can not tell you how wonderful reading that has made today.
as i now sit here, watching my sister go through treatment for cancer, i am amazed how exactly quickly things can turn your world upside down.
lots of love to you guys:)
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Wishing your family a long lifetime of happiness and health!
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We all held our breath and hoped with you and your family. So happy that a year later this is where you are. xoxo
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The thought of a child’s illness, no matter their age, is overwhelming. I took strength from your love and devotion to each other.
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Thank you so much for sharing this amazing story, Rebecca! We have shared with our own community, hoping to pass on your inspiration and hope.
Prologics recently posted..Men’s Health Series: The Types and Levels of Prostate Cancer
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I tried to comment the day this arrived in my in-box but the link wouldn’t work. In any case I’m here now and just want to say that I’m so happy that a year later, you are able to write this lovely and happy post. Continued best wishes for a clean bill of health for Andy.
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You are such a strong and loving family who has gotten through the past year with such grace. I’m so so so happy that Andy is doing so well and wishing you and everyone much health.
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[...] year, my friend Rebecca’s husband was diagnosed with testicular cancer. A year later, having gone through treatment, he is doing really well. Her family’s ordeal helped raise [...]