Caregivers

The Gold Lantern

It was the night of my twenty-ninth birthday when we got the call from the hospital. It was the call we all knew was coming. After nine years of fighting multiple myeloma, my father passed away—nine years that were shaped by fear, emotional pain, and uncertainty, but also by hope.

Learning to Breathe Again

I have a problem. I don’t remember the final moments of my life before I became a caregiver. Most importantly, I don’t remember much about a day that changed my life. A day that changed my family’s life.

Dear Cancer, I am Making Ashlynne Proud

I always wondered what I would say to you, if given the chance. I had it all planned out in my head, the hatred I had for you, the anger. I have sat down to write just to delete it, and write it again.

Beyond Reason

When my 3-year-old daughter, Cecilia, was diagnosed with childhood leukemia, we were wrecked—shattered, overwhelmed, and drowning in a reality we never saw coming.

Memories of a Different Christmas

The December that changed my family’s life was during the pandemic. At first it was a little weird because I could not go to school, see my friends face to face, or go to church. Then it became kinda fun because I got to spend more time with my family.

Hindsight: I Get It Now, Mom

Not too long ago, I had the, “I Totally Understand Cancer Because Both of My Parents Had Cancer” mindset. This arrogance began soon after my mom was diagnosed with Stage 3 Ovarian Cancer in 2008. My ignorance unfortunately lasted for over a decade but was thankfully interrupted by my own cancer diagnosis.

The New Normal of Moving Forward

As I sat on my couch during a surprisingly warm April afternoon, I awaited the news my family had been dreading for weeks. I sat there watching YouTube videos on my phone while my thoughts wandered aimlessly. What if she did have it?

The Devastated Loved One

Dear Cancer,

It’s hard to even want to talk to you right now. Throughout life, I’ve seen what you are capable of, the pain you cause. You destroy lives. We try to be positive. Community and family rally around those you take hold of, but you don’t care about that.

The Now

In 2019, I was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 33. I had surgery and treatment in Boston and then moved home to Hudson Valley, New York to live close to my family. I met the love of my life shortly thereafter. After about two and a half years together, in October 2023, he was diagnosed with a rare form of kidney cancer.

Hope

We have a tree called Hope. The anniversary of Matt’s diagnosis is a painful day for us; there was no happiness, so we do not celebrate it. Instead, we celebrate the anniversary of his completion of treatment.