The gift of cancer

Over the years we had our ups and downs, like all marriages. I was often neglectful and ignored our relationship. In short, I took it for granted.

But, now suddenly, it was going to be taken from me. And all the lucky things I’d gotten to do and interesting people I’d met in my life were meaningless. Instantly, I was filled with regret for all the days I’d wasted not loving Annie more and better. And I could see the pain and fear in our young daughters’ eyes as they were thinking not just of losing their mother but also thinking, “Who’s going to do, like, everything?!”

But Annie had massive attitude. Damned if she was going to let those girls be raised alone by me and not see her grandchildren. When told she was in a 15 percent survival category, Annie just stuck her chin up and said, “Well, I sure feel sorry for those other 85 percent.” And despite radical radiation, aggressive chemo, and surgery to take out basically all non-essential organs, Annie beat the terrible odds. She turned out to be Lance Armstrong in a skirt.

And, suddenly, my lucky streak was alive again.

And Annie and I fell in love all over again. We refer to the gift of cancer, because despite the hell she went through, it delivered us heaven on earth. It gave us gratitude for every blessed second we have together.