Brave Hearts: A Cancer Journey in NJ

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Is there anyone untouched by cancer? It feels like an insidious enemy, creeping in when life seems perfectly normal.

One day you’re enjoying the routine, and the next, you’re grappling with a diagnosis that changes everything.

Hearing “You have cancer” hits like a punch to the gut. In that moment, nothing else matters.

When You Least Expect it

My family has faced this harsh reality several times.

When my father was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, time seemed to stand still. I remember the shock as I tried to process the news.

I accompanied him to chemotherapy sessions, witnessing the toll it took. It felt surreal—how could this be happening?

Ten years have passed since then, and I’m grateful that my father emerged victorious. But our journey was far from over.

Shocking News

Just before moving back to New Jersey from South Carolina, my wife went for a routine mammogram.

With a family history of cancer, she was proactive about her health. We were blindsided when the doctor called with the news: she needed further tests.

We assured ourselves it was probably precautionary, but soon came the diagnosis—breast cancer.
I remember the overwhelming fear coursing through me. I wanted to be strong for her, to project positivity, but all I could think was, “How can this be?” We were moving, which added to the chaos.

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I instinctively proclaimed that we would fight this together. In hindsight, I realized that it’s easy to adopt that brave front when you’re not the one facing the illness.

My wife, a true Jersey girl with an indomitable spirit, surprised me with her determination.

She fought with incredible strength, displaying her fierce attitude throughout the ordeal. Yet there were moments when the weight of it all became too much, and I saw her break down.

In those times, I struggled to find the right words. I learned there often are no right words—there’s just cancer.

Her treatment journey involved surgery to remove the cancerous cells followed by radiation. Throughout it all, my wife fought like a warrior.

Today, she’s cancer-free and diligent about her regular check-ups.

To all the women out there: please get those mammograms. They save lives.

Our experience has taught us the value of vigilance and the importance of facing fear head-on.

Together, we navigated the darkness, emerging stronger and more resilient than before. Cancer may come uninvited, but we have the power to fight back.

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