If there are 4 words in the English language which are scarier than the 3 words, “you have cancer,” they are “your cancer is back.” A little over a week ago, Anne heard those words. Our family has been once again placed into a state of shock and we are once again doing everything we can to aggressively attack the monster inside her.
I had encouraged Anne to write about her experience between the cancers. However, during that time she had hoped to put cancer behind her and spend her thinking time on other topics. I completely understood. The cancer world is hard, it is often dark, and it is often lonely.
The physical labor is hard, the drugs are hard, the alternative treatments are hard, the mental gymnastics are hard. However it also is a tender time and it is easy to focus on what is most important, it is easy to show your love for each other, it is easy to hold on to each other for comfort.
It is scary and that can feel dark. Death becomes a real topic of discussion. Disease is never far from the center of any discussion, but so is healing, so is our purpose, our bonds and the incredible blessings we have received.
The loneliness is also real. I don’t know what it is like to be the one with cancer, Anne doesn’t know what it is like to watch the person you love with cancer. However, that is a topic for another day because although there is a lonely component to this struggle, there has also been an outpouring of love and support, which Anne has written about and that love and support sustain us.
Thanks to all who have read this blog, commented and emailed us. It has been a privilege to share our travel experiences and our readjustment, as awkward as it has been, with our readers.
{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }
Good luck you guys. I’ve enjoyed reading your blog very much and know you can get this behind you. I look forward to your trip and your beautiful pictures and memories to come!
You remain in our thoughts and prayers.
Sending love,
Mike, Diane, Logan, Hunter, and Izzy
I’m been reading your blog since your fabulous trip and have been wishing our family were able to do something similar. I’m sorry to hear about Anne’s setback, but you have the whole world wishing you well, sending positive energy and prayers your way. I hope that will help her. Good luck!
Tom and Anne – we love you more than we can possible express. You are in our prayers constantly. We are praying for a strong fight and peace as well as the will to conquer all that stands in Anne’s way. You are an amazing couple and together the two of you can achieve anything. Each of you need to be a support for the other – and sometimes there is resistance in that support. And that is okay – just hold hands while you fight cancer together.
We love you and miss you.
Tom-
You are in our hearts and prayers….
Ron and Windy
Tom, our thoughts and prayers are with you, Anne and your whole family. Know that there’s a whole world of people out here who feel as though we have gotten to know you through your blog and are fighting this battle with you.
My very best wishes to you, Anne and the rest of you families. This is a rode I’ve traveled more than once, so will be keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Our heart and prayers are with you! Keep up the fight!
Bret and Kimberly
I have also been following your story as I also enjoy travelling extensively with my now 8 year old daughter. I also share the unfortunate situation of having a cancer diagnosis in 2008 and three days before leaving for our Middle Easter trip last fall, I was told those unfortunate words ”the cancer is back”…I have recently finished chemo and am planning a Scandinavian trip with my daughter. My husband passed away (from cancer) a few years ago so I know what it`s like to have cancer and to watch the person you love have cancer! Know that my thoughts are with you as you fight this next battle!!!
Tom, thanks for sharing this setback. Our prayers are with all of you. Anne is a survivor and will beat this thing.
-Dick and Merrilee
We’ll be praying for your family. God Bless.
Lise,
Thank you for sharing and thank you for being an example and inspiration. All our best to you and your daughter.
Tom
My prayers continue to be with you and your family. Your family has truly been an inspiration to me and I look forward to hearing about your next adventure. God bless!
Wow,…we haven’t gone blog surfing in a very long while, and the landscape has changed drastically since our last visit to “six”. You inspired us on many occasions before we ever knew of your illness Anne and Tom, but now we are overwhelmed by your courage. At the same time, we are heartbroken to hear of your continued struggle. We pray for you to claim your healing from the great physician and are waiting to be awestruck at the miracle He performs on you! Blessings in abundance.
Kim, Kevin, Aaron and Brendan Spiers
Tom,
Best to you and Anne.
Dave
Thanks for your thoughts and prayers and kudos to you for your great trip. Keep that fire alive.
Sonji,
Thanks for the prayers, keep them coming and all our best to you.
Tom
Thanks and all our best to you.
She is already a survivor and she can be again. Thanks
Tom
Thanks to the Englands. Keep the prayers coming.
Kelley We know we are not alone in this and we gain strength and inspiration from all those who have traveled this road before us. Thanks
Geoff thanks for fighting with us.
Thanks Ron and Windy, all our best back to your whole family.
Thanks sis. We are supported in many different ways. We love you and miss you.
Rosemary – go for it!
Thanks and all our best to the Godbys
Paul, thanks and hopefully there will be many future pics and memories.
You will always be in my heart and prayers…:) i wish you well… let me know if there is anything at all that i can help you with.
I’m sorry to hear this terrible news. Anne can totally kick cancer’s butt again! Your family is in my prayers.