A Bystander In My Wife’s Cancer Journey
6 years ago my wife contracted metastatic breast cancer (TNBC) and was declared “cancer free” following a year of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Now in 2024, the evil returns in a different form and in a different way requiring a completely new and devastating treatment approach. As a bystander to a loved one’s cancer journey, there seems to be little we can do to support these women. I talk about my wife’s journey, the choices she had to make and the little things partners can do to support them on their path to recovery. This isn’t really a wood shop topic at all, just now a large part of our lives. This disease most likely affects someone you know.
- Chapter One – Recovery – Day One
- Chapter Two – Summer of 2017
- Chapter Three – The Stressful Years
- Chapter Four – Bilateral Mastectomy
- Chapter Five – Get Me The Leeches
- Chapter Six – Angry Tissue
- Chapter Seven – Cancer Free
- Epilogue – The Final Chapter
The Family Woodworker 
2 responses to “Breast Cancer Journey”
Hello. I am a 70 year old woman, recently retired, who has decided to learn woodworking in my old age. I found your bird hours condo plan and am going to give that a try. In the process of looking at your website, I came across your and your wife’s cancer journeys (yes, you are both on this journey). You write so beautifully about what’s involved and the toll it takes; the ups and downs; the will to keep moving forward. I want to send you both my heartfelt wishes for healing and health.
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Deborah, Thanks so much for your kind wishes. Shirley is doing very well now that all procedures are done, done, done. As for woodworking… there’s nothing quite like making cool and useful stuff with your hands. Take good care, follow all the tool safety instructions and be a maker!
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