September 13, 2014, was beautiful fall day. It was my wedding day. I was 36, and after years of being single, I had met the gal of my dreams. Betsy had similarly waited for years to get married and was 32.
Two days later, we were on an airplane flying out to our honeymoon, and Betsy got sick. Throughout our honeymoon, Betsy was kind of under the weather, but we didn’t think anything of it and just assumed she had some bug. Over the next couple of months, Betsy would be feeling good but would run fevers and be moderately sick every few weeks. After a time or two of that, we knew that something was wrong, and Betsy went to the doctor.
After several months of trying to figure out the problem, we got the worst case scenario when we were told that Betsy had stage IV cancer. She would need surgery to have a chance to survive, but she had an excessive amount of cancer to have the surgery. We decided to take a shot at saving her life and put Betsy on a very tough chemo regimen. For four months, Betsy was lost in a fog of chemo and misery as she suffered through a horrible treatment cycle.
In April 2015, we got a minor miracle when we were told that she was eligible for surgery. Betsy had two surgeries over the summer of 2015, which were brutal. However, we were ecstatic that Betsy had gotten the surgery and had a chance to survive her cancer.
In July 2015, our hopes were dashed when we found out that her cancer had come back and had spread. At that point, her doctors told us that Betsy was incurable and that her cancer would kill her. Since then, Betsy has been on various treatments, and we’ve suffered ups and downs.
We go up as Betsy’s cancer gets pushed back, but then we get knocked back down as each treatment stops working and her cancer spreads. As of January 2017, we have used up many treatment options and have few options left. We know the score and fear Betsy has little time left.
We remain hopeful that a trial may help her, but as Betsy fails to qualify for trials and her standard treatment options dwindle, we know that our hope is likely more of an illusion. However, our real hope is not in Betsy surviving cancer. We will all die one day. Our real hope is in Jesus Christ and his sacrifice and love for us. So, we cling to that and not to things of this world.
Editor’s Note: We regret to say that Daniel’s wife Betsy passed away on March 3, 2017 from colon cancer. She was just 34-years-old. With his permission, we have published his story as written.
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My husband Jon was faces of blue March 2014. 10 days after it posted he also lost his battle to colon cancer at age of 53. He survived 19 months from diagnosis stage 4. I am so sorry your time was so short with your beautiful wife. I was blessed 31 years. Life is so unpredictable. You will forever know how unimportant little problems are. You will be forever a stronger person. I remarried just a few weeks ago and the week before I was diagnosed with cancer. My journey changed from caregiver to the survivor. Thanks for sharing your story. We all must know our body and if it does not feel right demand answers. Too many times it is too late. Doctors need to be more aware. Colon cancer does not discriminate., just look at the age of your Betsy. So glad you were both believers. May God continue to carry you as you face this time of grieving. God bless you and all who loved your wife.
Thank you for sharing both your stories. I’m learning to appreciate and re appreciate this life. With the good, the bad, the ugly, and uglier…their are beats and breaths worth every moment and trusting in this. Sending many hugs and love to you all. Thanks again. – Just Pete
I lost my father on February 4th 2017 and hour and ten mins after his 69th birthday, from colon stage 5 cancer. He found out that he had it in November 2016. I am still grieving his passing my deepest and sincerest condolences to you and her family
I am so sorry. May she Rest In Peace. I’ve had colon cancer twice and multiple surgeries. I know it devastates. Thinking of you during this challenging time….