Keeping Faith Through Bladder Cancer: A Wife Shares Her Story

Brooke Phillips, CWCMS
Editor | Shield HealthCare
08/04/14  7:14 PM PST
Faith Through Bladder Cancer

Caregiver Story Spotlight | 2013 Shield HealthCare “What Makes Caregiving Rewarding?” Story Contest

Special thanks to Linda L. for sharing her story…

“What makes caregiving rewarding? The joy of being alive each day and seeing my husband healthy. In 2006 my husband (Joe) was told he had bladder cancer. The doctors first removed a large tumor. Then they decided it was best to remove the bladder and nearby organs. He was stage four, his chances for recovery were slim.

The normal hospital stay for this is 10 days; Joe was in for six weeks, mostly in ICU. We prayed with family & friends. Next was Chemo, 8 months, this made him so sick. He always kept his faith, through good days and lots of bad ones. The hardship part for me, as his caregiver, was to see the person I love the most in pain and not be able to help him. I could help him to eat right, give him his meds, comfort him and pray for it to get better.

The first 30 years of our marriage he was never sick, always active. Through everything, Joe still looked forward. He stayed very driven, he kept his faith. In 2008, his dream came true: we were able to take our daughter and her young family to the Azores where Joe was born. It was not easy, he was very weak at times, needed lots of rest time. But we did have his dream.

This year the Oncologist told us Joe is cancer free. He still has bags, tubes, and lots meds to keep him going. To me just to see his face when he plays with our grandchildren, showing them how to do things, telling them stories about the old country – this makes it all worth the bad times.

Somehow my mind blocks out the very bad times. It’s hard to believe we went through so much. Today life is good, that’s what’s important: caring for my love!”

Shield HealthCare | Medical Supplies For Care At Home Since 1957

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3 comments

  1. Thank you for sharing your story with all
    Of us people. Sharing is so important
    For all of us that wonder about health issues
    So glad everything turned out well for your
    Husband & you & family.
    God Bless .
    Rev. Chris Montgomery

  2. What a beautiful story of how much love and faith help to heal the person that is ill as well as the family. Gave me some hope as I face a major surgery, not cancer but scared of the outcome as it will affect my ability to walk. Thanks for sharing your experience.

  3. THIS STORY IS SO TOUCHING. YOUR HUSBAND WENT THROUGH SO MUCH AND YOUR FAMILY. I AM SO HAPPY TO HEAR HE IS CANCER FREE. JESUS IS ALWAY’S THERE WHEN WE NEED HIM. MAY YOUR HUSBAND AND YOU AND YOUR FAMILY & FRIENDS HAVE MANY MORE BLESSINGS TO COME. YOU SOUND LIKE SUCH A WONDERFUL COUPLE. I HAVE MY BLADDER ISSUES ALSO , BUT THANK THE LORD NO CANCER. PLUSS LOTS OF OTHER HEALTH ISSUES. BUT NEVER GIVE UP AND BE POSITIVE AS YOU CAN, THINGS CAN AND DO GET BETTER. GOD’S BLESSINGS TO ALL OF YOU.

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