Thanks to cancer clinical trials, engaged patients, and a devoted spouse, I have lived to see my silver wedding anniversary.
I don’t know which is more amazing – that I’ve lived six years beyond a diagnosis of advanced lung cancer (and currently have no evidence disease), or that two strong-willed, opinionated engineers have shared a house for 25 years without killing each other. I think the second might be a rarer occurrence.
My cancer diagnosis definitely put a strain on our marriage, and I know Gerry struggled at times as he watched me experience the discomforts, losses, dashed hopes, and side effects of living with lung cancer as a chronic illness. Oddly, cancer has also strengthened our marriage. It has caused both of us to focus more on what’s really important, to be more tolerant of each other’s idiosyncrasies (we got a lot), and to find more ways to spend time together.
My husband has gradually become more involved in supporting my patient advocacy work. He’s met people that I have helped, and he can see the purpose and meaning it gives me. He said he wanted to help me have that in my life. (sniff sniff) Appropriately, hubby and I going to celebrate our 25th anniversary at the ASCO Annual Meeting in Chicago this weekend. He’ll be escorting me to events since I’ll still using a knee scooter after foot surgery (isn’t he sweet?). We’re hoping he’ll be able to watch me give my first-ever ASCO presentation, despite having only a guest badge.
So, happy anniversary, Gerry. Thanks for sticking with me for better or worse. Love you!
Gerry and Janet blowing off steam in Yellowstone, 2013.
P.S. I’m not a TOTAL nerd. We will also be celebrating our anniversary with a Mediterranean cruise in the fall. See, there are really cool historical sites in Rome, Athens, and Israel …
Gray Connections 
Congrats on both accounts, I follow your blog, discussed it with my oncologist, am following in your footsteps. In my fourth year on Xalkori. August will hopefully be the beginning of my fifth year and September 9th, our 50th anniversary.
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Congratulations to you as well!, Beverly! Happy early anniversary. Hope we both have many more years of living!
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Happy anniversary and congratulations to both you and Gerry! I can confirm that a dire diagnosis and serious chronic illness is a challenge for any marriage. It’s good to hear that you have come through some hard times with a stronger relationship and that you are still exploring the world together.
ASCO better let you sneak Gerry into your talk! I have a feeling that you will have some powerful allies on the scene who will help make it so.
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Thanks, Anita!
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Congratulations on the silver anniversary! We are closing in on 40 next year And I fully intend to be here to celebrate it.
And how fitting you will be at Asco and addressing it. Gerry better be right there with you. Congratulations on both accomplishments and best of luck at talk.
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Thanks, Barbara!
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Congratulations, Gerry–wishing you many more!!
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Thank you, Micki.
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Happy Anniversary! I always love catching up with you on your blog. You are one of the most inspirational woman I have ever had the privilege to know. You are a total ROCK STAR in my book!
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Thank you!
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Hi Janet. Congrats on your sliver anniversary and your health! Den and I celebrate 40 this summer….. with challenges, of course, but not such as yours. Your writing is inspiring and I love how your sense of humor and “nerdiness” come through to enlighten, brighten, encourage and even entertain folks in frightening circumstances — as well as support cancer research.
Penny
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