My Husband of One Year Has Cancer: How I am Dealing

The news of cancer is always a somber event. When it was confirmed this past week that my husband has a rare type of cancer it was devastating. He is just 36 years old; I, 24. Just this past February we celebrated our 1 year anniversary. We enjoy fishing at the beach, road trips, and most of all, time with each other. News of this nature changes your life perspective completely.

As is normal, the first 24-48 hours are probably some of the toughest times you face emotionally. You go through anger, resentment, disappointment, fear, and eventually, when all the tears have dried, you come to some sort of peace. Being a believer in Christ has helped me immensely in dealing with this news. Those who are not believers choose meditation and positive thinking as ways to deal with devastating news.

Walking into that waiting room I felt anxiousness; I was ready for my husband to be in and out of the test and us to get medication and move on with our lives. When the Dr. announced that it was cancer, my brain ceased any rational thoughts and I broke down. At 24 years old, as a newlywed, you never expect your partner to have something this serious.

As a couple, we have held together and stayed positive. Some of the things that have been helpful are for daily prayer and devotional. I keep my faith that we will pull through this with the love of God, family and friends.

Another thing that has helped me greatly, has been to stop looking at numbers and statistics. Although many Dr's and scientists only function through these, we choose not to believe in patterns. We know that if we stay positive, our outlook and results are so much more encouraging. We choose not to be a number, but to be human and strong.

Life changes so drastically when you find out news of this nature. Your priorities and perspective does a 180 turn. When coming upon this serious news, you need to take things in stride. Breathing techniques, long warm baths, yoga, meditation and prayer are all things that relieve stress and allow you to rationally think instead of letting your emotions carry you to a peak you cannot handle.

It is important you be strong and positive for your partner. Whether you feel that way or not, showing them that you will be there through every step of the process, and talking positive about the outcome, is vital to the success of the treatment.

Most of all, it is best to surround yourself with positive. Ask for help from others, reach out to those around you, and take time to enjoy each other's company. Listen to what your partner is telling you about their needs instead of forcing questions upon them.

Finding out a diagnosis of cancer is devastating. However, with a positive outlook, and strong support for each other, the outcome of cancer can be a positive one. You find how appreciative you are of each other, how faithful you are in things above.

I wish that none of you ever has to walk down this road, but if you do, take it in stride and keep your head high. Be connected and positive throughout, and your results will reflect that.