The Cancer Journey. The Story Untold (5/31/25)

Cancer not only tears through the body, but also rips through the spirit of a person.

In today's newsletter, we take a break from business content to pause for a moment and recognize everyone who has faced cancer . We honor those who have been lost, and hold in high esteem the ones who have survived.

This includes my husband. 

National Cancer Survivors Day is celebrated on June 1, 2025.

The event is organized by the National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for cancer survivors by raising awareness of the ongoing challenges they face.

We are no stranger to the challenges.

At 44 years old, my husband was diagnosed with brain cancer. His diagnosis is glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive types of cancer and is nearly always fatal, with the average person living 12-15 months.

He has now surpassed year five, by the grace of God and daily practices that I attribute to his longevity.

Cancer not only tears through the body, but also rips through the spirit of a person.

Families are put under extreme stress. 

Children don't understand. 

Death knocks at the door and challenges faith. 

Business leaders often keep their personal struggle, or the struggle of their loved one hidden from view.

One in three people will experience cancer in their lifetime.

You or a loved one may be affected by cancer.

 It is also very likely you have experienced a current or recent hardship, that, like cancer, has brought your spirit down.

Here are three tools that I attribute to my husband's longevity.

First, Advocate for yourself and others.

Too few people advocate for themselves, and the results can be more catastrophic than they need to be.

Within three weeks he was bedridden, days away from end of life care. 

My back was up against the wall, and in tears, all I could do was pause and think. 

Then I asked myself the question that so few people ask. 

Is there anything else I can do? 

It was followed by these questions. 

What resources do I have? 

How quickly can I move on this? 

What if he were not to die? 

It was because of these series of questions, that I became very vocal about our challenge with an urgent plea to my network. 

I simply put out a desparate call for help. 

By the grace of God, a collegue in Orange County answered my call. 

"There's a surgeon here," she said. "He helped my friend who is also suffering from brain cancer." 

I picked up the phone and made the calls.  

I was relentless and did not give up. 

Two weeks later he was going in for the six hour surgery that ultimately would be a catalyst to save his life. 

All because I advocated for myself and for the one I love. 

You have this same power. 

You can advocate for yourself. 

You can advocate for your parents. 

You can advocate for your loved ones. 

It starts with simply stepping up and speaking out, and doing it with a level of confidence that you will succeed.

Second, advocate for your health.

Every person has an opinion on what it takes to optimize your health.

It is topic that has endless solutions.

Keto. 75hard. Carnivore Diet. Lift heavy. Lift light. Eat organic. Find good doctors. Cancer screenings. Biohacking. Fresh air. Clean water. Biohacking. 

Here is the simple answer.

Do what works for you.

It starts by awareness of what it means to live a healthy life for you.

Sometimes it is just a simple set of principles practiced daily, and consistently throughout your life.

Here are a few simple practices we have integrated into our lives:

Clean eating.  

Investing in grass fed meats and wild caught fish (preferrably local).

Organic produce in our household is essential.  

Replacing vegetable oil with good qualiy olive oil and ghee (clarified butter). 

Cooking in six-seven days per week, and meal planning on Sunday afternoons.

Even our children are on board and recognizing the need for healthy choices on a consistent basis.

With so many delivery options, you can build out a healthier diet for you and your family.

Clean water.

Spring water from a spring is proven to be the best water source, however for many people this is not feasible. 

We use an alkaline water filter which we installed in 2020.  

Whole house water filtration systems are another option. 

Invest in yourself by investing in clean water.

Regular health check ups and creative health solutions.

Since my husband's diagnosis, we have been more intently focused on the health of our entire family.

Shortly after he was diagnosed for cancer, I went in for my check up and complained of several pains.

Too many people neglect the warning signs that are given by our body.

Do the cancer screenings.

Then, use all the tools in your toolbox to build and optimize your health.

Here are a few ideas to get you started as you build your tools.

Research vitamins and then make them part of your life.

Find your healthy sleep.

Manage your stress.

Make optimal health a life goal. 

Optimize your health daily. 

Build healthy habits. 

Find the health formula that works for you.

Third, always have a positive attitude and be forward thinking. 

Ryan Holiday said, "The obstacle in the path becomes the path. Never forget, within every obstacle is an opportunity to improve our condition."

As my husband went through cancer treatment early in his diagnosis and as he was learning to walk again, I stood by his side and encouraged him along the way with a positive attitude filled with hope, not focusing on the challenge, but focusing on the opportunities.

Now five years later, we continue to live with a positive forward thinking attitude in our household, in our relationship, and in our conversations with others.

Just like with optimal health, this is a process.

It takes awareness and constantly working to improve our attitude towards the world.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

Instead of focusing on what could go wrong, focus on what will go right. 

Wake up with an appreciation of each day. 

Handle conflicts as they come, and never go to bed angry. 

Spend time with positive people who are forward thinking, and minimize the interactions with negative people who can steal your joy. 

Don't minimize frustrations, challenges, and headaches. Instead, recognize them and choose to have an attitude with no choice but to rise above them. 

Be thankful in all circumstances. 

Be kind to yourself and others. 

Find projects that light up your spirit. 

Plan a trip. 

Dream. Build. Create. 

Do it with a positive attitude.

1. Advocate for yourself and others.

2. Advocate for your health.

3. Always have a positive attitude and be forward thinking.

You never know what curveballs will be thrown your way, both in life and business. 

But, as you build your resilience, you will find curveballs to simply be a bump in the road that you can face as they come.