My Story: The Hardest Part Wasn't the Cancer

In 2022, I was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. It had spread to my spine and spinal cord. I was paralyzed from the chest down when they found it. My organs were shutting down. They did emergency surgery on my back to alleviate some of the pain. They said I would probably not walk again. That I would probably not leave the hospital. I had days left. I was so far along there was nothing they would do...

A promise to live

When I woke up from surgery, I walked. Not very fast, and not without help, but I walked. They said I had a strong will to live. My wife was devastated. I made her a promise that I wouldn't die.

Over the next 3 years, I did 14 radiation treatments, 8 8-hour chemo treatments, and 2 years of emotional therapy treatments, on top of having a stroke, gallbladder surgery, and hernia surgery plus lots of physical therapy. The whole time I was watching my wife get more and more distant. I fought this with everything for her.

The breaking point

I'm trying to go back to work soon. I had planned to go back last month, but I broke my leg. I broke it just walking across the floor. No one was home. She had left earlier, saying she was going to her sister's and would not be back until the next day. I crawled to the front door and yelled for help for 3 hours before anyone heard me. I was taken to the hospital by ambulance.

I called her from the emergency room. She hung up on me and left me there. I had to get a ride from someone else.

Now she says we are through. She does not talk to me at all. This shit sucks. I WISH I WOULD HAVE LET THE CANCER WIN.