When Life Changes Overnight: How We Navigated a Year of Cancer and Recovery
Over the past year, life pulled me in a direction I never expected. Last spring, my husband was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. It was a shock—one of those moments that instantly shifts your world. We knew something wasn’t right, but nothing pointed to something as serious as cancer. From that moment on, our lives revolved around doctor’s appointments, treatments, and trips to Mayo Clinic.
I stepped away from coaching to focus entirely on my family—my husband, our two boys, and navigating the weight of it all. I am beyond grateful that I had the ability to pause and be present during that time. In October, my husband underwent a major surgery to remove his entire esophagus. Because we caught it early, the doctors were able to remove the cancer before it spread, something that isn’t often the case with this aggressive disease. It was an intense recovery, both physically and emotionally, but today, we are on the other side of it. We are adjusting to a new normal—one that includes his "stomaphagus" (our name for the new anatomy created from his stomach), deep gratitude, and a fresh perspective on life.
Through this experience, I’ve gained a whole new appreciation for the strength of caregivers, the resilience of the human body, and the importance of self-care. Being a caregiver for my husband while also supporting our children stretched me in ways I never thought possible. There were days when I felt like I was barely holding it together—managing his medical needs, helping him through recovery, caring for the kids, keeping up with the house, and simply making sure we all kept moving forward. The mental, emotional, and physical toll was immense, and yet, we adapted.
One of the biggest lessons I learned is that healing—whether for a patient or a caregiver—happens in small, intentional steps. There’s no shortcut, no perfect plan. Some days, I had the capacity to take care of everything; other days, I simply did what I could and let the rest go. And that had to be enough.
For me, self-care during this time looked like:
Seeking support from a therapist
Allowing myself to be honest with family and friends about how I was really doing
Accepting help in all its forms—meals, childcare, even just a listening ear
Returning to work part-time to regain a sense of normalcy
Carving out small moments for myself, whether that was sitting in the sauna, walking outside, or simply breathing deeply in a quiet space
Giving myself (and my family) grace—knowing that messy houses, takeout dinners, and undone to-do lists were okay
Moving forward in whatever way I could, even if it was just one small step at a time
Learning to sit with hard emotions rather than fight them
It’s always the small things. The small choices we make each day determine how we move through life’s challenges. In wellness, in healing, and in growth, the tiniest steps add up over time. And on the days when we fall? We lean on others. Sometimes we pause, sometimes we crawl, but eventually, we rise.
As I step back into coaching, I bring with me a renewed sense of purpose. I know firsthand how hard it is to prioritize yourself when life feels overwhelming. I know what it’s like to feel exhausted, stretched thin, and unsure of how to move forward. And I also know that small, sustainable steps—done with compassion and patience—can lead to real change.
My word for this year is Rise. That’s what I’m doing—slowly, intentionally, and with gratitude. Cancer took a lot from us, but it didn’t take my husband, and it didn’t take our hope. I am here, ready to support others in their journey, whether that means recovering from a hard season, navigating midlife changes, or simply figuring out what wellness looks like in this phase of life. If you’re ready to take that next step, I’d love to walk alongside you.
Let’s rise together.
If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of where to begin, I’d love to help. Book a free call and let’s talk about what support looks like for you.
