Facing Death Together

Facing Death Together is a true story of how a loving marriage of 16 years was suddenly turned upside down after a routine visit to the doctor because of constipation. No one in the family suspected the traumatic reality of facing an unexpected stage 4 terminal cancer diagnosis. In July 2018, an oncologist told them just two weeks earlier, they had nothing to worry about. A few weeks later, the same doctor enters the room and tells us that Joyce, my dear loving wife, has stage four cancer with 6-18 months to live. This story reveals the unexpected, sometimes traumatic, life changing experiences of communicating with doctors, insurance companies, health care providers, and family. Joyce's dying wish requested that I start writing this book after her third month of chemo. She made me promise to publish this book so that others would know and understand what happens when someone is given a stage 4 cancer diagnosis and the unconscious, unpredictable consequences of choosing a quantiy of life. Her choice of choosing to die at home placed a burden on her loving family. Joyce was fortunate to die before COVID-19. This story shares warnings worthy of an afternoon reading to help prepare anyone who may have someone with a terminal illness and what to expect during the coming months after receiving a terminal illness diagnosis.