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Riding the Rollercoaster of Cancer Treatment
Living Day by Day When the Track Ahead Isn’t Clear
Cancer doesn’t follow a straight line.
It’s not a mountain you climb steadily upward, reaching the summit with a triumphant exhale. It’s more like a roller coaster — one you never chose to board but find yourself strapped into, hurtling through highs and lows, twists and turns, with no clear end in sight.
For months, my wife and I lived on that ride.
One day, there would be good news — tumors shrinking, blood test results improving, a scan showing progress. The next day, it felt like the tracks had collapsed beneath us — a new complication, an unplanned surgery, another round of brutal treatments. The emotional whiplash was relentless, and there was no manual to prepare you for it.
Up and down and round and round.
Those who have been exposed to the reality of cancer know what it’s like.
When the Ride Starts
It began in September 2023 with a diagnosis we didn’t see coming: stage 4 cancer. At first, it felt like being yanked to the top of the first hill, suspended in that horrible moment of anticipation. You don’t know what’s ahead, but you know it’s going to change everything.