Dennis reluctantly agreed to “let me attend” the cancer retreat, though it was clear he wasn’t pleased. An uneasy silence marked the drive from Pacific Grove to the Santa Cruz mountains. As I traveled along the Pacific coast and through Santa Cruz, memories flooded back—after all, I’d spent five years there.

Upon arriving at the retreat, I called Dennis to assure him I had made it safely. That evening, while reading the local newspaper in the retreat’s formal living room, an odd feeling washed over me.

It was as if some unseen force urged me to take a walk. Without questioning it, I headed out, passing through a large iron gate and walking down a quiet country road. A woman stood opposite, […]

On the drive home from the hospital after my cancer surgery, I felt the chapter of my past life closing behind me. I sensed that soon, I would step through a new door, venturing into uncharted territory. The life I knew before my diagnosis and surgery felt distant, almost disconnected from who I had become. My drive and passion for running my temporary legal business had faded, but with employees depending on me, I couldn’t leave everything behind overnight.

My past seemed like a puzzle I no longer recognized, and the future held even more uncertainty. Although my intuition guided me toward the next phase, I wasn’t ready to fully embrace the unknown.

Dennis was eager for us to get back to […]

I met with Dr. Swanson in his office on Monday, where he scheduled my surgery for Thursday. Dennis wasn’t with me during this visit—he was just as overwhelmed by my cancer diagnosis as I was.

We both felt afraid, anxious, and helpless. Dennis struggled to be the caretaker I needed at the time. On the other hand, Dr. Swanson was excellent at explaining everything clearly. However, I was too distracted and stressed to fully process what he was saying.

When Dr. Swanson noticed Dennis wasn’t there, he asked why, and I told him Dennis wasn’t feeling well. Although nervous, I have a knack for compartmentalizing my emotions in tough moments. During our conversation, Dr. Swanson inquired about my religious beliefs. I explained […]