Episode 54: Love, Loss, and Legacy: A Conversation with Jeff on Coping with Cancer

Listen to this episode from Every Widow Thing on Spotify. In this episode of "Every Widow Thinks," we had the privilege of speaking with Jeff, a widower from Austin, who shared his deeply personal journey following the loss of his wife, Mona, in 2019. Jeff opened up about their love story, which began with a blind date in Seattle, and how they built a life together in Austin, raising their daughter, Julia.Mona's battle with a rare cancer, liposarcoma, lasted nearly nine years, during which Jeff and Mona navigated the complexities of treatment while striving to maintain a sense of normalcy for their young daughter. Resources: https://flatwater.orghttps://wondersandworries.orghttps://www.hospiceaustin.org/our-services/christopher-house/00:00:00 - Introduction to Jeff and His Story00:01:00 - Meeting Mona: A Blind Date in Seattle00:02:40 - Moving to Austin and Starting a Family00:04:20 - Mona's Cancer Diagnosis: Liposarcoma00:05:50 - The Journey of Treatment and Family Support00:07:30 - Living with Cancer: A New Normal00:08:50 - Mona's Determination to Maintain Normalcy00:10:20 - Navigating the Medical Community as Physicians00:12:00 - Traveling and Creating Memories Together00:14:10 - The Shift in Health: Rapid Progression00:16:00 - Emergency Surgery and Hospital Stays00:18:15 - Transitioning to Hospice Care00:19:40 - Final Days at the Christopher House00:21:00 - Talking to Julia About Cancer and Loss00:22:30 - Julia's Coping Mechanisms and Support00:25:00 - Reflections on Grief and Milestones00:27:10 - Adjusting to Life After Loss00:28:40 - Therapy and Support Resources00:30:30 - Planning for the Future: Wills and Wishes00:32:00 - Mona's Legacy: Letters and Memories00:34:00 - Navigating Dating After Loss00:36:00 - Julia's Growth and Challenges00:46:00 - Conclusion and Reflections on Parenting