Daryl Wood's Blog

Today as I shredded mounds of paperwork from my beloved Doug’s 6 1/2 years of treatment I walked through the memories of all that he endured. The countless applications for medication, devices, referrals, etc. And I didn’t even get to the daily logs of drugs, activity and appointments. It was a full time occupation and Doug did it with such grace and humility and courage. It was a tough road but hand in hand we did the best we could together, every step of the way.

Doug and I had attended very helpful webinars, he was given a Survivor Mental and other resources through the Head and Neck Alliance in the U.S. When Doug died I was heartbroken (and still am) so when the Alliance reached out to offer support I was so blessed to be connected with Sue Lim. Her kindness having walked this path before me, was incredibly helpful and to this day, she responds to my messages with the tenderness of someone who really understands. We shared the experience of watching our husbands suffer through the ravages of throat cancer and how it upended their lives. Sue has given me hope when I least thought I could go on.

So when Sue invited me to team up with her to raise money for the Alliance I immediately said yes. Of course then I knew I would have to ask people to sponsor me and I’m not sure I have the capacity to be a good fundraiser right now. And then today, handling all that paperwork, I thought how devastating this diagnosis would be for someone else. I decide to make a post and trust that whatever is meant to be, will be. I’m going to fulfill my commitment to dedicate every walk, kayak, cycle and yoga in April to my sweet Doug. Every action will be preceded with a gesture of love for him and a wish for the wellbeing of anyone else who faces this devastating illness. I’ve been on Lake Huron 4 times this year with my kayak and walked every day to prepare for this event.

So if you are moved to donate, thank you. Thank you from my heart and from the hearts of those who have held me up these past 19 weeks when I didn’t have the strength to do it on my own. Thank you from the thousands of people who will face this life altering diagnosis and those who love and care for them. Here is the link to read our story: https://headandneckcanceralliance.salsalabs.org/24MoveAThon/p/darylwoodrememberingdougpage/index.html