February 2022

Putting the word 'Care' into our Caregivers

This month, some of the men of The Howling Place group wanted to do a special shout-out to their caregivers. We realize these caregivers have loved us through our cancer journeys. We would be lost without them and are fortunate to have each of them in our lives.

Thanks to Greg Doherty, Danny Riggs, Tom Shepherd, Jim Calhoun, Mark Hunnicutt, Jonathan Given, and Steven Westphal for contributing to this month's article.

— Joe Bullock, lead administrator, Man Up to Cancer - The Howling Place (Also known as The Wolfpack)

Steven and Cynthia Westphal

Filer, Idaho

Squamish cell carcinoma

I have to share my story with the pack about my lovely caregiver. She's my wife, partner in everything and my best friend. Cynthia has been with me throughout my whole cancer journey. We've been married for 33 years now. It hasn't been easy, nothing good ever is, but we're committed to each other and the saying till death do us part is where we're at.

Cynthia has taken care of me before I knew about my cancer. It was before Covid and she could actually stay with me in the hospital. She would come in at 10 a.m. and stay until 5 p.m. for 35 days. I couldn't talk so she made sure that the nurses and doctors had my best interest. When I was discharged from the Huntsman and sent to Promise hospice, where the care was quite different, she put the fear of God in the staff.

They thought that I was just another person who wasn't going to be around long. Wrong!! I was on a feeding tube for 2 years and 2 months and she helped me manage that along with a year of home health care. I can honestly say that I wouldn't be here without her loving care for me.

Greg and Dee Ann Doherty

Raleigh, North Carolina

Stage 3B colorectal cancer

My rock, I would not have been able to get through all of the appointments, procedures, treatments, or life in general. My wife (Dee Ann Doherty) pushed me and was there for me without hesitation in all of the lows and highs. I hated the fact that cancer dared to threaten our time together and added stress to our lives that was not wanted. No matter how hard it was she always made sure to encourage me. Whether it was meal prep, med reminders or just a swift kick in the seat of my pants, she was always there for me. She was and had always been selfless in taking great care of me and it has meant the world to me.

Danny and Sarah Riggs

League City, Texas

Stage 2B male breast cancer

My rock in all things became an absolute rock star during my cancer treatment. Not only did she continue her everyday tasks of being a Stay at Home Mom, she took over all of my usual chores, tended to my wounds, encouraged me through chemo, kept me well medicated and hydrated, and generally became my personal nurse. She pushed me to keep going when I didn't want to. She made me rest when I was pushing too hard. Above all else, she loved me unconditionally. Did I mention that it was her idea for me to go see my doctor in the first place? I can truly say that if it had not been for her I probably would not have survived because I probably would not have found my cancer as early as we did. Thanks to my wife Sarah for being my caretaker and life saver.

Tom and Mandy Shepherd

Fishersville, Virginia

Stage IV saliva gland cancer

My wife has been through it all over the past two years. There has been lots of trauma from parents passing away to weeklong hospitalizations to vacation travels and back again. Mandy keeps me on the straight and narrow and acts as a very strong patient advocate. It’s been more difficult lately and yet she is still steadfast in her support for me and our family. She is an amazing woman, my best friend, my conscience, and realist all in one. There is no way I could be at this point today without her. She means the world to me. Thank you Mandy Mayse Shepherd!

Jim and Karin Rose Calhoun

Saratoga Springs, New York

ALL Leukemia

My rock!! She’s kept me on track from day one. All she told me to do when I started my journey was to sit there and look pretty!! Guess what, I did and look where I am now. 4 years post bone marrow transplant and she’s still got my back! #CALHOUNSTRONG #BeTheMatch

Mark and Cheryl Hunnicutt

Dalton, Georgia

Stage IV Breast Cancer

“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Unknown

I want to give recognition to Cheryl Hunnicutt for her role as caregiver in my life. My life journey has included two battles with cancer and I’m currently going through stage IV metastatic breast cancer that has progressed to my bones. Cheryl’s care has been displayed as counselor, lawyer, doctor, researcher, chef, phycologist, banker, hand holder, nurse and advocate. Guilt will enter my mind when I think of all she has sacrificed for me through this 28 year cancer journey. I combat that thought with gratitude for her and her care for me. Thank you Cheryl for showing care to me in the worst moments in my life.

Jonathan and Carolyn Given

Douglas, Massachusetts

Multiple Myeloma

My wife, Carolyn, has always had a penchant for health/medical info. It has really come into a laser focus during my cancer journey over the past ten years. Her research in treatment options/trials/side effects has kept my care team impressed and on their toes. She retired early to commit full time to my care. She’s tough on me and it has paid dividends. She tracks my diet, my weight and my exercise. Without her efforts I’d be a victim of circumstance!

Joe and Michelle Bullock

Durham, North Carolina

Stage 3B Colorectal Cancer

When I was diagnosed in May 2018 with stage 3B colorectal cancer, I could not have gotten through it without the love and support of my wife Michelle Bullock. I have always respected her job as a nurse and the way she cared for other people. Over the 29 years of our marriage I always made sure when she hit the door at night she was able to leave work at work.

I hated the fact that now, not only was she coming home to her husband, but she was coming home to a cancer patient. That honestly hurt me more than being diagnosed or the treatments I went through. I hated that I brought this burden to us but she took it all in stride and never complained. She reminded me that it's why we got married in the first place and we are devoted to one another in this life.

Michelle was steadfast in helping me to figure out all of the clinical stuff that I had to deal with in the treatment of my cancer. She would even gently remind me to take my chemo pills, of which I was in the habit of ‘forgetting’ at times. She also reminded me I was probably her worst patient. At the same time she reassured me she would walk to the ends of the earth for me. She even encouraged me to get the support of a therapist when the emotional toll had gotten to be too much for her and she needed me to find someone else to be a ‘sounding board’ in my cancer journey. I quickly learned this is the way I could give back to her in a caring way that supported her as a caregiver.

I think as patients we need to learn how to put the word 'Care' back into the word ' Caregiver'. I don't think I could have gotten through any of this without her. I love you Michelle Bullock!

JWT - Volume XXII

Joe’s Wolfpack Trailblazers

JWT - Volume XXII

Joe’s Wolfpack Trailblazers

JWT - Volume XXIII

JWT - Volume XXI