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

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

Update: 2025-10-03
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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.org

https://wondersandworries.org

https://www.hospiceaustin.org/our-services/christopher-house/

00:00:00Introduction to Jeff and His Story
00:01:00Meeting Mona: A Blind Date in Seattle
00:02:40Moving to Austin and Starting a Family
00:04:20Mona's Cancer Diagnosis: Liposarcoma
00:05:50The Journey of Treatment and Family Support
00:07:30Living with Cancer: A New Normal
00:08:50Mona's Determination to Maintain Normalcy
00:10:20Navigating the Medical Community as Physicians
00:12:00Traveling and Creating Memories Together
00:14:10The Shift in Health: Rapid Progression
00:16:00Emergency Surgery and Hospital Stays
00:18:15Transitioning to Hospice Care
00:19:40Final Days at the Christopher House
00:21:00Talking to Julia About Cancer and Loss
00:22:30Julia's Coping Mechanisms and Support
00:25:00Reflections on Grief and Milestones
00:27:10Adjusting to Life After Loss
00:28:40Therapy and Support Resources
00:30:30Planning for the Future: Wills and Wishes
00:32:00Mona's Legacy: Letters and Memories
00:34:00Navigating Dating After Loss
00:36:00Julia's Growth and Challenges
00:46:00Conclusion and Reflections on Parenting

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

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

Every Widow Thing