Published Nov 9, 2020

5 Tools Alex Trebek’s Wife, Jean, Used to Help Cope as the “Jeopardy!” Host Battled Pancreatic Cancer

People helping a loved one battle cancer need coping mechanisms too. Alex Trebek's wife, Jean, previously talked to SurvivorNet about focusing on spirituality and sound healing during difficult times. Her other tools include cooking, journaling, and a positive mindset.

Shelby Black

Details

Tools for Coping

Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek recently passed away at 80-years-old after a year-in-a-half long battle with pancreatic cancer.
His wife, Jean, found ways to cope during his cancer journey which included sound healing, cooking, and spirituality.
Jean previously talked to SurvivorNet about how spirituality and sound healing have been powerful resources for her.

During Alex Trebek’s year-and-a-half battle with pancreatic cancer, his wife Jean needed to find ways to cope with the fact that he was sick and ease her own anxiety. Throughout a cancer journey, the patient isn’t the only person feeling the emotional toll. Trebek shared, in a previous interview with SurvivorNet, some of the coping mechanisms she used, and often writes about helpful tools on her blog, Insidewink.

Trebek, the beloved host of Jeopardy! for nearly 40 years, passed away on Sunday due to stage 4 pancreatic cancer. The TV icon announced his diagnosis in March 2019, and publicly shared health updates with fans on a regular basis. Trebek’s way of coping with the disease was likely by hosting Jeopardy!, but family members and caregivers also need resources too. For his wife Jean Trebek, 56, her way of coping while her husband battled pancreatic cancer came in many different forms, and she shared a few with SurvivorNet.

Sound Healing

In November 2019, Jean talked to SurvivorNet about the power of sound healing, and how it’s helped her deal with uncertainty during her husband’s pancreatic cancer battle. Sound healing is an ancient meditative practice that uses different musical elements in order to create healing vibrations around the body, which can lead to a meditative state. Trebek has been practicing this method for 10 years, and says it became an invaluable resource after Alex was diagnosed with cancer.

“The human voice has so much power and healing,” Jean told SurvivorNet. “It's like how, when a mother sings a lullaby to her baby, it's the intention in her voice that is calming the baby. She's singing the words of love and beauty to this little baby, and the baby feels that in the vibration of her voice.”

Dr. Brian Berman shared a guided meditation practice with the SurvivorNet community

Cooking

During a cancer journey, some people may turn to creative outlets like painting. For Jean, cooking gave her delicious and comforting way to escape reality just for a moment. On her website Insidewink, she would often share recipes which both she and Alex love. Whether it’s soups, cakes, or veggie burgers, making special meals for her family is likely a special thing for Jean to do.

Plus, Jean’s recipes always skew towards the health side, which was important during Alex’s cancer battle. Diet and lifestyle can play a significant role in both cancer risk and determining how successful treatment outcomes will be.

Spirituality

Many cancer survivors have said their faith and spirituality helped guide them through a cancer journey, and Jean is no different. Faith can be a powerful tool in dealing with uncertainty you’re experiencing while watching a loved one battle the disease, and Jean says it’s helped her cope tremendously. Jean is a devoted follower of Religious Sciences, and through her spirituality she feels connected to the universe and its plan for her family.

“Just ask the universe, 'What's the next step for me?'" Jean told SurvivorNet. "The universe will always respond. I am absolutely sure that we live in a benevolent universe that is always conspiring for our highest and greatest good.”

Breast cancer survivor Sharon Spencer explains how faith helped carry her through cancer

Journaling

Putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) can be a great way to share your thoughts and emotions whenever you want. Trebek rarely discussed Alex’s pancreatic cancer battle, but in July she penned an emotional and powerful essay about his journey. Of course, that doesn’t mean each time you share your feelings it has to be in the public eye. Keeping a journal close by, and jotting down your thoughts, is something that can be entirely your own.

Whether it’s joy, anger, sadness, or confusion, it’s important to be able to openly express your emotions and not bottle them in. This is especially important if you’re taking care of someone during cancer, because if your emotional health is good, that can help patients stay positive. “Put your frustrations and troubles down on paper," writes Trebek. "Actively engage with your thoughts."

A Grateful & Positive Outlook

When it comes to being grateful and positive, it’s understandably a lot easier said than done. However, Jean has consistently spoken on the power of positivity and never taking one moment for granted. In an intimate conversation with Reverand Mark Laponce on her blog Insidewink, Jean and Laponce discussed how even during challenges, being grateful for life is a powerful tool.

“People go through such big stuff the loss of a child, the loss of a spouse," says the Rev. Mark Laponce. "And yet people come out on the other side and there's still goodness there. It's tremendous."

"Right," Jean responds. "They're still contributing good into the world. Doing good and going, 'Hey, that happened, but I'm choosing to live a life of gratitude.’"

Dr. Zuri Murrell explains how gratitude can influence treatment outcomes

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