Being There: When the Person You Love is Facing Cancer

“She’s the love of my life.” Glenn Torchia is not coy about how much his wife, Millie, means to him. So it’s hard to imagine what it’s like to watch Millie face such a serious cancer diagnosis. Millie — whose positive attitude is inspirational to so many in the SurvivorNet community — has stage four lung cancer. The diagnosis was a shock for her and her family, especially since Millie has never been a smoker.

Both Glenn and Millie say the disease has been rough, especially because they have three young daughters, but they’re keeping things as normal and positive as can be. “The kids are still a little young,” Glenn says. “Our oldest is 10, but you know, you can definitely tell she feels it. It’s tough seeing mommy in bed.”