Joyful Life Moments After Cancer
- Good Morning America co-anchor Robin Roberts, 63, and her longtime partner-turned-wife of 1 year Amber Laign, 50, just shared their first wedding anniversary, an impactful milestone after a trying time with Laign having recently gone through breast cancer.
- Roberts is a breast cancer survivor herself, which can make the weight of the sweet celebration that much more meaningful, as those are some of the fears people going through cancer tend to experience, that they will miss out on special “firsts” in life with their health threatened. Uniquely, both women have experienced going through cancer and being there for a partner as a cancer caregiver.
- Reaching milestones during or after a cancer battle, even many years later, is huge and just hits different for many survivors. Special moments such as getting engaged, reaching another birthday, a high school reunion, “cancerversary” may mean even more to you than those events did previously, so it’s important to take them all in and celebrate all that you’ve overcome.
- After cancer, as a person resumes normal life activities, it’s important to know that many may still feel depressed, anxious, worried, overwhelmed, and sometimes full of grief from what they experiencewd. Support your loved one as best you can by being a loving, listening ear and lending support.
Roberts is a breast cancer survivor herself, which can make the weight of the sweet celebration that much more meaningful, as those are some of the fears people going through cancer tend to experience, that they will miss out on special “firsts” in life with their health threatened.
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When Roberts went through her breast cancer journey in 2007 — and subsequent myelodsyplastic syndrome diagnosis (MDS), a rare blood and bone marrow disease, in 2012 — Laign gave her monumental support. And after Laign’s diagnosis, Roberts stepped up as caregiver, taking time off from her ABC hosting duties to be more present for her partner, now knowing what it felt like to be on the other side.
Commenting on their unique situation, Roberts said, “I’m able to kind of give her a roadmap because I’ve gone through it, but she’s also given me a roadmap on how to be a caregiver.”
“And I didn’t realize how much I had blocked out during my journey,” Roberts added, “and it was because of sweet Amber, because she protected me and navigated for me. So I’m doing the same thing for her.”
Another Big Milestone — Turning 50
Last week, the pair celebrated another big milestone with Laign turning 50. “Please join me in wishing my sweet Amber a Happy 50th Birthday!! She has brought so much joy to my world with her spirit and kindness,” Roberts captioned a post of Amber dolled up in a pink sash, birthday wand, sun hat and sunglasses outside in the sun.
“Happy Birthday Amber. May God continue to bless you and keep you healthy and happy,” a well-wishing fan wrote in the comments. Such beautiful words @robinrobertsgma,” another person commented. “We should all be so lucky to experience the love you & your Sweet Amber have. Happy Birthday Amber!”
Amber Laign’s Diagnosis
Amber Laign was diagnosed with cancer in February of 2022. She had some complications and had to pause treatment, which can be common, but also frightening for the patient and their loved ones.
Thankfully, Laign was able to resume and complete chemotherapy and then finished radiation in July 2022.
After announcing on GMA that she was taking time off to be there for Laign, Robin proudly showed Laign “doing her happy dance” in an endearing video post on Twitter.
“I went through it twice, barely shed a tear,” Roberts said in an interview with Ellen DeGeneres while Laign was in the thick of her treatment. “I’m a puddle every time I think about what Amber is going through. But she is being so courageous and is handling it extremely well.”
Cuing the much-needed pause and quality time together during that trying period, Roberts noted they were “ready to spend time” in their “happy place,” which is the Connecticut home that they share, which is also where they got married.
Reaching Milestones as a Cancer Survivor
Reaching milestones during or after a cancer battle, even many years later, is huge and just hits different for many survivors.
Special moments such as getting engaged, reaching another birthday, a high school reunion, “cancerversary” may mean even more to you than those events did previously, so it’s important to take them all in and celebrate all that you’ve overcome.
Chrissy Degennaro is also a cancer warrior determined to keep enjoying these precious milestones. She has been battling a rare blood cancer called multiple myeloma for 14 years, and was first diagnosed when she was just 36 years old with a 2-year-old son.
I’m Able to Be Here For More Milestones — One Cancer Survivor’s Incredible Story
When she was given her diagnosis, she almost expected to not be able to see him enter kindergarten. But thanks to 27 rounds of chemotherapy, two stem cell transplants, a CAR-T cell trial and two CAR-T cell transplants over following 14 years, she’s able to keep making memories with her family.
“You know, I do live one day at a time,” Chrissy previously told SurvivorNet. “Now, maybe I can go a week, a month, but things are looking pretty good. I’m able to be here for more milestones for my son, for more holidays, more birthdays. I do feel like I have had another chance at life.”
Supporting a Loved One During and After Cancer
During and after cancer, in between happier moments, many may still feel depressed, anxious, worried, overwhelmed, and sometimes full of grief. Support your loved one as best you can by being a loving, listening ear and lending support.
Dr. Scott Irwin, director of supportive care service at Cedars-Sinai, explains in an earlier interview the grief that may accompany a cancer diagnosis. “Grief comes in waves,” he says. “It often gets better over time, but at certain days, it can look like depression. And other days, people look perfectly normal and can function.”
‘Grief comes in waves’ after a cancer diagnosis
“They’re grieving the change in their life, the future they had imagined is now different,” says Dr. Irwin, of how a person may feel after getting a cancer diagnosis.
“In cancer care, sometimes, we’re actually forcing some body changes that are beyond what would be normal aging, and that can be even harder for people to deal with where they don’t feel like themselves.”
An Important Message for Caregivers
While it is undeniably difficult to be diagnosed with and treated for cancer, the family members and friends who care for cancer patients also face their own set of challenges.
“Caregiving is the most important job in the universe, because you are there through the highs and lows,” Julie Bulger, manager of patient and family-centered care at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, TN, tells SurvivorNet. “You are there to support your loved one, to manage all of the daily tasks as everything is changing in your life.”
RELATED: ‘A Sacred And Blessed Calling’ Managing Life As a Caregiver
Caregiver burnout, stress, anger, fatigue, and illness that can come from putting another person’s needs ahead of your ownis real. It can sneak up on you if you don’t take care of yourself. “It is important to have some things that you can do outside of the focus of caring for somebody that you love with cancer,” Bulger says.
She suggests that you take a walk. Get a massage. Visit a support group for cancer caregivers, either online or in person. And see a therapist if you’re struggling to cope with all of your new responsibilities. Joining a support group and building your support team is often a very important strategy and can help prevent or reduce the risk of caregiver burnout.
Know that you are doing truly important work, and appreciate yourself for it. “There’s so much evidence that outcomes are better when somebody has an incredible caregiver by their side,” Bulger says. Research also finds that caregivers who take good care of themselves provide the best quality of care. “So you are helping your loved one in more ways than you know.”
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