WHATEVER LIFE THROWS AT YOU, EVEN IF IT HURTS YOU, JUST BE STRONG AND FIGHT THROUGH IT. REMEMBER STRONG WALLS SHAKE BUT NEVER COLLAPSE.

My life was changed on February 1 of this year when I was diagnosed with Burkitt’s Lymphoma. After nearly a 7 month fight I was declared in complete remission. However, I did not fight alone.

While in the hospital, there wasn’t a day that went by that either my wife, my sister or my parents were not there with me. This included taking my daily walk with me around what we call the “C Block”. Unfortunately, this was not the case with the other patients. We would see most patients walking alone. We noticed that many patients did not have anyone in their rooms with them. We noticed that of the family members and caretakers that were there, many did not know what to do first or how they would navigate this part of their loved ones life, or this part of their life.

I believed very early in my treatment that this was happening to me for a reason. I felt it in my heart that this was happening to me to serve a bigger purpose. It wasn’t only me, but my wife, sister and brother-in-law felt the same way. After many discussions we decided we had to do something to turn this experience into a positive. 

Geoff Pastrick

Cancer sucks.  Well known fact.  But it sucks even more when you or someone you know is going through it.  My heart seriously aches at each and every clinic visit, which are daily some weeks .  Until you sit in a cancer clinic and see all the people (young, old, black, white, men, women--it doesn't matter who you are because this stupid disease does not discriminate) who are getting treated for this horrible disease, it doesn't really hit you.  And then it hits you like a ton of bricks.  Stops you dead in your tracks and takes your breath away.  

There is too much cancer in this world.  There are too many people suffering.  There are too many bio-hazard stickers, too much medical waste, too many disposable masks, too many paper gowns and booties, too many IV bags, too many too many.  

As the healthy caregiver, you can't help but feel an intense urge to do something to make a difference.  And not only for my brother but for all the families fighting this disease.   

Stephanie Parker, Geoff's sister

Instagram post, 3/12/19