Show notes
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.orghttps://wondersandworries.orghttps://www.hospiceaustin.org/our-services/christopher-house/00:00:00 - Introduction to Jeff and His Story00:01:00 - Meeting Mona: A Blind Date in Seattle00:02:40 - Moving to Austin and Starting a Family00:04:20 - Mona's Cancer Diagnosis: Liposarcoma00:05:50 - The Journey of Treatment and Family Support00:07:30 - Living with Cancer: A New Normal00:08:50 - Mona's Determination to Maintain Normalcy00:10:20 - Navigating the Medical Community as Physicians00:12:00 - Traveling and Creating Memories Together00:14:10 - The Shift in Health: Rapid Progression00:16:00 - Emergency Surgery and Hospital Stays00:18:15 - Transitioning to Hospice Care00:19:40 - Final Days at the Christopher House00:21:00 - Talking to Julia About Cancer and Loss00:22:30 - Julia's Coping Mechanisms and Support00:25:00 - Reflections on Grief and Milestones00:27:10 - Adjusting to Life After Loss00:28:40 - Therapy and Support Resources00:30:30 - Planning for the Future: Wills and Wishes00:32:00 - Mona's Legacy: Letters and Memories00:34:00 - Navigating Dating After Loss00:36:00 - Julia's Growth and Challenges00:46:00 - Conclusion and Reflections on Parenting
