Editor’s note: Jean Hudson, reporter Scott Hudson’s wife, asked to share her perspective on cancer, for such a diagnosis affects not just the person with the disease.
Upon hearing Scott’s diagnosis of cancer, as his spouse, I was devastated. I have lost too many family and friends to this horrible disease.
Every thing goes so fast with stage 4 head and neck cancer, it’s like a whirlwind of doctors, appointments, treatments, endless testing and poking and prodding. When I think back, I am glad I was so numb. That way I could get all the things done that needed to be without the luxury of time to do a deep dive into the professional and personal side of everyone touching my husband.
You really have to put trust and faith in your doctors and their staffs. Boy, did we hit the jackpot. During this whole ordeal we have NEVER been made to feel “less than.”
We have met well over 50 to 75 people between, doctors, nurses, nutritionists (love you Lizzie), and everyone greeted us with a smile and a warm hug or handshake. I like Scott’s description of them as earthbound angels!
Scott definitely did NOT want to undergo any treatment after being barely a teenager and witnessing the damage cancer did to his father and family. When his father died, Scott was the oldest of, at that time, three children with Chris and Vivian (his brother and sister) both being under 10 years old.
Scott went to work washing cars to make money for anything from school lunch, field trips and occasionally to help his mom, Patsy, out with household expenses. That same work ethic is alive and well in my husband to this day!
With our initial diagnosis, Scott said no to any treatment. However, when you have the type of cancer Scott has, foregoing treatment is more painful than undergoing the treatment itself, which was BRUTAL!
As a couple, we sat down and talked about this very candidly. During these talks, Scott agreed to go listen to all the doctors with an open mind, and I promised if he started treatment and was ready to stop, I would accept that and be fully supportive in that decision as well.
I am awed by my husband’s zest for life. Once this man sets his mind to something, damn the torpedoes!
Once he decided to “beat cancer,” cancer never had a chance!
I am going to enjoy 2025 with my amazing husband and take him on that dream vacation to Europe or maybe the super relaxing Bora, Bora with its huts individually over the ocean.
Who knows. We may just end up in north Georgia and all the quaint little towns Georgia has to offer, but I am most happy to know I will be doing this with my buddy, my best friend, my CANCER FREE husband!
Keep those prayers and kind thoughts rolling our way and we will continue to be strengthened by them.
Those of you who know Scott personally, know how much he loves this community, and it warms our hearts to know so many people are carrying this “cancer load” with us. I sincerely thank you for your love and support.
Thanks for letting me share this with you, Jean Hudson
