CANISTERS OF ASHES. This is all I have left of my wife of 15 years and the love of my life. She died after a horrible battle with ovarian cancer that was discovered during a cesarean delivery with our third child. She fought through 3 cycles of radiation, 29 rounds of chemotherapy and 7 weeks of total starvation before she finally succumbed, leaving me behind to raise our three kids, ages, 4, 10, and 12.
SHE DIDN’T HAVE TO DIE. The ob-gyn she trusted withheld information about a genetic test that would have allowed her to quantify her risk and take preventive action before she contracted the disease. Instead, her BRCA genetic mutation, the very same mutation made famous by Angelina Jolie, remained unidentified until after her diagnosis.
The Journey is the Heather Gabbi story. It is also the story of every mother who has fought with everything in her power and more to stay with her family.
It is also my story. And it is the story of every family who finds a way to cope, remember, and persevere even after the battle is lost. I hope that my story inspires others who are faced with personal tragedies to do the same.
Because we are also survivors. And our journey is also important.