“I have the easier task—dying. You’re the one who will keep living. You’ll carry the grief, manage the details, and find your way forward without me.”

In November 2022, my partner and soulmate was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer. Thirteen months later, he passed away. During those months, our lives were consumed by the realities of illness, loss, and love. We had raw, honest conversations. We updated end-of-life documents and advanced directives. We sought counseling. We pored over medical research and explored every treatment option we could find. We traveled across the country for consultations and procedures. And in the end, we made plans for his death—with as much intention and care as we had lived our life together.

Some things went as we hoped. Many did not. But through it all, we faced the experience head-on, with courage, vulnerability, and deep connection.

During that same period, two friends were also diagnosed with cancer. I stood by them as a listener, an advocate, and a source of comfort—walking beside them on their own unique paths through fear, hope, and uncertainty.

This chapter of my life was a whirlwind of heartbreak, insight, and profound transformation. It taught me not only about the healthcare system and the emotional landscape of serious illness but also about the strength that can come from being fully present with others in their most difficult moments.

I want to offer that strength, that learning, and that 

presence to others. If you are facing illness, caregiving, 

or grief—or if you simply want someone who understands 

how to navigate hard conversations and complex 

emotions—I’m here. You don’t have to go through it alone.

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