2020 PPP magazine

Page 28 2020 Paint the Paper Pink Lincoln Daily News October 2020 and then probably another round or two of chemo. Stacy has completed her four rounds and will have her surgery this week. Jim and Stacy are both optimistic that all is going well. Jim said that what Stacy felt in June she can no longer feel, a good sign that the chemo has done a pretty good job of knocking back the cancer. It’s been a rough journey for the couple, who have only been married three years. Jim said that the two have been together for the last five years and were married in 2017. Between them they have six children from previous relationships. Five of the kids are adults, but they do have one little girl who is only eight. Jim said that for him, this was ‘not his first rodeo.” He noted that he lost his first wife seven years ago to breast cancer. The first wife, he said was diagnosed with stage four, so her prognosis was never as good as Stacy’s. Nonetheless, it was a shock for Jim, like being struck a second time by lightning, he found himself going through all the turmoil for a second time in his life, something he would never have imagined could happen. Jim says that Stacy is incredible. She’s strong and a fighter, and she thinks he’s stronger than perhaps he actually is. He said especially at first, this was a hard thing to absorb. He went through his own emotional turmoil and did all that he could not to let Stacy see how frightened he was for the life of his wife. He wanted her to see the strong supportive husband that he wanted to be and that she deserved. Jim said that he knew there were spouses who ‘check out’ when trouble comes. They separate themselves emotionally and sometimes even physically from the situation. For him, he said it was just the opposite. It became vitally important to him that Stacy see only his strong side, only his confident side, the loving supportive husband he had vowed to be three years earlier. When someone is diagnosed with cancer, regardless of gender or the type of cancer, having a strong support team surrounding him or her to hold them up becomes a big part of winning the battle. Jim said that Stacy has a strong support system including himself, their family, friends, and co-workers. The love, encouragement, and concern for both of them helps to keep Jim and Stacy moving forward optimistically. And, he has a secondary support system, including his sister Sarah and his co-workers at the sheriff’s department. All combined, those that surround the Crabtree’s with their love are keeping the couple focused on the task at hand, getting Stacy well again. Jim says that Stacy has a positive attitude. Her employer is permitting her to work from CONTINUE