About
My Story
In September 2019 my husband was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. The news was absolutely devastating. I knew, right in that moment, my attitude and actions going forward mattered more than ever. I wanted to be present – so I could still find the good in every day. I wanted to be calm – so my husband would have space to process his own emotions without getting caught up in mine. I wanted to find the courage to face all the unknowns – so my husband could put his energy into his treatment and recovery.
But I needed help. As I looked around, I realized that most resources are dedicated to cancer patients and cancer research. And rightfully so. There are support groups, personal counseling and a few pages for caregivers on cancer related websites. I started looking outside-the-box, googling, reading, researching, asking, listening, and turning over rocks looking for advice and inspiration to strengthen my resolve to be fully present and helpful to my husband.
Everyone’s situation is unique. And how they choose to handle adversity such as this is a personal choice. As I pieced it together for myself, I realized my discoveries could be helpful to others facing similar situations. I created Five Thousand Heroes for others like myself who are suddenly thrust into the unfamiliar role of caregiver while also dealing with profound fear and anxiety related to the health of their loved one.
Five Thousand Heroes provides practical information, resources, ideas, stories and inspiration to help you navigate the difficult journey of a caregiver with compassion, confidence and grace. I am deeply sorry for whatever brought you here, but I hope you find something here to make your journey a little bit easier. Even though you may not feel like one right now – You are a hero.
How Five Thousand Heroes Might Help You
I try to approach problems with a positive and practical outlook. With Five Thousand Heroes I explore how can we live fully in the face of adversity, particularly as it relates to caring for a loved one with cancer. By being informed and caring for ourselves, we can become better caregivers for those we love.
Most of the things I write about are not my own. They are ideas I discover and build upon after a lot of reading and research. I look for insights from: science, economics, history, literature, psychiatry, philosophy, and more. I seek helpful ideas and explain them in a way that I hope will be actionable for a cancer patient caregiver.
We can all benefit from the experience and insights of those who have been here before us. Everyday there are 5000 more of us. I want to share the lessons of other caregiver heroes. I’m trying to add a little bit of knowledge to the pile by creating this website and sharing their stories along with my work.
I don’t have all the answers and struggle with this everyday as I care for my husband. I still have a so much to learn. But I want to share what I’ve discovered so far. My work isn’t the only way to think about about the challenges of being a caregiver, but it’s how I think about it. I hope you will find something helpful here.
You can start by reading my articles
What Five Thousand Heroes is Not
This site is not intended to provide and does not constitute medical, legal, or other professional advice. The content on Five Thousand Heroes is designed to support you in your role of caregiver. It does not replace, medical or psychiatric treatment. Please seek professional care if you believe you have a condition requiring professional help. Before using this site, please read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.