It’s already coming to a close on the first month of 2025! The year appears to be going just as quick as it came, and the mellowed feeling of joy and optimism that the Christmas and New Year holiday period brings, has now faded just as quickly as my summer tan.
It’s already half way through February, with last month bringing some devastating news for my family – my husband was diagnosed with testicular cancer. The word ‘cancer’ is terrifying and it’s hard not to allow your mind to wander to the worst case scenario. It’s touched all of us in this world in one form or another, yet it’s a diagnosis that we can never imagine being told to oneself or our nearest and dearest… Especially when one is so young in life.
With credit to our small towns health services, Joe was referred very quickly to a urologist and oncologist and given the best news we could possibly get in this situation – Joe’s early detection of the cancer has resulted in an early diagnosis. This means the cancer can be easily treated via surgical removal, which has been a gruelling wait. It’s been a month full of mixed emotions; We are feeling extremely lucky and relieved about the news, yet still anxious about the surgery, monitoring and further treatments over coming years. Furthermore, family planning has become that much more real and overwhelming. But not impossible.
Despite being a shock to the system, it is also a life lesson on how fragile life is and how we can take our bodies and health for granted. While many of us are fixated on achieving the “ideal body” or caught up on the most superficial things regarding our appearances, we forget how much are bodies have already done, and are still doing for us, and how easy it is to slip into unhealthy habits. Our bodies are truly amazing in their capabilities and challenges they overcome, and this is just another challenge that we will overcome together.
As a means to distract myself, i’ve been finding myself outdoors a lot. Whether it be hiking in the bush near our home, walking my dogs at sunset, or potting around in our backyard, these small activities make life magical and I find myself appreciating the simple moments just that little bit more.
While we have some challenges to face, a house build to finish and a business to build, for now we are going to slow down and enjoy the present moment.
“Every day is a chance to create a memory and to love a little more.”
-JESSIE HOOKS
Wander Mak 
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