Whole New Life
PODCAST: Having survived cancer in my 40s and the loss of my husband in my 50s, I deeply empathize with the challenges you may be facing. I share my coping strategies and the determination it takes to remain resilient. By following my journey, you'll discover practical techniques to manage grief, build emotional strength, and find hope even in the darkest times.
Throughout 30 episodes, I candidly share every moment of my falls and the strength I found to rise again each time. I chronicle my journey of learning and growth and include a surprising twist I never thought possible: falling in love again.
Widowhood has been far from easy, the effort I invested in five years following my husband's passing has, and will always remain, entirely worthwhile.
BOOK SERIES: In 2024 I wrote and self-published a 3-book series about my life, love, and loss. You may purchase on Amazon in paperback, eBook, and audiobook.
Book One:
46 Days: Just the beginning of my healing journey…
Approximately two months after my husband passed away from cancer, I needed to get away for a while. In 2020 I was not only his wife, but also his caregiver for the last year of his life. Watching my husband slowly die in front of my eyes took everything out of me.
Book Two:
140.6 sMILES: It was more than just crossing the finish line…
Both the physical and mental strength it took to train for, as well as complete, actually provided me with the physical and mental strength I needed when I found out I had cancer in 2013, as well as learning my husband’s cancer was terminal in 2020.
Book Three:
3 Words: Powerful words that changed my life forever…
The most gut-wrenching words I have ever heard were spoken to me in 2013 and then again to my husband in 2019: “You Have Cancer.”
WEBSITE: https://stacyryanauthor.com/
DISCLAIMER: My story should not be interpreted in any way as expert, health, or medical advice. I chose to share my story, in my voice, to assure people they are not alone and perhaps provide a bit of inspiration or a glimpse of hope, if needed.
Whole New Life
Loving Twice: How I Honor My Past While Embracing My Future
After losing my husband to cancer in 2020, I embarked on what felt like an impossible journey—finding purpose in my shattered world. In this final episode, I reflect on the path I've traveled from wife to caregiver to widow to now embracing my whole new life.
The grief journey has been anything but linear. I've fallen countless times but somehow found the strength to rise again. Through raw journal entries, therapy sessions, and painful "firsts," I've documented the rollercoaster of widowhood across 30 episodes—one for each year I spent with John. From the depths of despair in those early days to my November 2022 epiphany when I realized I was no longer searching for my new life but actually living it, this podcast has chronicled every step.
What I never expected was finding love again with someone who truly understands. In late 2023, believing I needed to connect with someone who "got it," I met another widower—also named John—who lost his wife to cancer after 30 years together. The parallels in our stories created an immediate bond of understanding that has blossomed into a relationship where we honor our past loves while building a future together. I'm sharing his story too, as he bravely opens up about caregiving, loneliness, and finding connection after loss.
As I close this chapter of sharing my widow journey, I do so with peace in my heart and gratitude for both the life I had and the one unfolding before me. My hope has always been to help others feel less alone—whether you're walking the widow path or supporting someone who is. Thank you for walking alongside me.
StacyRyanAuthor.com
