About Uncharted Journey
This is not just another cancer story. While it does describe the process of diagnosis and surgery, chemo and radiation, this isn’t the essential message. This is about facing the threat of terminal illness every day for ten years and more, about the emotional toll on family, career and marriage. It’s about finding a balance between living for medication and medicating to live. Alternately tender and brutal, angry and jubilant, this honest, little book is at heart a love story between two people hoping only to grow old together.
Nancy Ebel
Teacher, writer, cancer survivor
About the Authors
Elizabeth Holland Kern was an early childhood educator, freelance magazine writer, and IBM technical writer.
Patrick Kern was a public school social studies teacher for 25 years, and was an adjunct Professor of Education.
Elizabeth and Patrick have one son, and live in Phoenicia, New York.
More about Uncharted Journey
Elizabeth and Patrick’s work is a chronicle of love, perseverance and resilience through their ten years of living with breast cancer. Responding to the optimistic and frightening twists of their journey, while pursuing their daily tasks and dreams, is inspirational. The reader wonders if he/she has the resolve to embrace the life they lead.
Daniel A. Siegel
ACSW, LCSW, CASAC, SAP
This is a piercing story of couple’s courage and tenacity in the face of metastatic breast cancer. Elizabeth and Patrick vividly describe the journey as they struggle to live with “diligent joy.” Their focus on hope and life is inspiring. For those who live with or love someone with cancer, the Kerns bravely offer us a window into the challenges, triumphs, and losses in dealing with this illness.
Kathleen Bollerud, Ed. D.
Licensed Psychologist
Eighteen years ago, whether he realized it or not, Mr. Kern was a pillar of strength and support for me when I was struggling with the devastation wreaked on me, my family, and my life when my father was diagnosed with,and eventually succumbed to, terminal brain cancer. His classroom door was always open to me, and we shared lunches, stories, laughter and tears as I navigated my own journey. Whenever he spoke of Mrs. Kern and their son, love and pride simply radiated from him. I just want Mr. Kern to know that his compassion and love have stayed with me my whole life, and in fact I draw inspiration from his selfless acts in my own nursing practice. Even before I found out about your story, I had already long ago told my husband about the seventh-grade teacher who helped me to stay sane. While my heart was broken when I found out about Mrs. Kern's illness, I have to admit that I was not surprised to see that you and Mrs. Kern decided to selflessly share your story so that it may help others. It's just who you are, what can I say?
ReplyDelete(continued from above) Mr. Kern, I just wanted to let you know that the efforts that you made on my behalf, all of those years ago, have stuck close to my heart and have had a profound positive influence on my life. I can't begin to imagine the courage and determination it took for you and Mrs. Kern to share such a deeply personal physical and emotional struggle with the world, with the selfless intention of helping others through their journeys. I had nothing but the utmost respect and love for you before, and now you've managed to kick it p a notch. I wish there was something I could do or say that could make things "all better" for Mrs. Kern. I just hope that my little story could help you realize how special you both are, and that selfless acts and kindness for others really can make a difference. Love, hugs, and prayers to you all. PS- I feel the need to say this to my former teacher.... My English skills really aren't this bad! I'm stuck in bed recovering from my own issues, and the browser on my iPad doesn't me adding things like paragraphs in these comments! Sorry, but you'll always be a teacher in my eyes, whether it be a school teacher or life teacher... although I think those roles are often blurred for good teachers like you. :)
ReplyDelete