Facing Death Together

A Story of Our Losing Battle with Cancer

De: Jordan Smith Jr. Ed. D.

Narrado por: Frank Block

Facing Death Together is a true story of how a loving marriage of 16 years is suddenly turned upside down after a simple routine visit to the doctor because of constipation. No one in the family suspected the traumatic reality of facing an unexpected diagnosis.

In July 2018, an oncologist previously stated to us just two weeks earlier, we had nothing to worry about. The doctor enters the room and tells us that Joyce, my dear loving wife, has stage four cancer with 6-18 months to live. I was 65 at the time and Joyce was 72 years old at that time. This story shares the experience and very tragic life-changing experiences of dealing with doctors, insurance companies, health care providers, and family.

Joyce requested that I start writing this after the third month of chemo. She made me promise to publish this book so that others would know and understand what happens when someone is given a stage 4 cancer diagnosis and the unconscious, unpredictable consequences of choosing a quantity of life. Her choice of choosing to die at home placed a burden on her loving family. Joyce was fortunate to die before COVID-19. This story shares warnings worthy of an afternoon listening to help prepare anyone who may have someone with a terminal illness and what to expect during the coming months after receiving a terminal illness diagnosis.

©2022 Jordan B. Smith Jr. (P)2022 Jordan B Smith Jr.

Palliative care vs Hospice care

Learning the difference between palliative care and hospice care was well explained.
Starting palliative care earlier can improve the quality of life for both the patient and loved ones. The Reflection Process was something new to me and I enjoyed learning about it.

I don't know how he did it

What an amazing awful truth. I started crying at the introduction, and at various points throughout. This was especially horrible for me since my sister just died of stage 4 lung cancer. Excellent book, hard subject.

A loving, caring story!

Joyce was very blessed to have such a supportive and loving husband by her side throughout this life-changing ordeal! It’s difficult to deal with the actual disease and all the physical and emotional struggles that are associated with it. However, most people don’t realize the additional burdens, such as insurance companies, family issues, etc. that can push people to the brink.
I honor the author and his wife for bravely sharing their story so that others can be better equipped to deal with such situations!

A Moving Book...

This book really moves the heart. It addresses the common story of cancer in an authentic way that has you tearing up and feeling the weight of many of those that share this story. Amazing...

Powerful. Captivating. Emotional.

I’ve been married for 11 years and couldn’t imagine the pain Jordan has gone through. Thank you so much for your courage and vulnerability to share your story.

“I am fortunate enough to still be alive.” This may encompass the message of the book. The gratitude for life. But, also the responsibility to share what he has learned. The attitude is that of someone really hoping to help the listeners in any way he can. Whether it is the warning not to smoke or to listen to medical workers about COVID or how to save money on your next trip to Vegas, he has something to offer from great life experience.

This is a sweet, beautiful sentiment to his late wife, showing gratitude for her skills as a bookkeeper, reminiscing on one of his first conversations with her mom, and fondly remembering seeing their dog as they come home.

He delves into the painful experiences. Not just the cancer, but also what they’ve learned through the loss of her son.

I’ve heard once that wisdom is perspective. And this is a work full of perspective!

Honest and moving

A really poignant book that some may relate to, some may not - either way it's worth every minute of listening. Beautifully narrated and a great listen.

Moving and informative

I have been a nurse for over thirty years anyone who has cancer or a family is member dealing with cancer will benefit from those book. this is also valuable to anyone because at some point a major debilitating illness will affect you or a loved one.

Living my life

I just lost my dad in August to cancer. From the date of diagnosis to the date of death was exactly 90 days. We didn't have a chance to save him. This book was a reminder for me of what we all lost.

A Beautiful Story of Love

This is one of the most touching, informative and detailed-experience books I’ve ever come across. Although the main point, as the title indicates, is facing death through a terminal illness, the author brilliantly illustrates the power of love in the face of adversity from the very beginning.

When I started listening, I had to listen all the way through and only paused when my son needed my attention or I had to do a task which required me to use my listening device. Other than that, I was glued from the first sentence.

Even before cancer entered the picture, tears welled up in my eyes as the author takes us on a journey of the beautiful love story he experienced with his beloved wife, Joyce. This type of love one can only wish to experience in a lifetime. Dr. Smith did an excellent job painting a 3-dimensional view of his wife, with her sense of humor, wit, bold tenacity for going after what she wants in life (the author in particular lol) , and her passion for living life to its fullest, even after experiencing traumatic losses of her own.

The information in this book is important for everyone. Making sure that insurance policies and medical exams are completely understood, savings accounts and financial preparations are sufficient, and advanced directives are all in order even in the season of great health is crucial. I am encouraged to go back through all of my policies and make sure I understand what is inside. I have a son in elementary school, and the thought of things not being in order for him is enough to make me do what I need to do right now while I’m in great health.

This subject hit home for me, as I’m sure it will for the majority of people, as cancer has visited the lives of so many. My mother is still enduring her own process. She’s been saying the medication makes her lose her taste for food, which has caused her to lose weight. As the author recounted his experience of his wife going through the same thing, this really validated even more what my mother is going through. It just makes it all the more real and I have a heightened sense of compassion, as it’s easy for us to dismiss the seriousness of various symptoms experienced.

I am so touched and moved by this entire book. I’m in the entertainment industry and, as I listened to the book, I imagined the entire story playing in front of me. The writing is like a brilliant and moving novel, which caused me to feel like I was right in the car with the couple as they listened to their country music and shared snacks on their road trip vacations. I smiled, laughed, giggled and cried. I experienced all of the emotions.

Brilliant. Brilliant. Brilliant.
Using both hands and feet on this one —4 thumbs up!!!

Dr. Smith, thank you for sharing your heart warming story with the world.

You can feel their pain and empathize

I am still crying as I type this. I don't even know how to word it. When I heard the introduction, I thought I wouldn't have much to relate to given that the story starts with cigarette smoking, but this memoir is not just about heeding medical advice. It is about the choices we make in life, disease, how love influences us, the fickleness of life, grief and the reality of death. They lived through so much in 15 months! I like that this book is a tribute to her. I wish him all the love, light and healing as he tries to move forward.