Foreword by Cassidy D. Campanella, DNP
When The Road Disappears
There are moments in life when our comfortable day-to-day existence collides with a realization, a decision, or an experience that makes us question our purpose and what it is all for. For many of us, including the author of this book, moments like this can be triggered by one small but powerful word: CANCER.
Despite the infinite meanings and emotions, these six letters elicit, cancer also carries an impact and a shared experience that is felt by people, families, and communities throughout the world. As a Nurse and Nurse Practitioner at Huntsman Cancer Hospital for over 15 years, my personal and professional life has been shaped by the lives and stories of individuals with cancer. As a human navigating the landscapes of life, I have come to recognize that despite our differences and unique personal journeys, these common emotions, relationships, and “life” moments are what connect us all to a greater shared experience. They help us keep going when a familiar path seems to disappear.
My friend Jennifer is an artist, photographer, and writer who, inspired by her own life experience and those of others, embarked on an overland adventure across the United States to discover a new purpose and document stories of individuals affected by cancer. Through her descriptive writing, she allows the reader to experience life’s emotions as her own story weaves through the lives of the amazing individuals she highlights. It is a story full of adventure, persistence, uncertainty, and trust. It is a journey that reminds us of the value of pushing our comfort zones, finding support in our communities, trusting ourselves, and appreciating the small moments that amount to this bigger thing we call life.
Climb in the Jeep and join Jennifer as she navigates the less traveled landscapes of America and gain comfort in knowing that even when the road seems to disappear, you are never truly alone, and a new journey may have just begun.
“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.”
