This is a reflection of my life since it was turned on it's end August 8th 2011. That was the day a mass was discovered on my husband Duke's brain.

From that day forward me and my family have been on a journey none of us would have chosen, but we had no choice. I say it was the day the course of our lives changed forever but in reality that was always going to be where our lives were going. All the days of our lives were put in motion by God before any of us were even born.

As I sit here alone 3 months after Duke's death I am overcome with sadness. It feels like a million years since I've seen him, touched him, and heard his voice. I miss him so very much that at times I think I can't go on another minute without him.

We were married for 40 years, and during that time we didn't spend many nights apart. Did we ever get on each others nerves? You bet we did, but there was never a day in all those years that I doubted his love for me, and I hope he felt the same.

Duke was diagnosed with a brain tumor called Glioblastoma. It is the most aggressive and deadly form of brain cancer. By the time we found out he already had brain damage so he was not able to react emotionally. The tumor took away his ability to perceive joy or sorrow, or at least it seemed that way to us. He never shed a tear over his diagnosis or reacted in the way he would have if he were himself.

His battle with GBM lasted 11 months, but really it was all one sided. He never had a chance against this beast. We did the conventional treatment,  radiation, chemo, and steroids for the swelling.