SPECIAL FEATURE
William and Lynn Dochnahl
treatment often leaves her completely spent by the end of the day. "Sometimes I just come home and collapse," says Lynn, who has undergone chemotherapy treatments for years, while continuing to work. "Bill has been a wonderful caregiver." Part of that caregiver role involves helping Lynn drain her
lung every three days so that she can breathe normally. At first William doubted his ability to take on such a daunting task, but he has become more confident in his abilities over time. "Whatever it takes, I'll do it," he says. "I know that working together as a team only strengthens our relationship and makes us both stronger." Appropriately, the couples' favorite song is "The Wind Beneath My Wings," which, William says, "defines what it has taken for us to grow together over the nearly 40 years of our marriage and reminds us of what it will take for us to fly above our struggles moving forward." William says the fact that he's been in the patient role helps him appreciate Lynn's challenges and the effort she puts into
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overcoming them. "I look at her condition and her strength in a much more meaningful way now that I've been through the ordeal myself," he says. "That allows me to be an even more effective and understanding caregiver." The couple's unified commitment to overcoming cancer and
enjoying life extends to the outside world, where the pair shares the same treatment clinic, enjoys the outdoors, takes part in commu- nity activities, and volunteers for various organizations. "Instead of walking around thinking, Why us? we've decided to help out others who aren't as blessed as we are," says William. "When you volunteer, you get exposed to other peoples' challenges, and it makes you more empathetic to the needs and plights of others." Together for 40 years and going strong, the Dochnahls say that
having cancer has helped them see the other person in a different light. "Lynn is my wife and friend, and now she is my patient," says William. "Being both a caregiver and a spouse to her has only strengthened our relationship."
summer 2012 | cancer fighters thrive 9