Faith, Support & Celebration Guide Couple’s Cancer Journey October 1, 2024 Navigating cancer is an individualized experience, much like a choose-your-own-adventure book. Each story starts the same — with a cancer diagnosis — but the chapters that follow can vary based on many factors. For Rob and Donna Durbin of Corvallis, this chapter in their lives meant embracing their faith, cherishing connections, leaning into their personal support system and finding ways to celebrate by creating hope and encouragement for others. Rob’s Chapter: Beacon of Hope “It was a win-win situation for me,” Rob said after being diagnosed in 2012 with acute myeloid leukemia, a cancer of the blood and bone marrow. “If I live, I’m with my loved ones. If I die, I’m with my Lord and Savior.” Having been rushed to a hospital, then placed on a ventilator with a 10% chance of survival, it was Rob (and Donna’s) belief that the steadfast care of the cancer team and their faith gave Rob peace to breathe again on his own. With the mindset of “let’s do this,” Rob spent the next 100 days in the hospital, underwent a bone marrow transplant, chemotherapy, blood transfusions and physical therapy after enduring a stroke. He was then able to attend his many follow-up visits close to home. “My cancer diagnosis is only but a chapter in the larger story of my life,” Rob said. “But it is in this chapter and from this illness that so much love surfaced and many connections were formed that may not have otherwise.” Now, 12 years later, Rob is living life like he did before his diagnosis — playing and coaching competitive racquetball, spending time with family and is soon to retire from his 39-year career as a dedicated and well-known rural postal carrier. “God has given me a second chance and the opportunity to share with others that even when given a bleak prognosis that this disease can be survived,” he said. Donna’s Chapter: Encouragement for a Healthier Future “My journey with cancer started at a young age when my mother was diagnosed with melanoma,” Donna said. “Many, many years later my father also battled his own cancer diagnosis of the colon.” These early experiences with cancer left a lasting impression on Donna, so much so that she pursued a career in health care. “Serving as a nurse for many years, I was able to funnel my passion for education and the importance of early cancer detection through screenings and annual checkups,” she said. Fast forward to 2021, when Donna’s diligence and passion for taking an active role in one’s own health and wellness proved its value. “I went in for my annual mammogram and it was then that cancer was found — stage 1 breast cancer,” Donna said. Because the cancer was detected early it hadn’t spread to any surrounding lymph nodes. Donna was able to have a lumpectomy followed by five rounds of radiation therapy. “Setting aside time for an annual screening appointment may seem daunting but it sure beats the time needed to treat cancer if not caught early,” Donna said. Honor & Celebrate — an Annual Tradition Each year since 2013, Rob and Donna have joined other cancer survivors at the National Cancer Survivors Day event hosted by the Samaritan Cancer Program. The Durbins shared that the event provides a mutual affirmation for them. One, to see the cancer team that cared for each of them and two, to show the team they are alive and well — that their work matters. Both Rob and Donna expressed that their individual, yet connected, chapters with cancer are a tribute to their faith and their care teams, and a reminder to not take life for granted. To learn more about cancer care at Samaritan, visit samhealth.org/Cancer.
