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Misty Judd and family’s Spotlight
Since my wife, Misty Judd, was first diagnosed with breast cancer, I have been working hard to build and grow my farm so that I would be able to spend more time at home taking care of my wife and my girls. Up until 10/28/24 I was growing my business slowly with full anticipation Misty’s breast cancer was on the mend. However, on 10/28/24 we found that the breast cancer had metastasized and was now in her brain. From that moment on, growing my business has been my number one priority. Judd’s Quail is now an NPIP certified quail farm, shipping eggs nationwide.
While I love my job as a paramedic, I want to be at home caring for my wife; not away from my home caring for others. I don’t know how much time I have left with her. We are praying for many more years together. She is the love of my life. My rock. And while I want nothing more than to grow old with her, the diagnosis is daunting. Honestly, I am scared to death. I don’t want to spend another day away from her. I want to cherish every moment. You can help me reach my goal. First, please visit my business page Judd’s Quail and give the page a like/follow. Second, please ask your friends to visit my Facebook page and my website. This will help me grow my business, support my family, and keep me home so I can care for my wife as she bravely and boldly takes on this new battle. Thank you all for your love and support. Our Go Fund Me link is here.
1) Is there any advice or tips you have found that might help someone else going through this journey?
The best advice I can give is to pray. Seek God and His will. This is a tough journey that no one should do alone. Your faith in God is what will truly get you through no matter what happens. The next piece of advice I would offer is to simply take things one day at a time. Cancer treatments are not static and look differently for everyone. The plans will change, the medications will change, and you see many different doctors. When a person is diagnosed with cancer, they will have to be flexible. Your situation will be very fluid. Finally, do not compare your situation to anyone else's. Everyone's journey is different.
2) How has Misty’s cancer brought your family closer?
Our family was very close in the first place. Misty has always been a stay at home mom and we homeschooled the girls when they were younger. The thing I am most proud of is how my girls have really rallied around their mother. They have been very flexible. When plans change at the last moment, they understand. When Mom is sick, they understand. When Mom needs help, they understand. Moreover, I have developed a great appreciation for all the work Misty did before she got sick. I've realized Misty was always the house manager. I was just the assistant. Her work load was very heavy, yet she never complained. In terms of growing closer, I think we have all just grown to appreciate how much Mom really does for us.
3) What struggles have you faced that may help someone else prepare for?
This question is difficult to answer simply because everyone's journey is difficult. To an extent, I would suggest that taking things one day at a time is my best piece of advice. Beyond that, I would say that people need to be prepared to let others help. When you receive your diagnosis. A lot of people will say, "Let me know if you need anything." The fact is, most people truly mean that. Take them up on their offers. Do not try to do everything by yourself. Let people bring you dinner. Accept donations. Let people pick up groceries for you. Before one of out girls got her farm permit, I took a friend up on her offer to help with the kids. She took them to and from school on the days that I worked and never would let me pay for gas. Another friend would make trips to the store to pick up milk and bread or other small items when I was at work. We had some other friends who would occasionally bring dinner to us. The bottom line is, when people offer to help, they really want to help.
4) Any doctors or resources you have found helpful that others may find useful?
To be honest, I really have not found too many helpful resources out there aside from friends, family, and our church.. You will receive a ton of advice. People will tell you what their friends and family have done during their journey. While folks are just trying to be nice and offer the best advice they can, their journey is not your journey. Rely heavily on your doctors and even more on God. Stay off Google. Stay out of Facebook groups. Cancer is extremely complex. The science around cancer changes very, very fast. Treatments that were used just a couple of years ago may already be outdated or better treatments have emerged since then. Remember, this is a specialty that physicians have attended 14 years of college, internships, and residencies to master. The doctors really do have the best interest of the patient at heart. All that being said, searching for local resources, help groups, therapists, etc. may be very useful. We found a group called the Reynold's Center near us that provides wigs, dinners, and fuel cards to patients receiving care. Any local resource like that will be very valuable.