Jana and her husband, Doug, just celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary—something she once thought impossible. In 2007, Doug was diagnosed with a rare form of T-cell Lymphoma, a cancer. Their doctor had been blunt: “You either beat it, or it beats you.”
The Day Everything Changed
Jana still remembers the exact moment she heard the diagnosis. She was in the recovery waiting room when the doctor delivered the news.
Jana still remembers the exact day she was told her husband had cancer. She was in the recovery waiting room when the doctor told her. “I felt like an astronaut on Apollo 13, with a wounded ship, drifting without direction,” she recalls. But as the shock set in, she felt God’s presence surrounding her. She had always treated God with great respect, but kind of as an invisible friend. But in that moment, He felt undeniably near. “It’s hard to explain, but it was as if something was holding me up when I felt like I was going to fall.” At that moment, three of her prayers were answered immediately.
One of those prayers was that she wouldn’t have to be the one to tell Doug. Jana dreaded the thought of being the one to tell Doug he had cancer. As he slowly woke from surgery, she stood by his side, gathering the courage to break the devastating news. Just as she was about to speak, the doctor entered the room, sparing her from the heartbreaking task.
Photo: The Hanback Family, Jana, Doug and their 4 children
Holding the Family Together
At home, Jana and Doug had four children between the ages of 9 and 16. She knew they would fear the worst if left in the dark. Just then, her phone rang. It was a close friend from their church, asking if he could help in any way. Jana asked him to sit with Doug while she went home to talk to the kids. Being a pediatrician at the hospital, he arrived within 15 minutes.
Driving home, a Bible verse came to mind: 2 Timothy 1:7—For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control. Gripping the steering wheel, she repeated it over and over until she reached home, where she calmly delivered the news to her children.
Photo: Doug and Jana did their best to create a sense of normalcy for their children, ensuring that, no matter what, family remained at the heart of their routine. Dinner time was more than just a meal—it was a cherished time for conversation, laughter, and connection.
The Reality of Cancer
Doug’s chemotherapy began on a Monday. Though he continued to lead Bible study and pastor their church, the effects of treatment became evident. By Thursday, he stepped out of the shower completely bald.
“No one told us how fast it would happen. It suddenly became very real,” Jana said.
Despite the hardship, their church community rallied around them, providing meals, picking up the kids, and helping with household tasks. The friendships they formed during that time became one of the unexpected blessings of their journey.
A Marriage Tested and Strengthened
Doug, usually punctual, was never late. “He was 20 minutes early to our first date,” Jana laughed. But one day, before a chemo appointment, Doug lingered over chores. When Jana reminded him of their schedule, he said sternly, “I’m not going.”
Stunned, Jana encouraged him to get in the car. As they entered the parking lot of the cancer center, he delivered another blow: “You don’t need to come in with me.”
“It felt like a dagger to my heart. I had been with him at every appointment and through every chemo session. Watching him walk through that door alone, knowing he didn’t want to go, was one of the worst moments of my life.”
Victory and Another Battle
After six months of treatment, Doug was declared cancer-free. The joy of that day was indescribable. They had grown closer, and their faith and gratitude had deepened.
Eighteen months later, during a routine scan, the cancer was back—this time spreading to Doug’s liver, kidney, thyroid, and lungs. His response was unwavering:
“This is a win-win. I either get to stay with my family or walk with Jesus. Either way, it’s a win.”
The only option was a newly released oral chemotherapy. Jana was terrified. “I didn’t know what would happen when he took that first pill.” Doug, ever calm, took it and left for his study. Jana secretly watched through the window to make sure he was okay. An hour later, he stumbled back across the lawn, barely making it to bed.
“For the next several months, it became a routine: an hour after taking the pill, he would sleep for four hours, then wake up feeling okay.”
Photo: Doug keeps his sense of humor by playfully putting his daughter’s hair on his head, all in good fun since he doesn’t have any of his own.
Another Miraculous Recovery
When it came time for new scans, the doctor’s office felt like a party. The new treatment had worked. Doug was cancer-free once again!
With a newfound perspective, they cherished the small joys of life. Their resilience inspired those around them, proving that adversity could bring unexpected blessings.
Photo: For their 25th wedding anniversary, their children made them dinner and a cake. They stayed home, as it was treatment week, and he didn’t have the strength to go out and celebrate.
Facing Another Diagnosis
In 2020, Doug was diagnosed with bladder cancer. This time, their faith was unshaken. He underwent immunotherapy, which caused flu-like symptoms but was manageable.
Now cancer-free and retired, Doug spends his time caring for his 89-year-old mother, who requires ongoing support. Both he and Jana have embraced their roles as caregivers, leading Jana to write the book she wished had existed in their darkest moments.
Sharing Their Story to Help Others
Jana’s book, Discovered Tools to Triumph in Tragedy, chronicles their journey, offering faith-based guidance to help others navigate life’s challenges.
The Hanbacks’ story is a testament to resilience, faith, and the power of community. They have faced life-threatening illness, strengthened their marriage, and deepened their spiritual journey—all while uplifting those around them.
Jana’s book is available on Amazon Amazon.com: Discovered Tools to Triumph in Tragedy: 9781664270459: Hanback, Jana: Books