Left Behind: When Cancer is Misdiagnosed and a Family is Left Behind

Left Behind punctuates the experiences of a family before, during, and after the loss of a father to a misdiagnosed form of cancer. It is written through the perspective of a young man in his early 20’s of the trials, struggles, adjustments, and lessons learned by the family left behind and the family dynamic that developed following a tragic loss. Left Behind is aimed at those who are struggling to recover from the emotional and even physical turmoil that can follow the loss of a loved one, to accept the loss, or to establish how to live in a world where a critical family member no longer exists. Grieving can take months to years, and the grieving process following the loss of an immediate family member to cancer is truly frightening, unpredictable, and confusing. Those who are left behind often become angry, withdrawn, and bitter while others fall into patterns of depression, confusion, and regret. Furthermore, cancers that lead to death because of gross negligence or misdiagnosis can present even greater lasting effects because of heightened levels of confusion and anger toward a profession that is increasingly known for poor quality of care and patient advocacy. Losing someone to cancer is a trial with which only those left behind can understand. Let us not forget those who we’ve lost. Let us learn from the trials and failures throughout the journey of fighting cancer. Let us realize that the future is bright no matter how dark the past is. Left Behind is a true story that will help those who have lost someone close to realize that they are not alone. That what they are feeling does in fact happen to others. That they are not dysfunctional or lost. Though the moments following a death can be very dark, the future is bright.