For New Jersey resident Suzanne Hyde, cancer has been a constant presence in her life—not once, but three times. She first encountered it as a devoted caregiver to her mother, then again while caring for her husband, and ultimately through her own diagnosis as a patient.
Rather than allowing those experiences to define her by the emotional impact they caused, Suzanne transformed them into a mission of hope. Today, she is a lifeline for other caregivers, helping them navigate one of life's most difficult journeys with compassion, understanding, and the reassurance that they are not alone.
Thrust Into Caregiving
In 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Suzanne's 80-year-old mother was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and was immediately hospitalized. The initial plan was for a 30-day course of treatment, but after just 19 days, doctors had to stop because her body could no longer tolerate it.
In January 2021, Suzanne received a call to pick up her mother from the front steps of the hospital. Because of COVID, families were largely restricted from going inside hospitals, and when her mother was discharged, Suzanne struggled with little expectation as to what would come next.
"My mother was almost completely incapacitated—physically and mentally," Suzanne recalls.
Leaving behind her husband and beloved dog, Suzanne moved two hours north into her mother's home to become her full-time caregiver. It was thought that her mother had only weeks to live, yet six years later, she continues to defy those expectations after enduring a feeding tube, 12 spinal taps, two pleurectomies, and countless other medical challenges.
For Suzanne, however, the emotional weight of caregiving was overwhelming. A few weeks into her new role as caregiver, a physician introduced Suzanne to Cancer Hope Network.
Suzanne was matched with Terry Kelly—a mentor she is still in touch with today. Their conversations became a source of strength during one of the most challenging periods of Suzanne's life.
When Cancer Came Home Again
Just as life began to stabilize, cancer returned.
At the end of 2023, Suzanne's husband was diagnosed with bilateral lung cancer. Once again, Suzanne stepped into the role of caregiver—attending appointments, supporting him through two surgeries, and caring for him throughout his recovery. At one point, both her husband and her mother were hospitalized at the same time, leaving Suzanne balancing two cancer journeys simultaneously.
Then, in 2024, while her husband was still recovering, Suzanne heard the words no one expects to hear. She had breast cancer.
Fortunately, her cancer was detected early. Throughout her treatment, her husband stepped into the role of caregiver, providing unwavering support as she underwent radiation therapy. Today, both she and her husband are cancer free, a testament to their resilience and the strength they found in supporting one another.
But amid her own diagnosis, one thing became abundantly clear: the support she had once received through Cancer Hope Network was something she aspired to share with others.
Turning Gratitude Into Purpose
Long before her own diagnosis, Suzanne had already completed volunteer mentor training with Cancer Hope Network, determined to one day give back in the way Terry had been there for her.
Once her treatment was completed, she began mentoring other caregivers who were facing the same uncertainty she had once experienced.
"Being paired with someone who truly understands, that is what makes all the difference," Suzanne says. "Your friends are your friends, but if they haven't been through it, they just can't relate."
She describes Cancer Hope Network as a safe place where caregivers and patients can express fear, frustration, grief, and hope without judgment.
To date, Suzanne has mentored eight caregivers, helping each of them to find strength and support when they need it most.
A New Version of Life
Suzanne says that cancer changes you in ways that aren't always visible.
"After cancer, there is a new version of you," she says. "While others may not be able to see it, you need to honor it."
Her advice for anyone facing cancer or caring for someone who is: "Life is short. Live it."
Today, Suzanne continues to work full time while making space for what matters most. She and her husband cherish time together, especially traveling in their RV and "glamping" enroute to visit family while embracing the simple joys that cancer taught them never to take for granted.
After caring for those she loves most and surviving cancer herself, Suzanne’s legacy is one of compassion—transforming her own cancer journey into hope for others in the midst of caregiving.
