Happily Ever After
After active duty, Herman returned to his wife in DC. He became a Physical Education teacher for DC Public Schools. Ashbennett was well into her nursing career. They had two sons, Yucinto (called Yul) and Horiatio (called Ray). Their love for one another grew stronger by the year. Herman chimes, “She was a beautiful wife…and a great cook.”
They lived the proverbial “happily-ever-after” life. Then, in June 2012, Ashbennett began experiencing severe abdominal pains. Several doctors examined her. When they discovered gall bladder problems, the doctors removed gall stones and kidney stones.
Two weeks later, the pain returned. Ashbennett went to another doctor. He discovered a tumor in her abdomen. She was later diagnosed with duodenal cancer. Duodenal cancer is a rare growth in your duodenum, which is below the stomach at the beginning of the small intestines. The Cannons were now in a fight for her life.
A Second Opinion Please!
They went to a popular hospital in Washington, DC. The doctors tried to help but her kind of cancer was so rare that the doctors spent two weeks trying to figure out what to do. Meanwhile, the tumor continued to grow.
Frustrated, Herman requested a second opinion at another hospital. The original hospital advised against it. They wanted to do the surgery…even though they didn’t know what they were doing. But Herman pushed back. He asked the doctors, “If this was your mother or wife or sister, would you not get a second opinion?” Finally the doctors relented.
They arranged to have the surgery done at Georgetown Hospital by Dr. Fred Jackson, a renowned surgeon who specialized in that type of cancer. But the original hospital delayed the release of her medical records. Herman kept fighting against them until they released her records.
Chemo
The surgery went as well as could be expected for that type of rare cancer. Dr. Jackson removed most of the cancer but had to leave part of the tumor because, if he removed it, she would have bled-out on the table. He recommended getting rid of the remaining tumor with chemotherapy.
But seven weeks of chemo did not work. And the doctor said there was nothing else he could do. Hospice was her next option.
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What a beautiful couple and a touching story. I really hope we find a cure for cancer soon. It has taken so many lives.
Thanks Briana.
What a beautiful beautiful story of love, respect and admiration. and the way you told it was just everything, I feel like I know Herman and Ashbennett and I am so sorry for their loss. Thank you for sharing this and please send me a flyer or something so that I can post Zuriworks initiative on my social sites. Peace 🙂
Thanks Stacey. The only marketing collateral I have is ZuriWorks website. They have a youtube video and some copy. I hope that is sufficient. http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/zuriworks-exposures-project-other-faces-of-cancer
Wow, this was such a beautiful story, literally making me tear up. I’m so sorry you lost who sounded like an amazing sister. I will keep her husband and children in prayer. Thank you so much for sharing this with us Heath. We definitely have to continue to fight against all cancer until we no longer have to suffer loss. I will definitely be sure to share.
We definitely do Christine. I appreciate you prayers for my family.
sounds like Scooter and Allison to me. She told me how he took care of her.
This is such an inspirational story! I know that word is overused, but I don’t know how else to describe it! I always say that God has an amazing ability to turn a burden into a blessing, and this is a living example of that! Thank you Heather for sharing the story.
I think your sister would be proud of you for continuing her fight here on earth. Despite the pain, I am glad she experienced such pleasure. I would be truly blessed to find a husband like Herman:) They are an amazing example of true love and til death do us part–although I’m positive she never parted from Herman’s heart!
Thanks Heather. It is important to me that we get the word out about cancer awareness. I’m glad you were encouraged by their story.
With eyes wet, I say thank you for sharing this story and opportunity to help with Cancer Awareness through ZuriWorks
Thank Utokia. They appreciate your support.
What a beautiful story. I am a cancer survivor and was married to someone who chose to abandon as I struggled to get well. I have been afraid to date. This story is amazing, it’s hard to find men who are so selfless and are loving leaders. We need to hear more stories like this one. Thank you for your efforts with this website. God bless.
That sucks Patricia! My heart just breaks to hear your husband left and would not stick by your side when you were fighting for your life. I hope this story gives you some encouragement that there are men of noble character out there. I hope your find love that knows no bounds (if you haven’t already found it). God bless.