Sitting in an oncologist's waiting room is one of life's more sobering experiences. The first thing that hit her was that she was there, not as a doctor, but as a cancer patient's wife.It didn't matter that Marianne was a family practitioner, or that her husband, Thom, was a death and dying therapist. Cancer, and all that went with it, had found them.This story shares their journey as they faced the most difficult challenge of their life together, and the beauty they discovered along the way in family, friends and living. Marianne Bette is a retired family physician from Southbury, Connecticut, the town where she was born and raised and still currently lives.After forty years in family medicine, she's enjoying her retirement and getting to spend time with her second husband, Gene. The two of them have a truck camper in which they have traveled around the United States, including driving to Alaska and back. (One of their favorite travel destinations.) They share a trusty rescue dog named Buttons, who is their constant companion and she loves camping too.Marianne has three daughters she's very proud of. Her oldest daughter Sarah lives in southern California with her family. While her other two daughters, Caitlin and Justine, both live in North Carolina.A consummate gardener and home chef, Marianne has also begun work on a third book. This one includes the inspiring stories of some of her former patients.Marianne loves to connect with her readers on Instagram (@bettemarianne) and invites you to follow her there.
