Introduction
We innovators thrive on possibilities. We spend our days sketching blueprints in our heads, conjuring prototypes in our workshops, and reminding ourselves that nothing is impossible if we just approach it creatively. Yet, as I share in this deeply personal reflection, there are some challenges that even the most determined, problem-solving mind cannot conquer—like stage IV metastatic breast cancer.
For years, I’ve told people never to accept “it can’t be done” as the final word. But when it comes to terminal illness—especially when it impacts someone you love—there’s a stark, heart-wrenching reality: our own brilliance, determination, and imagination can’t always solve it. Below, I open up about my wife’s battle with metastatic breast cancer, the emotional weight of that struggle, and the delicate balance between holding onto hope and accepting what can’t be changed.
The video below was recorded, appropriately enough, on a rainy day.
The Inventor’s Dilemma: Confronting the Unfixable
If you identify as an inventor or a creator, you likely understand the compulsion to fix, solve, and improve. It’s more than a job—it’s a worldview. So when faced with a problem that defies every ounce of creativity you can muster, it’s disorienting.
- Fatal Reality
- We’re mortal. Being born is a “fatal condition”—a fact we usually keep at arm’s length. For the inventor’s mind, death feels like a glitch in the system, a puzzle piece that hasn’t been found yet. But ironically, it’s the one challenge we know no one escapes.
- Love’s Power—and Its Powerlessness
- My wife has stage IV metastatic breast cancer. For me, it’s an everyday reminder that my unwavering belief in “I can fix this” has limitations. I love her deeply, but love doesn’t cure disease.
- Living with Uncertainty
- We can read scientific papers, track experimental treatments, hold out for breakthroughs—but the truth is, no single act of creative genius on my part will necessarily halt this disease. That vulnerability weighs heavily on someone used to saying, “Let’s figure this out.”
Rainy Skies in Vancouver: A Metaphor for Hope and Despair
I’m writing this on a cold, rainy day in Vancouver—a fitting atmosphere. It feels like those heavy clouds overhead mirror the heaviness in my soul. Yet, as every resident of Vancouver knows, the sun inevitably comes back out. That is hope, not a guarantee or a blueprint for success, but a reminder that storms (literal and metaphorical) don’t last forever. Of course, as metastatic breast cancer cannot yet be cured, I know with a high degree of certainty that the storms in my life will continue to return.
- Glimmers of Future Breakthroughs
- Researchers worldwide are racing against time, pursuing new therapies and better understanding of metastatic cancer. With enough perseverance and luck, these efforts may transform what is now terminal into something chronic—or even curable.
- Accepting the Unknown
- In the same way we wait for a break in the rain, we wait for that scientific breakthrough. We can’t control the weather, and we can’t command medical miracles on our personal timetable. Instead, we hold on to the possibility that tomorrow might be better.
Balancing Determination and Acceptance
One of the toughest personal lessons I’ve had to learn is that accepting reality doesn’t mean giving up. You can cherish each moment, fight with everything you have, and still let yourself grieve the fact that you can’t control the outcome.
- Embracing the Present
- The constant fear of losing someone dear can overshadow daily life. But there’s also the reminder to truly live each day—fill it with sincerity, love, and presence.
- Shifting Focus
- If I can’t solve metastatic breast cancer, I can direct my creative energies to supporting the people who are searching for that cure. I can follow the research, share knowledge, and advocate for funding.
- A Larger Perspective
- Eventually, every one of us faces mortality. While it feels especially unfair when someone we love battles an illness like cancer, it also underscores that preciousness of time—the shared universal limit.
A Plea for Progress
My inventor’s heart might not unravel the intricacies of cancer biology, but I can call upon the same spirit of innovation, collaboration, and tireless effort in a broader context:
- Support Research
- Even if it won’t arrive in time to save my wife’s life, your donations or advocacy might benefit countless others in the future. The road to breakthroughs is paved with collective efforts.
- Lean on Community
- If you or someone you know is going through a similar struggle, remember you’re not alone. Organizations exist that bring together patients, survivors, loved ones, and medical professionals.
- Share Your Skills
- You may not be a cancer researcher, but you can use your creative or technical background in support roles—data analysis, lab automation, biotech startups, or philanthropic tech solutions. Creativity is rarely limited to one domain.
Conclusion: Hope, Love, and the Sun After the Rain
Yes, being an inventor fosters an enduring belief that every problem has a solution. And yet, my wife’s diagnosis has forced me to confront a truth that innovation alone can’t conquer all. Sometimes, the best we can do is keep loving, keep hoping, and keep living—one day, one moment at a time.
We never know when the storm will pass or whether it will pass in time for those we love. But life’s unpredictability also holds space for unexpected breakthroughs and the resilience of the human spirit. In the meantime:
- Live each day wholeheartedly.
- Cherish those around you.
- Channel your inventive mindset into small, meaningful acts—like advocating, donating, or supporting new research.
Because even in the absence of a perfect solution, sharing hope and kindness might be the most transformative invention of all.
Thank you for taking a moment to share in this personal journey. If you feel moved to help, consider donating to a reputable breast cancer research organization. Together, we can bring a bit more sunlight to a future often overshadowed by uncertainty.