Emily K.

About Emily K.

My uncle, Bill Bryant, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in the fall of 2013. It had already metastasized to his bones, causing debilitating pain in his hips and legs. Despite the diagnosis and the pain, Bill continued to work for Ball State University in the T-Comm department and doing replay video work for the Indianapolis Colts. Throughout it all, Bill’s wife, my Aunt Holly, was an incredible caregiver. She spent HOURS researching care options, medical opportunities, anything that could either alleviate Bill’s pain or increase his chances of survival. Holly and Bill have two girls, my cousins Heidi and Kendall, and the four of them became this incredible, inseparable team, speaking out for the need for more cancer research. They participated in Relay for Life and advocated for prostate research and recognition here in Muncie. Our mayor declared September Bill Bryant Prostate Awareness month. In his journey, Bill advocated for other men, for increased testing and awareness. It was just like him to use his story and his platform to help others.

Unfortunately, it become clear in 2015 that Bill was not going to recover from cancer in this life. He went into the hospital in December of 2015 and stayed there until his passing in June of 2016. Holly took a leave of absence from her job and made it her mission to stay by Bill’s side in the hospital, taking meticulous notes and checking in with doctors. She was there before first round and left after the night shift round. She slept at home and returned to the hospital every single morning. She became friends with every singe tech, nurse, doctor, custodian, dietary person… every single hospital worker that came in was greeted warmly, as only Holly can, and included in our circle of care for Bill. Of course Holly wanted a miracle. Of course she wanted her soul mate to live. But more than that, she wanted to ensure that the very best care was given to Bill and that he was comfortable. When he could no longer advocate for himself, she took over. When the meds made him loopy, she ensured that the work emails made sense and the bills were paid on time. She was a rock. And at 6:28pm on June 28th, when she said her goodbye, she knew in her heart that she wouldn’t have changed a single thing regarding his care. We were all there when he passed away. Holly, in a gesture I still can’t understand, was willing to share this very private and heartbreaking moment with the people who loved Bill the most. I watched him take his last breath, and thought she was devastated, Holly made sure he was comfortable. The love shared in that moment between Holly and Bill was a magnificent love, a love developed over 35 years. A love that said it’s not good bye but see you later. It was a deep and abiding love, and it was an honor to witness.

My family has incurred an enormous amount of loss. My grandparents had six children, and all three boys (Patrick, Mark, and Bill) have all passed away from different forms of cancer. My Aunt Holly watched my Aunt Jan go through this entire process with my Uncle Mark, and I know that she modeled her steadfast dedication to my uncle and to his care because of the caregivers who have gone before her. Despite the fact that Bill’s journey with cancer lasted over two years, it felt like it all happened in a blink of an eye. I still sometimes forget that he isn’t here. Holly has continued her work as a caregiver, as Bill’s best friend and biggest fan, by working to create the Bill Bryant Sports Production Scholarship at Ball State. Telling stories through film was Bill’s passion, and Holly ensured that his legacy would continue, a lasting gift from his favorite caregiver and one of the strongest women I know.

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