Here Comes the Sun: A Young Family's Journey through Cancer

by Brian Lucas

First Place Winner - Midwest Book Awards
Autobiography/Memoir

Here Comes the Sun is the tale of a quest. It offers a clear and honest look at what happens when an illness throws life off track, and how a combination of science, love, and serendipity can help put things right. At the age of thirty-four, Betsy Lucas was diagnosed with late-stage leukemia. Without treatment she had only months to live. At the time her daughters were ten months old and three years old. Together, Betsy and her husband, Brian, started a journey through chemo, radiation, and a bone marrow transplant. The path was far from steady, but with the help of countless supporters and a generous young man in Germany, they put one foot in front of the other, crossing days, months, and years off the calendar on the way to being cured. Here Comes the Sun isn't a cancer story-it's a love story.

Genres: Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

First published September 16, 2013

About the author

Brian Lucas lives in Minneapolis with his wife, Betsy, his daughters, Julia and Molly, and their dog, Bella.

Brian has spent decades telling stories. As an undergraduate at Princeton University, he worked on a nationally syndicated radio show called American Focus, where he got to interview influential figures such as Tom Brokaw, Peter Jennings, Connie Chung and Norman Mailer.

After college Brian pursued a career in journalism, interning with CNN in Washington, DC, and then working as a reporter for Minnesota Public Radio. He earned a Masters Degree in Broadcasting from Northwestern University and started working as a television reporter for the CBS station in La Crosse, Wisconsin. After four years on the air, he switched careers, moving back to his hometown of Minneapolis and starting a career in public relations. That’s when he was set up on a blind date with Betsy.

Brian’s PR career has taken him to Best Buy, to Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, and now to the University of Minnesota, where he is senior director of communications for the Academic Health Center.

Brian is chair of the board of the Minnesota Chapter of the Leukemia Lymphoma Society. In 2006, he was named to the Twin Cities Business Journal’s annual “40 under 40” list of influential members of the local business community. He is a graduate of the Leadership Twin Cities program and he completed the Policy Fellows program at the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of public affairs.

Reviews

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I hadn’t already had prior knowledge about the subject I would have given this book a five out of five rating. It provided a phenomenal snapshot of what it is like being the recipient of a bone marrow transplant. My only wish is that there weren’t as many gaps in the timeline and there had been more details surrounding when they met their donor.

Coming from someone who works for Be The Match, it is quite fascinating being able to read from the recipient’s perspective. In my position at Be The Match, I work only with the potential donors, as noted in the book, when they’re being contacted about being matches for a searching patient.

Reading about the difficulties with donors not being available really struck a chord for me, as I experience it firsthand on a daily basis with several of the donors I work with. What I’ve learned is many of them are not fully aware of what it is they are being asked to do, or the immense amount of time with loved ones they would potentially be able to give a patient and their family if they were to proceed and donate. Many people are afraid of the unknown and it is books like this one that really allow us to delve into the beauty of registries such as Be The Match’s.

For anyone reading this book - please know there is a constant need for bone marrow donors. A majority of cancer patients do not have matches within their own family, and it’s at that point they turn to bone marrow registries to search for an unrelated donor match. Even if you only take away one thing from reading this book, I hope it is the knowledge that we can always do more to help others. Join the registry, spread the word. Even just talking about it and getting the message out might be enough for somebody else to take action and sign up. All it takes is one person to save a life.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brian Lucas’ story of his wife’s Betsy’s battle with Leukemia. As a cancer survivor who also had a bone marrow transplant, I found their story honest, open, and heartwarming.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This memoir is everything I expected it to be, and more. Brian Lucas creates a loving tribute to his wife's tenacious fight against Leukemia, brimming with honesty, gratitude, and a grounded perspective. But it is more than a story of Betsy's survival, more than a sincere thank you to the miracles of medicine and the generosity of a young marrow donor.

This book is a testament to the love and resilience of a young family buoyed by their relationships with friends and family, old and new. It is uplifting. Powerful. An inspiring read for anyone facing life's uphill battles -- from an eloquent and humble man who's journeyed that road, sometimes while wearing women's triathlon shorts.

[Ck Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you a caregiver? Or might you be a caregiver someday? That's probably true for most all of us. You never know when the term caregiver may apply to you, whether it be for an immediate family member or a close friend or someone in your faith community. When that day comes, you will be glad you read this book. Informational, inspiring, immensely readable. Many takeaways that will be helpful for all who read this. Thanks, Brian for sharing your family's story.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

"...as powerful as cancer is, the human spirit is stronger" (158). A really well-written and inspiring story of a young family's journey through cancer, told through journal entries and reminiscences. It was especially touching after having met Betsy in my last season with Team In Training. Such a strong and sweet family!