Former Quincy residents now in Florida release e-book about simultaneous battles with cancer

Hutmacher

A copy of the cover of the book, "The Cancer Couple," written by Mike and Barbara Hutmacher. | Submitted photo

QUINCY — Michael and Barbara (Birkenmaier) Hutmacher, formerly of Quincy and residents of The Villages in Florida since 2016, recently released their Kindle e-book “The Cancer Couple.”

Starting in 2019, they suffered simultaneous battles with cancer and feel fortunate they found excellent medical facilities and providers.

Mike was battling Stage 4 melanoma. He had a hunch, but it took one year for one of his oncologists to confirm that his case was originally considered terminal. Six months after his diagnosis, Barb was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer. For the next two years, they battled their respective diseases.

In a press release, Michael Hutmacher said, “The book depicts what it was like for us to simultaneously experience radiation, surgery, chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments. It is hard to describe the toll that cancer and its treatment took on our bodies, minds and spirits. But, we tried. While we were thankful for each new day, each new day required a commitment to survive. We are so appreciative for the support that our families and friends provided during their journeys.”

The Hutmachers, married for 25 years, raised their six children in Quincy and were active in several civic and service organizations. Mike served as the CEO of Recovery Resources, now Preferred Family Healthcare, for more than 21 years. He later served as the administrator of the Illinois Veterans Home. Barb was the area director of Adecco Employment Services for 11 years and later served as the director of Bickford Senior Living in Quincy. Mike is an Army veteran. 

The book describes the costs of treatment, the effects on family, friends and pets. So many books about personal cancer experiences focus on the introspection of how life has changed for them. However, they tend to ignore the intimate details of the treatment process that caused those changes to their bodies, minds and spirits. This book provides a different perspective.

“The book is a tribute, not to us, but to the veterans of the war on cancer, whether they have won or lost their battle,” Mike said. “It is for the friends and family on the sidelines who provide support while appearing to be strong yet are deflated by the odds. It is for everyone to learn that they simply don’t want to be one of the millions each year who develop this ugly disease.

“This is how we choose to share our separate but simultaneous journeys.  It’s our hope that people will find value in our story. We aren’t heroes. There are so many others like us  For those who are just beginning their journey, we wish them the absolute best.”

The book can be found at Amazon.com: The Cancer Couple: “In Sickness and in Health.”

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