A couple from California is continuing to fight cancer together, more than two years into their battle. The wife, Cori Salazar, is facing her second round with cancer, having recently been diagnosed with a slow-growing type of pancreatic cancer.
Her husband, Zak Salazar, 40, has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer—a particularly aggressive form known as glioblastoma multiforme. Cori, also 40, discovered her cancer during a routine scan meant for kidney stones.
This diagnosis comes after Cori had successfully battled thyroid cancer about three years ago. The couple shares three young daughters: Juniper, 6, Delaney, 4, and Luna, 3, and the thought of their absence looms large for them.
The concern about not being there for their kids is heart-wrenching. “The thought of me not being around for them, or both of us not being around for them, was really scary,” Cori shared with a local news outlet. Zak echoed this sentiment, pondering the fate of their daughters if they both were gone.
Zak’s journey began when an ophthalmologist detected swelling in his optic nerves, leading to an emergency MRI that revealed a large mass in his brain. Doctors estimate his life expectancy at 12 to 18 months, with no cure available.
For Cori, a noticeable lump in her neck was the alarming signal that led to the discovery of thyroid cancer, which she had addressed with surgery. However, the subsequent diagnosis of pancreatic cancer required further surgery to remove her spleen and part of her pancreas, and she remains under observation.
After years of hardship, they’ve gained a deep appreciation for life. “That’s what we have is just like, right here, right now,” Cori remarked. Despite their struggles, their focus remains on providing love and security for their daughters, even amidst uncertainty.
