When Michelle and Brian Murdock, both 39, of Plainfield, Illinois, exchanged vows more than a decade ago, they never imagined that "in sickness and in health" would be put to the ultimate test. But when both were diagnosed with cancer within months of each other, they chose to fight side by side, turning their battle into a story of resilience, love and hope.
A Double Diagnosis
Brian, a systems engineer and Army veteran, was the first to receive devastating news. In May 2015, he was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a cancer of the blood. A man accustomed to problem-solving and staying composed under pressure, even he admitted, “When I was first told I had cancer, I was a wreck.” But with time, he collected himself and adopted a tactical mindset: “Identify the problem, formulate a solution and then execute the solution.”

By November 2015, as Brian celebrated completing his chemotherapy, Michelle, a credit manager, discovered a lump in her left breast. It was a shock that sent their world spinning yet again. “I never really did self-exams, but this lump just jumped out at me,” she recalled. In February 2016, she was diagnosed with stage 2B invasive ductal carcinoma.

Brian thought to himself, “How can this be happening to both of us?” But rather than allowing fear to consume them, the Murdocks made a life-changing decision—they were going to fight and win together.
Facing the Fight as a Team
Michelle underwent a double mastectomy, followed by chemotherapy and 33 sessions of radiation therapy. Meanwhile, Brian’s cancer, once in remission, relapsed in September 2016. “When I was re-diagnosed, I felt like we had become old hands at this,” Brian said. “I wasn’t upset. I just needed to fight.”
Instead of letting cancer separate them, the Murdocks made it a point to schedule their treatments together. They would drive to their local cancer center side by side, offering each other strength and support. “I love doing things with my husband,” Michelle said with a smile. “I just never imagined going to a cancer center would be one of them.”
Through it all, their children, Madison, then 8, and Logan, 5, became their biggest inspiration. They were open with their kids, explaining that “Mommy and Daddy are sick and taking medicine to get better,” but they chose to avoid the word cancer to shield them from fear.

A New Perspective on Life
As difficult as the journey was, the Murdocks found moments of light amid the darkness. Michelle documented her experience through her blog, Positively Surviving Cancer, using it as an outlet for both healing and helping others. “Helping them helps me,” she said. “That’s what I’ve really gotten from it.”
Their sense of humor remained intact, too. Michelle laughed as she recalled how her cat attacked her wigs or how Brian, in a moment of forgetfulness, mistook her for a mannequin when she was bald. “At least he gets to keep his hair,” she joked.
During their battle with cancer, Michelle and Brian found strength in their love and renewed their vows twice—once in Las Vegas and again in Oahu, Hawaii. “It was important for us to do that because after everything we’ve been through, we cherish each other even more,” Michelle shared. “When you go through cancer together, you realize how strong your partner is.”
By October 2018, both Michelle and Brian were cancer-free.

Living with Gratitude
Brian often speaks about Michelle with deep admiration. “She was the rock of our family,” he said. “She took care of everyone. She made sure our kids were okay. She’s just an amazing woman.”
Looking back on their journey, the Murdocks see their battle with cancer not as a curse, but as a gift that reshaped their outlook on life. “Before I got sick, I was very work-oriented,” Brian admitted. “I still work hard, but if I had the choice of spending Saturday at work to get ahead or spending the day with my kids, the kids win every time.”
Michelle agreed. “Life is short, and you only have right now.”

Through love, resilience and unwavering faith, Michelle and Brian Murdock not only survived cancer, but they emerged from it stronger than ever. And in their story, there’s a message for everyone—life is precious, love fiercely and never let fear define your journey.