 Janet Trevor died on January 15, 1999, in the same manner as she lived, savoring fully every last drop. She was 55. A survivor of three separate cancers since the age of five, she learned the magic of turning life's misfortunes into personal transformation, as against the odds, she found abundance, joy, and meaning where others might have found despair.At age five, Janet survived a neuroblastoma, which necessitated the removal of her right eye. The prognosis at the time was that she was "90% terminal." A year of radiation and an eye prosthesis followed, and Janet proved the prognosis wrong. She not only survived; she thrived. By the time she was in college, she had switched to her colorful trademark eye patches, a matching patch for each outfit. She turned facial disfigurement into stylish elegance, with her collection of hundreds of eye patches--patterned, sequined, beaded, brocaded. She declared herself "a swan" and went on to marry a fraternity president at Denver University, where she received her undergraduate degree, and became a teacher. She was told she would never have children, because of the effects of the radiation. Once again she defied dire predictions, and gave birth first to Andrew, and then to Sarah, who have been steadfast lights in her life to the last moment. At 35, Janet was diagnosed with breast cancer. If she could live without an eye, she could live without a breast. She continued to raise her children and go about her life, completing a divorce and a master's degree in counseling from South Dakota State University. This was followed by doctoral work in counseling psychology at the University of Arizona, with an emphasis on issues of death and dying. A luminary among luminaries, Janet’s professional life led to a close relationship with family therapy pioneer Virginia Satir, and studies with death and dying specialist Elizabeth Kubler Ross. Her career included counseling, therapy, consulting, training, and presenting at conferences.  At 47, Janet was found to have adenoid cystic carcinoma of the salivary gland. Surgery, neutron radiation, and many bouts of chemotherapy followed, leaving her body wracked with side effects, but her spirit undaunted. As she stated in an article written for Coping magazine in 1997, "I fill my life with a nutty sense of humor, adventures, speaking at national conferences, volunteering as the Executive Director of the Yul Brynner Head and Neck Cancer Foundation."
A sustaining ingredient in Janet's life was the devotion of her large network of friends around the country and the globe. Her lifelong friend Sue Culliton Towers gave literally thousands of hours of time over the last eight years, driving Janet to all her medical appointments and treatments. Another group of friends created a "Patch the Gap" fund, to help Janet with ever increasing bills for pain medication, and many more contributed. Still other friends prayed with her regularly. Her family was most thankful for this loyal, generous, extended family for all their gifts. Perhaps the single most important source of nourishment had been the loving presence of her mother, Lois Trever Basten, whose unwavering support throughout Janet’s life has been invaluable. Just before she died, Janet completed a book, The Beautiful Burden, about the experience of surviving cancer across a lifetime. She hoped this piece of her legacy would be a benefit to others struggling to live fully with the disease. Surrounded by family and friends, this world traveler and spiritual adventurer died peacefully in her home. |
