Jack and Joy - C.S. Lewis and Joy Davidman

How did Joy react to her cancer diagnosis?  We can answer that question by reading a letter she wrote to her ex-husband, William ("Bill) Lindsay Gresham:

10, Old High Street
Headington
Oxford

October 19, 1956

Dear Bill:

...The other night I fell which left my leg totally useless and in agonizing pain; then the ambulance came and carted me off here.  I am now resting comfortably and it's a lovely place - all on one floor, acres of green grass and flowers, one whole window of my room glass.

But the prospects are not good.  I shan't know definitely for a few days, till they get finished with blood cultures and urine tests.  But the X-rays showed the bone looking "moth-eaten" - and they are talking of carcinomas or leukemia.  In short, it is fairly probable that I am going to die.

I am only moderately afraid for myself.  I've been very tired for a long time.  But I am alarmed for the boys (I have told them nothing yet, of course).  My will appoints Jack and his lawyer as their guardians, and I think it is essential for them to finish their education here - a break now would upset them irreparably.  Jack has promised to see to their schooling ...  (Out of My Bone:  The Letters of Joy Davidman, edited by Don W. King, page 297.)

This photo depicts Jack Lewis and Joy Davidman Gresham Lewis at the Kilns, their Oxford home.

Credits

Image of C.S. Lewis and Joy Davidman Gresham Lewis, online courtesy Douglas Gresham "Into the Wardrobe" website.

Quoted passage - from Joy Gresham's 19 October 1956 letter to her ex-husband - included in Out of My Bone:  The Letters of Joy Davidman, edited by Don W. King, at page 297.  Online, courtesy Google Books.