It's great to hear about dads and their daughters doing things together. However, when both have advanced cancer and fight it at the same time, that's a tough road. It's a road that Star Trek icon William Shatner, 95, and his daughter, Melanie Shatner Gretsch, 61, walked at the same time, per People. He was diagnosed with stage 4 malignant melanoma that metastasized to his brain and lungs. Melanie had stage 4 breast cancer. That sounds like a genuine nightmare for both of them.
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But their resilience, mutual love and support, and fortitude got them though. Both Shatners survived a physical and emotional ordeal that most of us can scarcely imagine.
Once, when Melanie was having a particularly hard time, her dad said encouragingly, "This is going to be a blip in your life. You're going to get through this, and it'll be a memory.'" Today, William Shatner proudly underscores how close they all are. "We're a very together family. We're bonded by all kinds of difficulties that we've overcome." They have both been "cancer-free" for about a year and a half, according to the outlet.
The Shatners Never Let Themselves Surrender
When one of them flagged, the other was there to pick them up. Per the outlet, Melanie acknoledges she had some dire thoughts. "I remember vividly thinking, 'I don't have the strength to take care of myself and lose my father at the same time.'" Her dad reminded her, "They said, 'You got cancer. If you came in later, you would have been dead.' See? That's my life. I think the universe is taking care of me."
Part of their strategy is appreciating the everyday miracles we all can notice. William Shatner shared, "I'm thinking of the miracle of a hummingbird, and of my dog taking a ball, and my children. I'm aware of the magic of it all."
Furthermore, the beloved actor added, "It's easy for us in this lovely home to say, 'Make your life meaningful.' It's much more difficult to be poverty-stricken and wonder how you're going to get through it. I've been there. But it's also possible to endure that and be aware of the beauty around you."
For Melanie, her cancer journey was transformative. She is grateful for making it through and for what it taught her. She says, "[Overcoming cancer] changed my life. I'm not so afraid anymore, and there's so much freedom and joy."
A New Joint Project Is Bringing Dad and Daughter Together
The Shatners will be doing a new health-themed podcast called No Time but Now starting on Wednesday, July 29. Their guests will reportedly include people like former figure skater Scott Hamilton. He overcame testicular cancer.
