They share a name, they share a life together, have raised three daughters in a 53 year marriage, and now, they share in the challenges of cancer.
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When Tasmanian Chris Wedd, 72, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and given months to live, his wife Chriss, 71, was by his side.
He has outlived his three month prognosis, has passed the 12 month mark for a disease where diagnosis to death is five months, and continues fortnightly chemotherapy treatments for his inoperable cancer, living without answers as to how long he might have left and the hope that he has years.
Chriss is his carer through the thick and thin of it.
"The hardest part is just sitting back and seeing your partner of 55 years going through it all," she said.
"Even though my husband and I don't keep a lot from each other, it is still hard to tell him just how gutted I feel about it all. I go through very low periods where it is nice to have somebody to talk to."
When she feels the need, Chriss heads to the cancer service for a chat.
"I went in one day and just felt, I just didn't think I would be able to walk or do anything, I just felt so terrible," Chriss said.
"The lady chatted with me for half an an hour. I felt like a different person coming out, it was good talking to someone who understands what you are going through. Unless you have been through it, either as a patient or a carer, you really don't have any concept.
"It is just one of life's awful things that gets thrown at us."
Carers are often the forgotten in the journey of cancer.
As pancreatic cancer foundation PanKind chief executive Michelle Stewart says, carers are confronted with complex physical symptoms, and must provide emotional, financial, legal and spiritual support.
"It is a brutal diagnosis and a huge weight to bear," she said.
In light of this, PanKind is hoping that a trial service, which would see trained nurses provide counselling and education to carers of people with pancreatic cancer, will provide the support that carers need.
Psycho-Oncology expert Vanessa Beesley said the nurse-counsellor became a "tower or strength" for carers, and was someone outside of family to provide support.
For Chriss, who did receive help from one of their daughters who is a nurse, targeted guidance from a dedicated nurse from the start of the cancer journey would also have helped.
"Sometimes you don't know if the things he is going through are part of the treatment, or just part of the disease itself. They would be able to explain different symptoms, and guide me better in how to look after him."
She said the cancer does dominate their life, but they manage to set it to the side sometimes, and keep on going.
"When Chris is feeling well, we get out and do things. We try and do as many things as we can, have a break when we can, just make the most of each day."
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QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute is currently recruiting participants for a study into nurse counsellors. Participants must be the primary carer of a person diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the last three months. People can register their interest in the study and find out more information by visiting www.pankind.org.au
