Mission Viejo Parents Beat Cancer Scares, Choose Joy

Zak and Cori Salazar of Mission Viejo have learned something most of us spend our whole lives avoiding: how to let the reality of death teach them to live better.

The couple, both diagnosed with cancer in 2023, are raising three young daughters while navigating what many would call impossible circumstances. Zak battles glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer with no cure, while Cori recently fought thyroid cancer and a slow-growing pancreatic tumor that required removing her spleen and part of her pancreas.

But this isn't a story about tragedy. It's about what happened when they stopped running from their fears and started running toward their family.

"We have today," Cori said simply. That philosophy guides everything now, from bedtime stories to big decisions.

The couple doesn't hide the hard truths from their daughters. Instead, they've filled their home with children's books about grief and loss, turning scary topics into conversations their kids can understand and process.

"It really gives them the tools to move through these hard times," Cori explained. She wanted to support Zak through his terminal diagnosis, so she sought help from death doula Alua Arthur, who teaches "Going with Grace" workshops.

Arthur was struck by the Salazars' approach. "They are open and honest and thoughtful, and they are involving their children in the process," she said, adding that living like we're going to die invites us into greater presence today.

Then came a moment that made everything worthwhile. After months of fear following a suspicious spot on Zak's brain scan, the family traveled to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston for a second opinion.

Under a large oak tree, they prayed together as a family. Four-year-old Luna held her parents' hands as Zak asked for healing.

The detailed MRI brought incredible news: the spot was a false alarm. Zak could stop chemotherapy immediately.

Sunny's Take

What makes this story so powerful isn't just that Zak got good news from his doctors. It's what little Luna said later that night as she was falling asleep: "Dad, do you remember that one time we went to the park and we prayed together? That was a good day."

A four-year-old already understands what her parents are teaching her. Not that life is always fair or easy, but that the moments we share together, the love we give and receive right now, matter more than anything else.

The Salazars still face enormous challenges. Glioblastoma remains terminal, and Cori needs ongoing monitoring. But they've discovered something remarkable: when you stop trying to control an uncertain future, you can finally show up fully for the precious, ordinary moments happening right in front of you.

Their three daughters are learning to name their feelings, talk about hard things, and find joy even when scary things are happening. Those are gifts that will serve them their whole lives, no matter what comes next.