With her husband by her side, Kohl continues to fight cancer

Every time Pam Kohl goes into a doctor's visit to get an update on if her cancer has spread, her husband Tom Gongaware is always right there with her.

"Usually he's just sitting right there every time," she said. "Tom is a really great comforter and care giver."

Gongaware has been by her side throughout her battle, which is why he won the co-survivor award for supporting his wife at the Komen Race for the Cure earlier this year, but it has not been easy for him to see his wife in this state.

"Some days are tougher than others," Gongaware said. "There are certainly days where I would just as soon go hide in the corner somewhere, or maybe I do just go hide in the corner somewhere but we muddle through it."

"I think it's important for somebody to attempt to be as positive as possible," he added.

This is Kohl's second round with breast cancer. It has metastasized, and every 12 weeks she has to go through tests to see if she's stable.

"It would be harder if I wasn't here, I think," he said. "I'm not going through the treatment. I'm not getting injected with radioactive whatever that she's being injected with right now, but I'm here. I'm seeing what's happening."

As a young man, Gongaware cared for his mother who had multiple sclerosis, and he said that helped him know how to support his wife.

Something Gongaware has learned is it's important for caregivers to develop a sense of humor. He adds that patience also helps when you're in that position.

But it's difficult for him to see his self-sufficient, strong wife at times grow weak.

"That makes it a little tougher just emotionally," he said. "It doesn't really change the nature of the care so much, but it's a little tougher emotionally."

The couple has tried to make their life more than just doctor visits by sharing their love of music.

"I think we lean on each other for help," Gongaware said. "I mean, we're here for each other."

Kohl will see the doctor again for another series of scans next week, and Gongaware will be right by her side.