Two Weeks at a Time:
In Two Weeks at a Time, award-winning songwriter and keynote speaker Monty Criswell shares the powerful true story of his fight against stage III colorectal cancer—and how he beat it.
Part personal diary, part documentary, and part strategic battle plan for facing life-altering adversity, this inspiring medical memoir is a moving testament to faith, family, gratitude, and resilience.
What sets Two Weeks at a Time apart from other cancer memoirs is its rare multi-perspective storytelling. Alongside Monty, his wife DeNesha Criswell (a retired oncology cytogeneticist) and their three children—Olivia, Mitch, and Audrey—share their own voices throughout the book. Readers experience the complete journey through the raw, honest, and humor-filled eyes of the patient, the caregiver, and the loved ones fighting right beside him.
Filled with faith, music, humor, and miracles, Two Weeks at a Time offers hope to anyone navigating a serious health diagnosis or supporting a loved one through crisis.
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Two Weeks at a Time is an extraordinary and deeply moving memoir, like a rare and beautiful gift. Monty’s willingness to share the raw, real moments of his journey creates a powerful connection with every reader, while his ability to transform his most difficult experiences into a story of strength, grace, and humanity is nothing short of remarkable. This is a story that reminds us we are never alone and that even in the hardest seasons, there is purpose, love, and light. It will stay with you long after the final page and may very well change how you see your own life.
Monty Criswell is a believer. Monty Criswell is a fighter. Monty Criswell is a survivor. Never once during his battle with cancer did I hear him complain or doubt. He was always cheerful and confident about the outcome. I’ve known Monty for twenty-plus years as an incredible songwriter and friend, but now, through Two Weeks at a Time, I know him as a great man of faith and strength. Thank you, Monty, for inspiring all of us.
For many years I’ve had the privilege of knowing Monty Criswell, first as a colleague, a respected songwriter, and then quickly as one of my favorite people and best friends in the world. It was his writing, his perspective on life set to the perfect music and melody, that grabbed my attention. Monty writes what he knows as good as anyone ever has in country music. That’s where his heart is. He knows real life. He knows what reaches people. It’s a gift from God that he honors well. Monty has a way of turning a scene, a moment, a snapshot of life into a beautiful and incredible song. He’s lived a lot of life, which bares a beautiful testimony from a humble, selfless perspective. When Monty calls me with an idea for a song, I pick up the phone! If you love Monty, he’ll love you back ‘Like Jesus Does.’
Monty Criswell is tougher than he is kind—and that’s saying something. I’ve watched him win in writing rooms most songwriters only dream about being in, but none of those accomplishments compare to the fight he waged against cancer. This book isn’t just a survivor’s story, it’s a testimony. Hearing his wife and children tell their side of the journey makes it real, raw, and deeply human. Monty’s faith in Jesus isn’t just something he talks about—it’s the anchor that held him steady when everything else shook. In a world obsessed with accolades, Two Weeks at a Time reminds us what actually matters most: faith, family, friends, and the courage to keep showing up.
Monty Criswell doesn’t just tell a story; he opens a door into the lived reality of a family facing cancer together. Told through the eyes of Monty, his wife, and their children, this memoir is raw, honest, and deeply human. At times, it is difficult to read but impossible to put down. It is a guide for anyone walking a similar road and a deeply human reflection for those who have loved, lost, or stood alongside someone in the fight against cancer. Monty’s gift as a hit songwriter shines on every page, bringing beauty to even the most painful moments. Written with the same soul behind songs recorded by Scotty McCreery, George Strait, Eric Church, and Parker McCollum, to name a few, every page carries the honesty and emotional weight of a great country song. Two Weeks at a Time is one of the most meaningful books I’ve read, and it found me when I didn’t know I needed it, helping me better understand what my own family went through and reminding me that even in the hardest of seasons, we are never alone.
Monty is an absolute magnet for humanity and humility. His story of perseverance in Two Weeks at a Time is applicable in all personal and professional pursuits. What he brings to the stage is a must-have for any organization serious about building a world-class team.
Two Weeks at a Time is an honest, heartbreaking, at times funny, and ultimately triumphant story. Monty Criswell and his family give an insight into cancer from multiple perspectives in a unique, educational, entertaining, and powerful way. This is a must-read.
Heart and understanding have always been a common thread in Monty’s songs. In Two Weeks at a Time, Monty’s messages of faith overcoming fear and love being all that really matters drop you in the middle of his story and make you feel a part of his journey. I’m in constant awe of Monty’s talent, and I’m proud I get to call him my friend.
As a hit songwriter, Monty Criswell knows how to hook an audience; as a survivor, he knows how to live. A must-read for anyone in need of inspiration. This isn’t just a story about surviving cancer; it’s a story about thriving together. The unwavering support within these pages is a beacon for any family facing adversity. Two Weeks at a Time made me laugh, cry, and then laugh again because I was crying. A powerful reminder that even in life’s hard moments, the strength and love of family can carry us through.
I have known Monty Criswell as a hit songwriter, expert storyteller, and, most importantly, a true friend for more than two decades. His accomplishments are self-evident. He does what the greatest songwriters live to do . . . he tells a story in such a vivid manner that we find ourselves in the story itself. Two Weeks at a Time is as real as it gets.
I maintain that there are certain, specific, God-gifted professions that save lives. Doctors. Nurses. First responders. Teachers. And songwriters. Songwriters say profoundly what we can’t—or won’t—say ourselves. They use immense gifts to speak for us when we’re unable or unwilling. For more than thirty years, Monty Criswell has done that for millions of people, when they didn’t even know it. His pen has filled in the blanks in our souls. When Eric Church reminds us that chasing life is sweeter than chasing money in “Hell of a View,” he’s singing Monty’s words. When George Strait told us he saw God in a dandelion emerging from a sidewalk, he sang Monty’s words. And when Trace Adkins took his little girl fishin’ and reminded us that life’s small moments are invariably its greatest, he sang Monty’s words. See what I mean? Lifesaving testimony. But for all he’s done with that magic pen in the music business, it is Two Weeks at a Time that might be Monty’s most important work. This strikingly raw and detailed account from Monty and his family of facing down the devil that is colorectal cancer will undoubtedly speak for those who can’t find the words. And with that, this book will help someone who feels more alone than they’ve ever felt find some extra courage in the fight of their life.
Monty Criswell and Two Weeks at a Time . . . I’m a fan.