12 Years Beyond the Cancer Diagnosis

Today, October 24th, marks 12 years since I heard those life-changing words for the first time: "You have cancer." It was a moment that shook me to my core, a moment that set off a chain of events and emotions I could never have imagined. Three years later, I found myself facing a second diagnosis—a moment that tested every ounce of strength I had left.

But today, I’m not here to recount each challenge or each hurdle. I’m here to celebrate resilience, to honor the journey, and to stand in my truth: I had cancer, but it didn’t have me.

Finding Power Amidst the Struggle

When I was first diagnosed, I felt like my world had crumbled. Everything I thought I knew about myself—my body, my strength, my future—was suddenly uncertain. Yet, amidst the fear and doubt, I found a deep, unwavering determination to not let cancer define me.

Over the years, I’ve experienced a rollercoaster of emotions: grief, hope, frustration, joy, doubt, and strength. I had moments where I felt invincible, and others where I wondered if I could take another step. But through it all, I learned to shift my mindset. I refused to be a victim of my circumstances; instead, I became a master of my mind.

"I Choose Courage Over Comfort"

The truth is, cancer changed me. But it did not change the essence of who I am. It deepened my empathy, strengthened my resolve, and taught me that healing goes far beyond the physical. The journey wasn’t about becoming who I used to be—it was about embracing who I had the power to become.

"I am not defined by what happened to me; I am defined by how I rose from it."

Cancer made me question everything: my identity, my worth, my place in the world. But it also allowed me to find answers I never knew I needed. I discovered the power of community, the strength of vulnerability, and the importance of self-love. Most importantly, I learned that my story is not about survival—it's about thriving, about finding light in the darkest of places, and about knowing that my scars tell a story of triumph, not defeat.

Healing is a Journey, Not a Destination

My healing didn’t end when the treatments did. It’s an ongoing journey—a journey that involves forgiving my body for what it went through, reframing my perception of beauty, and embracing my worth beyond the physical. I continue to grow, to learn, and to heal in ways that go far beyond the medical.

There are days when fear still whispers in my ear, but I remind myself that I’ve come too far to let it take over. I’ve learned to embrace each step, even the difficult ones, as part of my unfolding story.

For Anyone Facing Their Own Journey

If you’re navigating a cancer diagnosis, a health struggle, or any life challenge, know this: you are not alone, and you are not defined by your circumstances. You have the power to write your own narrative, to find strength in unexpected places, and to rise each time you fall.

"Strength isn't about what you can endure; it's about how you rise after you've been knocked down."

I am living proof that the human spirit is resilient. My journey has been messy, raw, and imperfect, but it has also been beautiful, transformative, and filled with unexpected blessings.

Thank You for Being Part of My Journey

To everyone who has walked with me, supported me, and cheered me on, thank you. Your encouragement, love, and kindness have been a light in the darkest of times. I am grateful for each lesson, each challenge, and each victory—big or small.

Here’s to 12 years of resilience, growth, and healing. Here’s to a future where we continue to choose courage over comfort, self-love over doubt, and thriving over merely surviving. 

Reach out, if you need to talk. We stand together.