Living with Cancer: A Journey of Faith and Resilience

A year and a half ago, my life changed dramatically with a stage 4 cancer diagnosis at age 40. I shared the story of my rare condition—cancer of the appendix—last February. As a wife, mother to a three-year-old, and a journalist with Fox News for 16 years, the news was hard to process. This diagnosis put me among a troubling group: young adults under 50 diagnosed with cancer.

I’ve always considered myself healthy and active, making the diagnosis a shock to my family and me. My surprise was compounded by another diagnosis two years earlier, which was also rare, happening while I was pregnant. It started in the summer of 2023 as dull abdominal pain, evolving quickly into an emotional and challenging battle against cancer.

Since receiving my diagnosis, I’ve embarked on a journey that taught me much about life, faith, and my own strength—physically and emotionally. While facing cancer, I often wonder how to endure this challenge. But then I look at my beautiful daughter, and the answer becomes clear.

It’s been a year and a half since I found out about my illness, and most days, I feel good both physically and psychologically. By October 2024, I had undergone 24 rounds of chemotherapy and pursued a second opinion on my diagnosis and treatment. I flew to Houston to consult with experts at MD Anderson Cancer Center, who offered a new plan including a crucial surgery in February. I’m still recovering, but fortunately, I have options to continue fighting the cancer.

This journey is not merely about enduring chemo every other week, but also about learning valuable life lessons. For instance, I’ve learned I can live a fulfilling life despite my condition, refusing to let it define or defeat me. Many have asked if I’m in remission. Although my case is serious, none of the initial worries—like losing hair and feeling sick constantly—came true. I feel healthy, aside from the cancer and occasional viruses from my daughter’s daycare.

Remarkably, I worried about long recovery times post-surgery, anticipating weeks away from my daughter. Yet, I returned home mere days after major abdominal surgery, thanks to my dedicated care team, healthy habits, and outdoor activities. My husband and daughter serve as guiding lights, and daily prayers give me strength.

This past year of battling cancer wasn’t solely about enduring treatments; it was also a lesson in life’s beauty. I’ve rediscovered the joy in appreciating life’s simplest pleasures, embracing each moment without delay. With my family, we’ve continued doing what we love, even more intensely aware now that life is fleeting.

As a former competitive figure skater, being on the ice remains a refuge. Though I’ve fallen hard in the past, both figuratively and literally, skating taught me resilience. You must get up and keep moving, just as life demands.

Gratitude becomes a shield against fear and negativity. I focus on daily blessings, reassured by those who’ve fought and won against cancer, amidst those still in battle or who’ve left us. I am grateful for exceptional doctors striving against appendiceal cancer, a rare illness.

Traveling to Texas with my husband means significant time apart from our daughter. Yet, whilst we miss her dearly, her grandparents care for her, she flourishes with best friends at school, and attentive teachers supporting her. This painful absence also offers my husband and me unique travel experiences and moments to reconnect as partners.

Embracing faith over fear is vital, avoiding wasted stress and anxiety about uncertain futures. I focus on today’s challenges without speculating future threats. Though this mindset requires effort, it’s crucial not to allow fear to overshadow my resilience.

Through my struggle, visitors often call me strong, but feeling vulnerable is common—sometimes moments of weakness overshadow bravery. Yet, I recognize strength surfaces under pressure, and I commit to each new day’s battle.

Fear of the future mustn’t consume me. Instead, I cherish present joys without anticipation of unwelcome changes. A heartfelt advice from my brother encapsulates this idea: handle each occurrence wisely, regardless of circumstances.

“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react.”

Finally, my strategy involves living steadfastly through my illness like a life inconvenience. I adhere to doctors’ guidance and maintain a balanced lifestyle through prayer, gratitude, and faith. I’m devoted to my family, proud of roles as sister, daughter, friend, wife, and above all, mother to my precious daughter.