When I was diagnosed with lung cancer in July 2023, my world turned upside down. Like anyone facing such news, I was terrified. But more than anything, I was uncertain about what the future held for me. Would I survive this? Would I be able to endure the treatments? And perhaps most importantly, how would I find the strength to continue?

What carried me through that dark time wasn’t just the medical care or support of loved ones—though those were essential. No, what truly sustained me was my faith. Faith in God, faith in His plan, and faith in my ability to persevere, even when everything seemed uncertain. That faith, coupled with the resilience I had built over years of overcoming personal struggles, became my lifeline.

The Role of Faith: Surrendering to God’s Will

Faith has always been a part of my life, but when cancer hit, my relationship with God deepened in ways I couldn’t have predicted. There’s something about confronting your own mortality that changes the way you view your existence. I found myself praying daily, not just for healing, but for strength, patience, and acceptance of whatever was to come.

I remember one specific moment during chemotherapy when I felt completely drained—physically, mentally, and emotionally. It was in that moment, when I had nothing left to give, that I truly surrendered to God’s will. I prayed, “Lord, I trust you. Whatever happens, I know you’re in control.” Letting go of the need to control the outcome was one of the most freeing experiences of my life. My fear of death transformed into a calm acceptance, knowing that God’s plan for me was already written.

Resilience Through Every Challenge

Faith was my foundation, but resilience was the muscle that kept me moving. As a cancer patient, every day is a new battle, and it takes more than hope to get through it—it takes an unwavering will to fight, even when you’re tired of fighting.

Resilience wasn’t something I had to learn for the first time after my diagnosis. I had built it throughout my life—growing up as the middle child in a Hispanic family in the Bronx, where I was always expected to be the strong one, the responsible one. Life taught me early on how to handle adversity, but this was different. I had to dig deeper, emotionally and spiritually, than I ever had before.

Cancer taught me that resilience isn’t about toughing it out alone; it’s about allowing yourself to lean on others when needed and letting God carry you through the hardest days. It’s about finding small victories in every moment, whether it’s being able to eat a meal, take a short walk, or simply get through another round of treatment.

The Gift of a New Perspective

Coming out of this journey, I have a new appreciation for life. I feel more alive now than ever before, and it’s not because the world around me has changed—it’s because I’ve changed. Food tastes better, laughter feels lighter, and every day is a gift. Cancer didn’t take anything from me; it gave me the opportunity to see how precious each moment truly is.

Post-cancer, I’ve learned that life is about so much more than the things we often worry about—jobs, success, status. What matters most is love: love for God, love for the people around me, and love for the life I’ve been given.

I now live with a deep sense of happiness and inner peace. I know I wouldn’t feel this way had it not been for the faith that held me up and the resilience that kept me going. Every day, I thank God not just for my survival, but for the transformation that has taken place within me.

A Journey of Healing and Hope

This journey has taught me that healing is about so much more than physical recovery. It’s about emotional and spiritual restoration. Cancer may have been a battle, but it was also a blessing in disguise. It reminded me of the power of faith and the strength of the human spirit.

If you’re reading this and facing your own struggles—whether it’s a health crisis, a personal setback, or anything else—know this: you are stronger than you think. And if you put your faith in God and trust in His plan, you’ll find the resilience to keep going, no matter how tough the journey gets.