When I was diagnosed with Breast cancer, I reacted like many; first thing came to mind was “a death sentence”. However, I found out later it was truly “an awakening” for me, especially when I received sad news again later down the line. I was diagnosed with “colon cancer” a few years later, yet I am still here to talk about them both, while dealing and living with complication, along with multiple other illnesses. I first began asking,  why me? What had I done so wrong in life to have this placed upon me? But suddenly, I knew that I was going to be OK.

I also realized that I was about to face a new beginning, new hope, do and see more with a whole new perspective on life. When I think of the “gift of life” that was given to me twice over, I know that I will develop and gain strength from all my experiences. I would never say having or going through cancer is a gift; surviving it, receiving a second and third chance at life, is the gift. Yet, through it all, I did not allow the disease to take away who I am, or what I stand for. Even with all the current complications I now must live with, I still feel truly Blessed. For a while, I was not happy with the way I looked after my surgery, nor the pain I must deal with daily. But one day I decided to snap out of it. I thought about the individuals, especially children who receive an overwhelming of diff treatments during such and ordeal. They are so young and have not yet lived, as well as other individuals who no longer among us. I also realize that there will always be someone worse off than I am, I’m still among the living, who am I to complain.

“This at times is a hard thing to say, but most times it’s true “this too shall pass”.”