“My life before cancer was Hallmark-level good. I was a teacher by day and a classical musician by night. I had friends, coffee dates, music gigs, sunshine. I was 29 when I was diagnosed with stage 3 triple negative breast cancer—and everything changed. After treatment, I returned to teaching and got engaged. I was finally back to my life. But then I had a seizure at school, and they found a brain tumor. After brain surgery, I returned again, only to later find tumors in my liver. That’s when I learned I had metastatic breast cancer. I didn’t even know what that meant—until I had it.”

“At some point I thought, Maybe this is just what life is now. But God began healing my heart long before my scans changed. And that kind of healing was no less important or praiseworthy.

When I was scared, God was there. Before brain surgery, I felt surrounded by warmth and sunshine. Before an infusion, my nurse unexpectedly shared her story of grief—and we cried together. It was holy ground. I’ve seen God show up financially, relationally, and emotionally in the most personal ways.

I used to think joy could only come if I was well. But now I know—God’s goodness is available to me in every single moment. That truth has changed everything.”

Psalm 139:9–10: “If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the deepest parts of the sea, even there your hand will lead me.”

James 4:7: “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”

Psalm 71:14: “But I will hope continually and will praise you more and more.”

Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” “That’s the one that got me through brain radiation with a mask clamped to my face. I just kept repeating it, over and over.”

“I journal every day. Even at the beginning of my cancer journey, I always listed things to be thankful for—like, ‘This new specialist was kind. I had lunch with my parents.’ That daily practice began to shift my heart. I started noticing God’s goodness everywhere. What started as ‘I’m thankful for my cat and hot tea’ turned into ‘I’m thankful I’m a child of God, loved no matter what.’ I also start each day grounding myself with my five senses and listing five good things. If I can, I add Scripture too. And it really changes the shape of my day.”

“If you're newly diagnosed, just know—God is in this with you. He’s in the chemo chair, in the MRI machine, in the waiting room, in your hospital bed. Wherever you are, He’s right there.

And don’t wait for things to get better before you see His goodness. It’s already here. Start listing things you’re thankful for. Train your heart to see what God is doing right now.

It’s okay to grieve what you’ve lost. I’ve lost friends. I’ve lost the life I thought I would have. But God redeemed those painful places and filled them with His presence.

You don’t need perfect prayers. You don’t need big words. Just show up. He’ll meet you right there.”