More than a year has passed since I faced a stage 4 cancer diagnosis at the age of 40. As I shared in February, the cancer affected my appendix. I am a wife, a mother to a three-year-old daughter, and have been with Fox News as a journalist for 16 years. This diagnosis placed me among a new group of adults under 50 facing cancer.
Though I always viewed myself as healthy and active, my family’s life was turned upside down by this news. This shock came just two years after receiving another rare diagnosis during my pregnancy. What began as dull abdominal pain in the summer of 2023 quickly evolved into a significant cancer battle.
Since this diagnosis, I’ve embarked on a journey filled with lessons about life, faith, and resilience. Looking at my daughter often gives me the strength to persevere.
I completed 24 rounds of chemotherapy by October 2024 and sought a second opinion. This brought me to Houston’s MD Anderson Cancer Center, where a new treatment plan was created, including an essential surgery in February. My recovery continues, and thankfully, I still have options despite the ongoing presence of cancer.
The past year hasn’t only been about enduring challenging treatments. It has been rich with life lessons. I learned it’s possible to live fully, not allowing the disease to define me. Although advised cancer patients ask if I’m in remission, these initial worries didn’t materialize.
Fears of hair loss and prolonged sickness were unfounded. Despite ongoing challenges, including the usual daycare viruses, I feel healthy. Recent surgery in Texas allowed for a swift return home, thanks to an excellent care team and a focus on a healthy lifestyle.
My family continues to embrace life, inspired by the realization that there’s no reason to wait on our dreams. Just as in competitive figure skating, where I found peace, life continues even after setbacks.
Gratitude shields me from fear and negative thoughts. With this mindset, I focus on blessings and relationships strengthened by my diagnosis.
Though traveling to Texas means separating from my daughter, knowing she is cared for by her grandparents is reassuring. Her joy at school and their thoughtful teachers bring peace.
The time with my husband in Houston allows us to reconnect, visit favorite spots, and bring home gifts for our daughter. While the future is uncertain, I choose to live in the present.
The journey isn’t without difficulty, but I strive for faith over fear. Intrusive thoughts are common, yet each day brings a fight worth embracing. Strong words from friends uplift me, even as my reality includes tears and frustration.
Patience is tested, but advice from my brother reinforces that life is about our reactions to challenges. His wisdom guides me as I treat my diagnosis as an inconvenience, intent on leading a fulfilled life.
I commit to health, gratitude, and being present in relationships that matter. My essence remains as a wife, mother, sister, daughter, and friend.
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