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A Chance to Fight
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$4,768 raised of $25K
43 donations
Help Leticia pay for the treatment to fight her 4th time cancer diagnosis:
DAY TO DAY
It's amazing how life can change in a second.
When life is going well, it may have its ups and downs, but at the end of the day, things turn out ok.
But when so many loved ones have already passed on from cancer, just hearing the word shakes the ground beneath you.
Suddenly you find yourself in a whirlwind of emotions, ideas, opinions, fears, uncertainty.
You must make decisions you think are best, although you see in the faces of others that you are not doing what they would do.
That’s when you have to put your faith in God, keep your feet on the ground and carry on.
I have been diagnosed with cancer for the fourth time. The original breast cancer has metastasized, and my medical situation is increasingly difficult, but thank God I am still here, against all odds. I don't want to bore you by telling you I have had 52 chemotherapy treatments, 30 radiotherapies, several biopsies, several surgeries and many unpleasant medications.
What I want to share is what I have learned in the more than 6 years that I have lived with cancer.
My only option at the beginning was the same as it is right now: to keep going. I think that optimism, positivity and bravery run in my family. In addition to those qualities, I am personally very intense and impatient. If I know that something must be done, it has to be done. Even if it hurts, even if it’s upsetting.
I have learned that God is in control, and that you need to have a lot of faith.
I have learned that if I think of the pain I endure as somehow sparing someone else from suffering, or I offer my pain to God to help someone who needs blessing more than I do, the burden feels lighter.
I have learned that I am surrounded by people who love me and make me stronger. I have a wonderful family, including both my immediate and extended family, who have always been very close. Friends, acquaintances and even people I have never met before have helped in so many ways that have filled my heart and soul. I am surrounded by beautiful people who pray a lot for me, including people who don't even know me. That is the true power of healing.
I have learned that people who love you are there to support you, even if you see pain and sorrow on their faces because they know you are suffering. That minimizing difficulties makes them go by faster and appreciating incredible things makes them last longer.
I have learned that my children have grown through these difficulties. They have endured this with courage, and they are champions. They have their own lives to live. They are good people.
I have learned to enjoy life a lot more: nature, talks, food. Each moment is special and unique. The images remain in my mind and the details in my heart.
When a dear friend was going through a terminal illness with her little daughter, she told me she would look at others around her and feel blessed. I couldn’t understand how she could say that, when her daughter was dying. Now, several years later, I understand. There are always people less fortunate than you and there are always blessings in life to be thankful for.
I have learned that you gain nothing by giving up and being depressed. Get busy, stay active and focus on the things you are able to do. Go day by day. This is what I do, although sometimes my patience is tested.
During these years and through my many treatments I have met people I treasure. I have become more sensitive to many things and situations, more empathetic, more eager to help other people in need. Because what I have received is only love, help and moments that have touched my heart.
They always say that this is a battle. I don't see it that way. In fact, it bothers me when people say somebody “lost the battle against cancer.” I feel like it’s saying “the cancer won.”
This is a path of learning, love, pain, toughness, endurance. And what I must do right now, is to keep going. At some point I will claim victory. For now, I have this time as a gift, I have the great opportunity to continue, so every day I win.
Leticia.
It's amazing how life can change in a second.
When life is going well, it may have its ups and downs, but at the end of the day, things turn out ok.
But when so many loved ones have already passed on from cancer, just hearing the word shakes the ground beneath you.
Suddenly you find yourself in a whirlwind of emotions, ideas, opinions, fears, uncertainty.
You must make decisions you think are best, although you see in the faces of others that you are not doing what they would do.
That’s when you have to put your faith in God, keep your feet on the ground and carry on.
I have been diagnosed with cancer for the fourth time. The original breast cancer has metastasized, and my medical situation is increasingly difficult, but thank God I am still here, against all odds. I don't want to bore you by telling you I have had 52 chemotherapy treatments, 30 radiotherapies, several biopsies, several surgeries and many unpleasant medications.
What I want to share is what I have learned in the more than 6 years that I have lived with cancer.
My only option at the beginning was the same as it is right now: to keep going. I think that optimism, positivity and bravery run in my family. In addition to those qualities, I am personally very intense and impatient. If I know that something must be done, it has to be done. Even if it hurts, even if it’s upsetting.
I have learned that God is in control, and that you need to have a lot of faith.
I have learned that if I think of the pain I endure as somehow sparing someone else from suffering, or I offer my pain to God to help someone who needs blessing more than I do, the burden feels lighter.
I have learned that I am surrounded by people who love me and make me stronger. I have a wonderful family, including both my immediate and extended family, who have always been very close. Friends, acquaintances and even people I have never met before have helped in so many ways that have filled my heart and soul. I am surrounded by beautiful people who pray a lot for me, including people who don't even know me. That is the true power of healing.
I have learned that people who love you are there to support you, even if you see pain and sorrow on their faces because they know you are suffering. That minimizing difficulties makes them go by faster and appreciating incredible things makes them last longer.
I have learned that my children have grown through these difficulties. They have endured this with courage, and they are champions. They have their own lives to live. They are good people.
I have learned to enjoy life a lot more: nature, talks, food. Each moment is special and unique. The images remain in my mind and the details in my heart.
When a dear friend was going through a terminal illness with her little daughter, she told me she would look at others around her and feel blessed. I couldn’t understand how she could say that, when her daughter was dying. Now, several years later, I understand. There are always people less fortunate than you and there are always blessings in life to be thankful for.
I have learned that you gain nothing by giving up and being depressed. Get busy, stay active and focus on the things you are able to do. Go day by day. This is what I do, although sometimes my patience is tested.
During these years and through my many treatments I have met people I treasure. I have become more sensitive to many things and situations, more empathetic, more eager to help other people in need. Because what I have received is only love, help and moments that have touched my heart.
They always say that this is a battle. I don't see it that way. In fact, it bothers me when people say somebody “lost the battle against cancer.” I feel like it’s saying “the cancer won.”
This is a path of learning, love, pain, toughness, endurance. And what I must do right now, is to keep going. At some point I will claim victory. For now, I have this time as a gift, I have the great opportunity to continue, so every day I win.
Leticia.