Choosing Healing, Faith, and Family

On April 23, 2025, I heard the words no one wants to hear: you have cancer.

The man reading my scans said it quickly and matter-of-factly, and before I could even process what he said, he was gone. I was left sitting in the room, crying, with my ultrasound tech—who gently handed me a tissue and said words I will never forget: “This isn’t a death sentence.”

Those words have stayed with me.

My name is Tia. I’m a 39-year-old mother of four amazing children and the wife of the most supportive husband anyone could imagine. I love spending time with my family—we truly do everything together. I love working for an amazing company, doing puzzles, going on hikes, riding bikes, and soaking in the simple moments of life that mean everything to me. Family has always been my center, and today it is my greatest motivation.

You may notice that you won’t see photos of my children on this page. We choose to keep them off social media, and that’s something we’re very intentional about. So, for now, you’re stuck with just seeing my mug—but please know that every decision I’m making is for them and because of them.

Since my diagnosis, I have taken time to slow down, pray, learn, and truly listen. I’ve met with many doctors and practitioners—integrative oncologists, naturopaths, surgeons, radiation oncologists, and nutritionists. Through this journey, my faith in God has grown deeper than ever before. He has guided me, protected me, and given me strength I never knew I had.

I haven’t shared this journey widely because the healing path I’ve chosen may not be what everyone would choose—and I respect that every cancer journey is deeply personal. After witnessing loved ones endure incredibly difficult treatments and outcomes, I knew I wanted to prioritize quality of life, being present with my family, and following where I truly believe God is leading me.

From the beginning, I chose not to pursue chemotherapy or radiation. Instead, I committed fully to a holistic, natural approach to healing. Since April, I have drastically changed my diet, removed sugar, refined carbs, and dairy, focused on nourishing foods, exercised regularly, and lost over 75 pounds. While I wish it hadn’t taken a cancer diagnosis to make these changes, I am grateful I’m making them now.

Along this journey, my body has endured more than just cancer. I’ve dealt with severe lower back spasms, lingering pain, a tick bite, dangerously low iron levels, and repeated moments where I felt unheard or dismissed when my lab numbers told a different story than the reassurance I was given. These experiences were exhausting and humbling—but they reinforced my belief that I needed to take an active role in my healing and advocate for my body in ways I never had before.

In July, I underwent a lumpectomy for stage 2B DCIS invasive cancer and healed well. At my 90-day follow-up, doctors identified a possible recurrence in the same breast. While devastating, I knew I had to keep going.

A mastectomy was suggested. After much prayer, research, and reflection, I truly believe this is not the right step for me at this time. I continued searching for deeper healing—treating not just the cancer, but the root cause of why this happened.

Through this search, I found three respected holistic and integrative cancer treatment centers—one in Mexico, one in Arizona, and one in Tampa, Florida. Each offers whole-body healing approaches and allows my family to be with me during treatment, which means everything to me. Unfortunately, none of these programs are covered by insurance. The cost ranges from $80,000 to $200,000, depending on the location and length of care.

Between my 2025 surgery bills and ongoing natural treatments, I find myself in a position I never imagined. Asking for help is incredibly difficult for me.

I want to share this honestly and from the heart—if the full amount is not raised, I will not give up. I will continue to be prayerful, resourceful, and creative in finding ways to move forward with treatment. Every dollar raised helps open doors, expand options, and bring me closer to the care I need. I am committed to doing everything in my power to heal and to follow the path God is laying before me, no matter what.

I am not placing my life in a number—I am inviting you into my fight.

I am choosing life. I am choosing faith. I am choosing time.

I want to be here—to watch my children graduate, get married, have children of their own, and to grow old with my husband, who has not wavered for a single second through all of this.

I am deeply grateful for my family, my church family, and every person who has prayed for us, supported us, and walked alongside us these past months. I truly believe it is because of this love that I am still standing.

If you feel led to donate, no matter the amount, it would mean more than I can express. If you’re unable, your prayers and sharing this page are just as meaningful.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. I will continue to trust God, seek healing, and fight with everything I have.

With love and gratitude,

Tia