For nearly five years, indigestion had become a routine part of my daily existence. As time went on, it worsened to the point where I would wake up in the middle of the night suffering from severe indigestion that triggered vomiting. Whenever I consumed specific foods, it would make me feel extremely ill almost immediately.
During a medical test in 2018, I was informed that I had cellulitis. In follow-up appointments, my doctors suggested it might be gastroesophageal reflux disease, and I never imagined it could be something far more serious lurking beneath the surface.
That all changed in the early months of 2023 when the abdominal and back pain became utterly unbearable, forcing me to rush to the emergency room. The pain had persisted for over a month, rendering me incapable of even getting my daughter ready for school. It was right there in the emergency department that a physician ordered a CT scan and delivered the shocking news: I had a tumor in my pancreas as large as a watermelon. Just two weeks later, I underwent surgery to address it.
Medical professionals later revealed that this tumor had been present since 2018 and was malignant. Despite its visibility on the imaging scans from that time, my doctors in 2018 had not mentioned it at all, prompting me to file a malpractice lawsuit against them afterward.
Fortunately, the cancer was caught at stage 1, with no spread beyond the tumor itself. My surgeon likened it to a lollipop with gum inside—the tumor formed the outer shell, while my pancreas was the gum at the core. To remove the tumor completely, the surgical team had to excise 90% of my pancreas, my spleen, and 29 lymph nodes. Those lymph nodes were carefully examined to check for cancer cells, but thankfully, none were found to have spread there. To ensure total eradication, a course of chemotherapy sessions was scheduled.
The moment I heard the word “cancer,” a whirlwind of terrifying thoughts flooded my mind. At just 34 years old, I couldn’t help but think, this is the end of my life. These are my final moments with my children. I felt utterly devastated for a long time, but I am deeply grateful for my brother, who lives about four hours away from me. One day, he called, and we talked for two full hours.
“Focus on the present, not the uncertainties of the future,” he advised. “Don’t stress about losing your hair down the line. You have it now, so stand in front of the mirror and experiment with every hairstyle you can imagine. Get yourself a journal. Stick Post-it notes somewhere that reminds you of your true self. You are strong. You will beat this.”
Right after hanging up the phone, my husband came home, and we headed out to buy some Post-it notes. I began writing uplifting messages on them and placed them all over my bathroom mirror. Whenever I felt like giving up or needed a boost of motivation, I would head to the bathroom and read those notes. Friends and family who visited would add their own notes too. Each time I looked, there were more, turning it into my personal motivational mirror.
Before long, I started affirming to myself, “I am going to fight this.” “I will overcome it.” “I will be here for my children.” “I am going to make the most of this experience.” I approached my chemotherapy sessions with the same enthusiasm as heading to a breakfast buffet with friends, determined never to let anyone see how much I was struggling internally.
I completed my treatment on November 29, 2023, and have been cancer-free ever since. That said, in the aftermath of chemotherapy, I felt profoundly fatigued both physically and mentally. Establishing a new sense of normalcy proved challenging. It took another full year before I truly began prioritizing my mental and physical well-being.
When you’re in the thick of such a battle, it’s nearly impossible to fully process what’s happening to you. I also noticed how deeply affected I was by news of others passing from pancreatic cancer. The recent death of singer D’Angelo hit me especially hard, particularly since it was due to pancreatic cancer, sending me into an emotional spiral.
October became a particularly tough month for me, as I watched widespread awareness campaigns for breast cancer dominate the spotlight, while pancreatic cancer awareness in November received minimal attention by comparison. Lately, I’ve started therapy sessions to help me process and manage my emotions tied to pancreatic cancer and everyday life.
These days, I possess a profound gratitude for my life that I never had before. I cherish the little things I once took for granted, like getting my kids ready for school in the morning—something I couldn’t manage during chemo days. Every morning after waking, I brew my coffee and gaze out the kitchen window, taking in the trees swaying in the wind, the falling leaves, and the sheer beauty of nature all around.
I’m happier now than I’ve ever been. I make intentional time for myself and my self-care routines. I spend considerable time alone, journaling about my feelings, processing my experiences, and healing from within.
The night before my chemotherapy began, I shared a video on TikTok about what I was going through. Initially, I hesitated to post it, but I wanted to spread an important message: “If something feels off, get it checked out. Go to the emergency room—don’t delay.” By the next morning, the video had garnered 137,000 views, along with thousands of comments. My inbox overflowed. Since my diagnosis, countless people from TikTok and my local community—even strangers—have reached out to offer their support.
I’ve continued posting videos since then, from my morning routines to other glimpses into my life. I didn’t want to be known solely as “the girl with cancer” on TikTok, but I am passionate about raising awareness for pancreatic cancer. If people aren’t informed about what to watch for, they might miss the signs entirely. Far too often, it’s diagnosed at advanced stages because the symptoms mimic everyday issues like low energy, gas, back pain, and abdominal discomfort that come and go.
Early detection changes everything—pancreatic cancer doesn’t have to be a death sentence. The key is to prioritize your health and not blindly accept what a healthcare provider tells you. Advocate relentlessly for yourself and your loved ones. As long as you’re still breathing, never give up.
