In 2014, at the age of 36, I felt I was thriving in life.

I had a great career in teaching.

I was living on my own in an area that always had something going on.

I had great friends and family to spend time with.

I was in great shape.

Everything was going well in my life and then BAM! Outta nowhere, after a doctor’s visit and a mammogram, I get hit with the most devastating news in my life — I have stage IIB breast cancer.

The news was like a punch in the gut and I immediately thought I was going to die. Thoughts of “how can I have cancer?” and “I’m too young to have cancer” kept running through my mind.

I mean, I want to get married and have a family someday and you’re telling me I have a disease that could possibly kill me? I just knew my days were numbered.

I immediately began having tests ran and treatment started shortly after. Three months of chemo, followed by surgery and three months of radiation.

Treatment seemed like an eternity.

As I was going through treatment, I was determined to have the mindset that I am going to beat this. I knew that half my battle was having a positive attitude even on those days I felt like crap.

I drew strength from my faith in God, my family, friends, colleagues and sorority sisters. With their love and support, I was able to finish treatment and beat cancer!

Now that cancer is behind me, there are many lessons I learned as I went through this journey.

One lesson I learned was to love those that showed love and support to you. During my journey, I lost some friends and family members. Although it was a hurtful feeling, the love and support I received from others made everything ok.

Another lesson I learned is to never let your faith waiver. There were times when I felt angry with God because I had cancer. I often times felt scared and fear was trying to set in. I knew it was no one but the enemy trying to defeat me. I fought back by staying in God’s word and speaking life and healing over myself.

The most important lesson I felt I learned through this journey was to live life to the fullest. You can be healthy one day and the next you can get sick and your life changes forever.

I know tomorrow is not promised, so I make it my business to live each day like it’s my last. I try not to sweat the small stuff and not worry about things that I cannot change or have any control over.

Today, I am so blessed to reach a big milestone in this journey.

I celebrate FIVE years in remission!

Each day is treated like a gift from God because so many have succumbed to the disease. Every year that I am cancer free lifts a load off my shoulders. To reach this milestone, I felt a great sense of accomplishment.

It’s given me the confidence and strength to push forward to reach the next milestone and to continue to live life to the fullest cancer free!