At just 18 years old, I was diagnosed with stage 3 melanoma cancer. But in many ways, my cancer journey began long before that.
I was born with a congenital nevus — a large birthmark covering most of my left breast. From a young age, I knew there was a risk of cancer, but it always felt distant and abstract. My doctors monitored it regularly, and life went on as usual.
Everything changed during my first year of university. My birthmark suddenly started bleeding. When I went to see my dermatologist, he didn’t seem overly concerned — but thankfully, he decided to perform a biopsy just in case. After several weeks and additional tests, I received the news that would alter the course of my life: I had melanoma.
In an instant, I went from being a carefree university student to a cancer patient. Less than a week later, I was meeting with a surgeon to discuss my options. The plan was to remove my entire nipple and perform a lymph node biopsy from my armpit. Everything happened so fast — surgery, recovery, and then the devastating confirmation that the cancer had spread to my lymph nodes. I was officially stage 3.
The next chapter of my journey was immunotherapy — specifically, nivolumab treatments every two weeks for about a year and a half. I completed the treatment in September 2020. Over the course of this journey, I underwent eight surgeries in total. Each one tested my strength, patience, and willpower. Finally, in December 2022, after my final surgery, I was declared cancer-free.
Surviving cancer changed every part of me — my perspective, my relationships, my faith, and my appreciation for life itself. I’ve learned that healing isn’t only physical; it’s emotional, mental, and spiritual. Today, I carry forward a deep sense of gratitude and purpose.
My experience taught me the importance of hope and resilience, even in the darkest moments. My goal now is to complete my master’s in psychology and use my journey to help others find peace, purpose, and strength — no matter what battles they face.
