When I was first diagnosed with cancer in early 2014, I was at a loss about what to do next. Like many people facing a life-changing diagnosis, I wanted answers, direction, and confidence that I was making the best decision for my care.

At the time, I saw an advertisement on television for Cancer Treatment Centers of America, which is now part of City of Hope. Because I wanted a second opinion, I decided to make an appointment and travel to Chicago in June 2014 for evaluation.

During that visit, one of the doctors — specifically the radiation oncologist — recommended that I look into The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. That recommendation became an important turning point in my cancer journey and helped direct me toward the next phase of treatment.

Looking back, that season of life was filled with uncertainty, fear, and difficult decisions. But it was also a time when second opinions, expert guidance, and the willingness to keep searching for answers made all the difference.

This page is part of sharing that journey openly, because I know how overwhelming those first steps can feel when you are facing a serious diagnosis.