October always makes me pause.

It is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Yes, but for me, it is also deeply personal. This month marks 25 years since I heard the words that changed everything: “You have breast cancer.”

There is no soft way to say it because being diagnosed with breast cancer shakes you to your core. The fear, the unknown, the weight of it all. It is a moment that splits life into “before” and “after.” But here I am, 25 years later. Still standing. Still walking. Still thriving. And I give all the glory to God.

Make no mistake, this journey was not powered by my strength alone. It was God’s grace that carried me. His promises that anchored me. His faithfulness that reminded me, even in the darkest moments, that He was not done with me yet. Through every doctor’s visit, every prayer whispered through tears, and every moment of uncertainty … He was there. And He still is.

This diagnosis changed everything. It gave me clarity and courage I did not even know I had. And because of it, let me be honest: I don’t put up with foolishness anymore. Life is too precious. I call it like it is. My truth is real, and I do not waste energy on things—or people—that drain me. That may sound blunt, but when you have looked mortality in the face, you do not apologize for protecting your peace.

There is also a fierce beauty that comes with survivorship. I have been blessed to connect with so many women really sisters in this “hard sorority” that none of us ever asked to join. Women who are strong, resilient, and full of grit. Women who fight with faith and show up with grace. Women who understand that even on your weakest day, you can still choose hope.

These women inspire me. They remind me of what truly matters. And they remind me why I continue to share my story. It is not for sympathy, but to let others know they are not alone.

So today, I want to reach out.

To the woman who was just diagnosed God’s got you. I have been where you are, and I promise, you are not alone.

To the woman in treatment, keep showing up. Even when it is hard. Especially when it is hard. We are cheering you on.

To the survivor navigating life after, your story does not end at remission or a cure. You have got more life to live and more purpose to fulfill.

And to everyone supporting a loved one through this fight, your presence, your prayers, and your belief in them mean more than you know.

As I mark 25 years, I do so with a heart full of praise and gratitude. I thank God for another day, another year, another chapter. And I pray that my walk continues to be a light for someone else’s path.

Breast cancer does not define me. But it refined me. And by God’s grace, I am here and I am bold, unfiltered, and faithful.

25 years later, my reflections on my journey, the healing, the truth, and the unshakable hope that all of us carry into each new day.

With gratitude,
Sonya