"I Will Not Die But Live"

Looking Back at the Journey

Today, in September 2026, I look back with a heart full of gratitude. I am happy, healthy and living my life with a deeper appreciation for every ordinary day. But just two years ago, in November 2024, my life suddenly took a turn I had never expected.

Until then, I was living an ordinary, blessed life—with my family, my profession, my responsibilities, my church and my faith. I had my plans for the future and, like most of us, I never imagined that a diagnosis could change everything so suddenly.

It began with a lump in my breast. What followed were medical consultations, investigations and, eventually, a diagnosis that shook me deeply. I was told that I had an aggressive form of cancer and that treatment would have to begin without delay. Suddenly, words like cancer, chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy became part of my everyday vocabulary.

I was shocked. I was disappointed. I had many questions and a great deal of apprehension about what lay ahead.

My First Chemotherapy: When Fear Took Over

The diagnosis left me devastated. For a while, it felt as though my mind had simply gone numb. I knew that I had to begin treatment, but emotionally, I was struggling to take in what was happening to me.

I also had to take a long leave from my profession. As someone carrying important responsibilities at home, this brought another layer of worry—thoughts about how things would be managed, how long I would be away from work, and what the future would look like. There were already changes and uncertainties in the family, so I quietly carried those concerns along with the fear of my illness.

And then there was chemotherapy. The more I read about the possible side effects—the nausea, weakness, hair loss, fatigue and so many other things—the more frightening it became. I began to dread what my body would have to go through. And then came the day of my first chemotherapy. I cried. I was frightened, shocked and overwhelmed. At that point, I did not know how I was going to walk through the months ahead.

But somewhere in that fear, God was already preparing me for what was to come. I did not realise it then, but this journey was going to teach me something far greater than I had ever imagined—the power of His Word.

The Word of God: My Strength

During my first chemotherapy, I was still looking at cancer, treatment and its side effects with fear. But by the time I reached my second chemotherapy, something began to change. God began to speak to me through His Word. Through sermons, pastors, worship sessions, online messages and Scripture, I started receiving words that spoke directly into my situation.

It seemed that God was speaking to me from every direction. A pastor would preach a message that addressed exactly what I was going through. I would watch an online worship session and hear words that seemed meant specifically for me. A Christian YouTuber would speak about a Scripture that answered something I had been thinking about. Someone from my church congregation would share a verse or a word of encouragement.

Again and again, the Word of God was reaching me. I began to realise: God was reminding me that He was with me.

Decreeing and Declaring

I also began to hear that prayers were being lifted for me—by my friends, family and church colleagues. Slowly, I began to realise that I was not walking through this battle alone. God was surrounding me with prayer, His people and, above all, His Word.

So I started searching the Scriptures myself. I looked for biblical passages about healing, life, faith, God's promises, His protection and His faithfulness. I marked them. I underlined them. I wrote them down. And then I began to decree and declare the Word of God over my life.

This became an important turning point in my journey. I was no longer simply reading Scripture. I was speaking it. When fear came, I answered it with God's Word. When doubt came, I answered it with God's Word. When I felt weak, I returned to God's promises. The Scriptures became my source of strength.

Trusting God With My Doctors

Alongside my faith in His Word, I made a conscious decision to place my entire medical journey in God’s hands. I prayed that He would lead me to the right doctors, the right hospital and the right people—and I truly believe He did. I never saw faith as a reason to step away from medical treatment. I followed every treatment advised, trusted my doctors and walked through each stage, knowing that God could work through the hands of those He had placed in my path.

The Speed Healing Train

That became more than a sentence—it became my declaration of faith. I chose to believe that God was taking charge of my journey. The treatment journey I had understood could take one to one-and-a-half years was completed in eight months. Eight months. Today, when I look back, I can only say: I sat in the train, and God drove it.

My Story Written in Scripture

When I look back at my journey today, I realise that my story was being written in Scripture long before I understood it.

“The cords of death entangled me… Then I called on the name of the Lord: ‘Lord, save me!’”

“In my distress I called on the Lord; he answered me.”

“You have restored me to health and let me live.”

“I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done.”

Today, I am living those words. I called. He answered. He restored. And He gave me life. When I look back now, it almost feels as though my journey was written across these Scriptures: a cry in distress, a call for help, a promise of restoration, and finally a proclamation of life.