It has been two weeks since I began this new chapter with my cancer medication, and the journey has already been a series of peaks and valleys. I wanted to take a moment to share a deeper update on how things are going, how this treatment works, and the honest, sometimes difficult conversations I am having with myself and with God.

Many of you have asked about the specifics of my treatment. I am currently taking 200 mg of Ojjaara once a day. This is a targeted therapy known as a JAK inhibitor. Unlike traditional chemotherapy that attacks all fast-growing cells, this medication is designed to go after the specific proteins that cause abnormal blood cells to grow. Its primary goal is to help my body produce more healthy red blood cells, which is why I have been so hopeful for a shift in my stamina.

The first week was undeniably rough. Adjusting to the chemistry of a new medication took a significant toll on my body, and there were moments when the climb felt very steep. However, as I moved into the second week, I felt a surge of energy that I haven’t experienced in months. It was such a blessing to feel a spark of my old self returning.

Because I felt so much better, I perhaps got a little ahead of myself. I started pushing to do more, reaching for that sense of normalcy and productivity that I have missed. Eventually, I hit a wall. It was a firm reminder that while the medication is doing its work, I still have to do mine, which includes honoring the pace my body requires. Healing is not a race, and I am learning to listen to the stop signs my body puts up.

We are also keeping a close eye on my vitals. There is some concern about my blood pressure being impacted by the treatment, so I am monitoring those numbers daily. I will be heading back to see my oncologist in two weeks to check our progress. While there are medical hurdles to clear, I am taking it one day at a time, trusting the process and the team of doctors looking over me.

I want to be raw and honest with you all about something I have been wrestling with. I have expressed so much gratitude for the outpouring of love, prayers, and donations, and I mean every word of it. But there is another side to that feeling. Sometimes, I look at others who are fighting their own battles with cancer, people who may be facing even steeper climbs or fewer resources, and I feel a heavy sense of guilt. I find myself asking why I am receiving so much support and wondering if I am truly worthy of it.

It is a strange place to be, to feel so blessed and yet so undeserving at the same time. I have had to take this to the Lord and remind myself that grace is not something we earn or deserve. It is a gift. I am learning to silence that voice of unworthiness and instead accept your kindness as a reflection of His love. Your generosity has humbled me and eased so many of the burdens that come with this diagnosis, and I am choosing to be a grateful steward of that support rather than letting guilt steal the joy of it.

A question I have been asked frequently is how I am handling everything. Despite the internal struggles and the physical side effects, I feel strong. I feel ready to face the next step. My strength comes from a place of deep faith. I know that God has a plan for me, and that conviction provides a peace that surpasses the physical challenges of treatment. I am reminded that even when I hit a wall, He is the one who sustains me.

If you are currently going through your own valley, I hope my journey can be a source of encouragement. We all face seasons of struggle, and it is okay to be honest about the messy parts of that struggle. I am leaning into my faith and the strength I’ve been given, and I truly believe that even in the toughest weeks, there is grace to be found. Thank you for staying on this journey with me and for being the hands and feet of Jesus in my life.