JET wants you to Talk Back. This is one of the reader submissions that we received and opted to publish. Want to make your voice heard? Submit your commentary, TV show recap, poem, or essay HERE.  Read all the rules  so you know how it works.

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer a few years back, I reacted like most who receive a cancer diagnosis would. The first thing that came to mind was a “death sentence.” However, I found out later that it was truly “an awakening” for me, even after being diagnosed with colon cancer a few years later.

I began to question God. Why would you do this to me? But instead of bemoaning my fate, I decided to focus on the positive side of things. There had to be a reason for it all.

I also realized that I was about to face a new beginning—a new hope, and to view life with a whole new prospective on life. When I think of the “gift of life” that was given to me, I know that I will develop and gain strength from all my experiences. Even with the complications I now have to live with, I still feel truly blessed.

For a while, I wasn’t happy with the way I looked after my surgery and the pain I had to endure each day. But one day, I decided to snap out of it. I thought about the individuals that are no longer with us. I also realized that there will always be someone worse off than I am. I reminded myself that I still have my life. Who am I to complain?

I experienced something of a miracle and felt the compulsion to write it down. I turned that experience into a poem called “Peace.” Writing has become therapy for me. I took that poem, along with many others I had composed during my battle with breast cancer and placed them into book form. I was blessed enough to have that book published. I later had another inspirational children’s book published and a third on the way. I’m hoping that anyone who has the opportunity to read my poems can receive the message that I placed in all of them. I wish to make a positive impact on someone who’s ill or otherwise, and help them to develop the strength to embrace life in a whole new way.

I would have never become a writer or inspirational poems and stories if I had not gone through all that I did. I’m a true example that you can survive cancer not once, but twice, providing you catch it in time, have faith and allow that faith to direct your path. I’m not saying all will be easy, and I won’t say everyone will survive it. Cancer recently took a sibling of mine, so I know everyone will not get through it. But as you travel through such a journey, fight with all of your might and believe that no matter what, God is with you every step of the way!

I truly believe that when you survive a horrific tragedy or a horrible disease like cancer, it’s for a reason. You have a purpose, and that’s what I’m all about now, inspiration.