pLOG

2025-11-13

Walking with Cancer, Making Peace with Life: Kathy’s Journey of Gentle Strength

From Diagnosis and Recurrence to Reconnecting with Life

At 34, a routine health check turned Kathy’s life in a new direction — she was diagnosed with stage I breast cancer. Her once orderly life was replaced by treatment schedules; she began planning surgeries, adjusting her daily routine, and relearning how to care for her body. During that time, she believed that as long as she followed each step of treatment, she would eventually return to the life she once knew.

After completing treatment, Kathy didn’t rush to return to her previous pace of life. Instead, she made a conscious choice: to exercise regularly, adjust her diet, and focus on both her body and mind, creating a more balanced lifestyle. It wasn’t about quickly “going back to the way things were,” but about building a new life that truly cared for herself.

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Three years later, during a routine follow-up, her doctor detected abnormal cellular changes in her liver. Although she had mentally prepared herself, confirming that the cancer had recurred and metastasized still weighed heavily on her. This time, she didn’t break down dramatically; instead, she quietly processed the news and considered her next steps. When speaking with her doctor, her first question wasn’t about survival time, but: “Can I continue living my life as it is?” For her, being able to live well mattered more than anything else.

 

Exercise as a Companion, Not a Challenge: The Strength of Cycling Around the Island

Many people are impressed by Kathy’s story of cycling around the island. But for her, cycling wasn’t about pushing her limits—it was a way to accompany herself through life after treatment.

After her initial diagnosis and treatment, she started taking indoor cycling classes to improve her health, gradually transitioned to outdoor rides, and eventually joined a cancer survivor cycling team to complete a full island tour. Along the way, the wind in her face, the hum of the tires, and the support of her fellow riders became living proof that life continues to move forward.

Her second island ride took place the same year her cancer recurred. To outsiders, it seemed like a courageous challenge; to her, it was simply returning to a familiar rhythm—heading out, pedaling, and watching the scenery unfold. She said that continuing to do what she loved brought her more comfort than proving anything. In her view, as long as primary treatment is complete and health indicators are stable, fellow survivors can use exercise to support their recovery. Yet, she also reminds everyone that each body is different, and both pace and intensity should follow the guidance of doctors and one’s own physical cues—there’s no need to push beyond what feels safe.

 

A Shift in Mindset: From “Curing the Disease” to “Caring for Myself”

In the early days after her diagnosis, her focus was on “healing,” “recovering,” and “returning to her former life.” She made efforts to eat healthily, keep up with exercise, and get her body back to its strongest state.

After experiencing a recurrence, she gained a new perspective: besides diet, exercise, and sleep, her emotional well-being also needed attention. She no longer aimed to fill every day to the brim, but focused on keeping her emotions, body, and life in harmony—without forcing or pressuring herself.

 

Using Her Voice to Support Others—and Herself: The Beginning of a Radio Journey

The year her cancer recurred, Kathy began hosting the online radio show *Kathy’s Highway 11*. This decision wasn’t a sudden impulse—it came from something she had long wanted to do.

From recording the very first episodes to now entering its fifth year, she has used her voice to share her life, exercise habits, learning experiences, and personal adjustments, while also expressing gratitude toward the people and life around her.

For her, broadcasting isn’t a performance—it’s a form of companionship. During recording, she allows herself to quiet her mind and organize her thoughts, then shares that sense of calm with her listeners.

 

Survivor Communities: A Place to Speak at Every Stage

Beyond treatment and follow-up schedules, Kathy also spoke about the practical support she received. She mentioned that the PatientsForce project team was a source of reassurance throughout her treatment:

Even on typhoon days, she could receive calls from the project team right away. Each time she submitted a request, the team proactively followed up, easing her anxiety about uncertain information. After the digital platform *MedConnect* was launched, the application process became faster and more convenient. She noted that its intuitive and user-friendly interface allows patients to track progress themselves and manage requests independently when calling isn’t convenient.

“Beyond treatment, having someone take care of the process well means patients can focus their energy on their body and life.”

This is how she experiences the support from the project team.

 

Not About Returning to the Past, but Moving Toward a Life That Fits Better

Kathy doesn’t speak about her life in dramatic terms, nor does she frame herself as simply “strong.” She comes across more as a calm, focused person, moving steadily forward—paying attention to her body, emotions, family, passions, and every everyday moment worth cherishing.

She once hoped to “heal and return to the way things were.” Now, she chooses to “live well and move forward,” embracing life in her own way—grounded, steady, and clear.

Her story reminds us that every day lived alongside illness is a life fully real. Simply being able to breathe, live peacefully, and feel understood and cared for is, in itself, a form of strength.