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Here it is: This has been a challenging journey with cancer, my third time facing this battle.

It began in 2017 with a routine checkup that led to a biopsy after a lump was found. The day I got the call with the news – that it was cancer – is etched in my memory. I was on my way to the hospital because my dad was being rushed there. The doctor's call, the unexpected news, and the emotional impact of it all hit me hard. Arriving at the hospital, my mom's question about what was wrong triggered a flood of tears as I shared the news. Her calm response, "It's okay, you got this," gave me strength, even though I didn't know the stage or anything at that moment.

This wasn't the first time my family had faced cancer; I was the second of my mother's children to experience it.

Between the diagnosis and my surgery on September 17th, 2017, the cancer progressed to stage 2 within two months, despite regular checkups that initially showed everything was fine. About a year and a half later, I started experiencing bladder and digestive issues but pushed through it. However, on July 5th, 2020, a few months after my father passed, I went to the hospital with a friend because I couldn't urinate properly. It was during the COVID-19 pandemic. An ultrasound in the ER revealed the cancer had returned.

I was admitted and needed a specialist for surgery, who happened to be available the same week. Before the surgery, I asked the surgeon about the worst-case scenario. He gave me a 50/50 chance: either the mass could rupture and spread, or they could remove it. We opted for the latter. The 9-hour surgery successfully removed an 8-pound mass. Afterward, the lab results confirmed it was stage 4C cancer with a small mass on my abdominal wall.

This led to six rounds of chemotherapy, which was incredibly difficult. The pain was intense, making even simple tasks like walking or using the bathroom a struggle. The mental toll of dealing with cancer combined with the physical agony of chemo was overwhelming. Losing my hair during a bath was another heartbreaking moment, shared with my sister. The support of loved ones, like my sister taking me to chemo appointments alone due to COVID-19 restrictions, was invaluable.

After chemotherapy, I was told I was cancer-free, a moment of immense relief. However, just a month shy of being two years in remission, a CT scan in May 2022 revealed another tumor in the same location. A biopsy confirmed the return of cancer for the third time. Now 41, I was facing more chemotherapy. Feeling the need for a different approach, my fiancé and I decided to move to California for a second opinion.

In September 2022, I consulted with a cancer specialist at the Rio Bravo Cancer Center, Dr. VNH-Linh B Nguyen. Another biopsy confirmed the cancer and its stage. We were devastated to learn it was stage 4, but the doctor offered a plan.

Now, in March 2025, at 43 years old, I've been on immunotherapy for two years, which is working slowly. I also have a hernia that can't be addressed due to the cancer's location. I continue with treatments every three weeks and take daily medication, which has caused side effects like thyroid issues, coughing, and headaches.

Despite this ongoing battle, I face financial challenges even with my fiancé working to support us. Immunotherapy has also caused physical limitations like calluses on my feet, making it difficult to move and shop. One of the hardest aspects of this journey is the inability to have children of my own, though adoption is something we are open to when I feel more secure in my long-term health. Cancer has taken a significant toll on my body and mental health.

For more updates on my journey and treatments, you can find me on TikTok @ChefSamKing. Thank you for any donations, support, help, and sharing my story. God bless you all.