Hi there!
I was twenty-three years old when I was diagnosed with a rare and incurable cancer. I was too young to face such horrible fact that I am a walking time bomb… that I am facing my death sentence too soon. But I was wrong. I changed my perspective in life in order for me to live my life to the fullest. From death sentence to life sentence mindset.
Cancer is not a death sentence, but rather a life sentence; it pushes one to live.
Since then, I celebrated my birthday with a memorable one. Last twenty-eight of January, I turned twenty-seven. I celebrated twice with my immediate family and in Baguio City with my husband and daughter. It became a tradition in our family that we celebrate our birthdays twice, the one with immediate family and the other one is to travel with the family to create special memories in our special days.
One of the things that I learned since I was diagnosed with cancer is to spend more time with our loved ones. Make time to create special memories with them. Before I was diagnosed with cancer, we used to save our money in stock, gadgets, car and other material things, but we never save money to travel. But then, after the diagnosis and recovered from all the treatments, traveling is one of the things I always look forward to. Spending special moments with loved ones to create wonderful memories in a special place is really priceless and worth to treasure.
I am grateful that God has given me life and a chance to live with purpose.
What’s your birthday celebration likes?
More birthdays to come,
Jess
We all die. The goal isn’t to live forever, the goal is to create something that will.
Forget the drama! 
I normally have a simple celebration for my birthday each year with the family
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Happy, happy birthday!
God truly is amazing. It’s great to read that you celebrate despite going through all of this.
But our God is bigger than anything that we can imagine!
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.” -Psalm 28:7
may God always bless you!
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Happy birthday!
It’s inspiring to read such simple yet important message – celebrating the blessing of life each day. I’m guilty of moaning and groaning about the small stuff that doesn’t go my way but, when you think about it, life itself is a blessing I should rejoice about.
God bless you, sis!
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Usually, I just have lunch or dinner out with family and extended family. There should always be a birthday cake with candles to blow. I also would like to go on short trips with my family because making memories in different places is very special.
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Wow I love the way you look at life Jess. My grandmother also has cancer and has been luckily beaten it after 2 years of treatment. Super belated happy birthday and continue to live life to the fullest! 🙂
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Continue to live the way you want it, always pray for guidance and strength.
More power and Belated Happy Birthday! God Bless you always.
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Belated happy birthday, Jess. It’s inspiring how you conquered your circumstances. I pray that God bless you with more years together with your family.
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Back when we were kids, we really don’t celebrate our birthdays na may handa. My mother would just tell us to go to the room and pray to thank God. Hanggang ngayon, nadala ko sya, I’m thankful that we were raised that way, although nakakalungkot kasi naiinggit ka sa iba pag baby ka pa but when I grew older, I realized it’s not just about mga handa. Belated happy birthday! 😀 God bless you always!
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Your perspective/outlook in life is inspiring.
I wish you good health and happiness. Thanks for reminding us to always be positive.
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I love the way you look into your situation right now in a posive way. hope all cancer patients has the same perspective in life as you have right now. Hope God heals you faster so that you have more time to spread that good vibes to others
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Firstly, I’d like to greet you, happy birthday! You are such an inspiring person, that despite and in spite of, you still encourage positivity. Anyhow, we just celebrate it as a normal day, as I know, we must treat our days like it’s our birthday! Life is too short to be taken seriously, and,so we just live life to the fullest! Carpe Diem, my mantra. 🙂
I wish you all the best,
Millie!
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Our usual birthday celebration is at home. I am happy you never give up on life. May the desire of your be granted. God bless sis.
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Happy birthday, Jess! Your positive attitude is inspirational. as for me, I usually celebrate my birthday at home with a simple lunch or dinner with family but I plan ahead for my vacations for the year.
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Belated happy birthday. You are such an inspiration. And about the birthdays, we usually do have family gatherings. We haven’t tried celebrating with just me, the wife and the kids. Soon, hopefully, we can.
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Belated Happy Birthday Ms. Jess. It really is nice to travel with your loved ones especially on your birthday. Stay happy and take care! ^^
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We have the same birth month sis! Mine was celebrated with family and friends. I wish I can spend my birthday with my big brothers back home. Maybe soon.. Happy Birthday Sis!
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Happy Birthday Jess! I celebrate mine too 7 days before you birthday and it always fun to celebrate with your love ones. Hope you had a blast.
http://www.sweetcuisinera.com
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Happy birthday, Jess! Every year is reason enough to celebrate your special day. Wishing you good health and a long life!
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Happy Birthday and more to come!
We used to celebrate ours at home.
You are truly an inspiration to us.
(www.chemistdad.com)
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Such a strong person. I’m glad that instead of being sad, you pushed to live a better life.
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Belated Happy Birthday Jess. I am very happy that you were able to manage all the trials and challenges in life. More birthdays to come ❤
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Belated Happy Birthday, Jess- I hope you had so much on your birthday with your family and friends. More birthdays to come and blessings!
http://www.wish4less.com
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Happy happy Birthday to you. This is a very inspiring post.
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My birthday entails giving thanks and traveling. More birthdays to come.
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Happy Birthday!!! Like you, I love celebrating my birthday… several celebrations really. Family, extended family, cousins, friends, friends.. classmates, etc.. its really a month-long feast but I don’t mind since I get to spend it with the people I love. My mother had cancer too.. she was able to beat it until she passed away due to old age. I believe that having a peaceful heart and being surrounded by love ones beats any illness. Aja! -edel
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