"Throughout my illness, I focused on my love of all things colorful, which brought me optimism and hope. Yet there was also a dark shadow up ahead: a cloud of doubt and the unknown. It happened. It was real."

YOLI DAY'S STORY

As a wife, mother, and grandmother, I was looking forward to retirement so I could be there for my husband, my kids and my grandkids. That was my greatest purpose. But about six months after retiring, I was diagnosed with stomach cancer — something I could hardly believe.

Suddenly, everything changed. Watching the grandkids after school turned into endless medical appointments. Days spent on the ranch or on the dance floor with my husband became days spent in a hospital bed. Enjoying my favorite meals became a question of what, when and how much food I could eat, and all the complications that came after.

It would have been easy to focus on the negative, but I chose to see the bright side. I began to think of my cancer journey as a valley surrounded by a beautiful field of flowers — a reminder that even in darkness, there is always light.

Because of my amazing family, I stayed hopeful. My husband has always been my rock; he never doubted that I would beat cancer. So, I never doubted it either and eventually, I did. My kids never left my side. My daughter pretty much took over all my medical management. My family and my friends stood by me, cared for me and loved me through it all.

At the beginning of my journey, my oncologist recommended that I join Debbie’s Dream Foundation to attend support groups. During one meeting, a young man who had just been diagnosed with stomach cancer was asking questions, but most of the responses focused on the challenges and worst-case scenarios. Sensing his fear, I decided to share some hope.

I told him, “Yes, this is all true, but for me, it wasn’t as bad as I expected. Don’t go into this believing that it’s something you can’t overcome.”

That moment became an epiphany — my true calling. I realized that my new purpose was to give back, to share optimism and light with others facing stomach cancer. Since then, I’ve become a mentor, an advocate, and now serve on the Board of Directors for Debbie’s Dream Foundation.

Today, I continue to focus on the light. I have more energy, greater appreciation for life, and a deep sense of fulfillment. I stay active — playing pickleball, dancing, spending time with my book club, traveling and going to the theatre with my daughter, doing all Gammie/Grandson things, and cherishing every moment with my loved ones.

Friends often ask how I manage to do so much after everything I’ve been through. The truth is simple: I am thankful to God for giving me a more fulfilling life — and for being more alive than ever!