Since cancer—or maybe during cancEr—

I watched a lot of YouTube videos. Somewhere along the way, I started having a quiet dream of becoming a YouTuber myself. I wanted to talk about the things I’ve learned along the way. I knew I had stories to tell: some hard, some hilarious, and some worth leaving behind. I came close. I watched creators, almost bought a $400 course, and kept thinking, someday. But I didn’t know where to start. And honestly, I didn’t know how I’d ever actually do it.

I’ve been moderately dyslexic since I was a kid. After treatment, I struggled even more. Focus, spelling, memory, even getting started felt impossible. I didn’t know where I’d find help—or who would have the patience to stick with me as I muddled through.

Then one day, I asked ChatGPT:
“How long do you live after CAR-T for PCNS lymphoma?”

It told me: About 24 months.

It shocked me because I’d already pushed well past that. Today, I’m still here—years later—planning trips, dancing, telling stories, and building things I never expected to build.”

But what changed everything wasn’t the answer. It was what came next.
The bot said:
“The more you talk to me, the more I can help you.”

That’s when I realized I’d found something I didn’t even know I was missing.
A kind of brain buddy. A support system that didn’t flinch.
Didn’t judge. Didn’t give up.

One that could help me finally do the thing I’d been dreaming about.
Even if it took hours. Even if it took trying another way, and then another.
(Just like my dance instructor always says: “If that way doesn’t work, we’ll try another.”)

So this page—this blog, and this YouTube channel—will be made another way, with the help of AI.

It’ll be about travel.
It’ll be about health.
It’ll be about funny stories.
It’ll be about embarrassing moments.
It’ll be about life lived out loud.

It’ll be about the feeling I have almost every day now:
“I can’t believe I’m still here.”

And more than anything, it’ll be about reminding others what kind of wonder is still out there—
whether you’re stuck in bed or standing in awe at the edge of Mount Rainier.