My journey has revealed to me how strong faith, love, and gratitude can be.

My name is Rafael Alfaro, and I'm 61 years old. I live in Bonney Lake, Washington.

In 2020, my life changed in a way I never expected when I was diagnosed with Sacrum chordoma, a rare type of bone cancer. I had never heard of chordoma before, and like many people who face a serious diagnosis, I didn't know what to think or how to feel. I only knew that my life would never be quite the same again.

My journey began with confusion. For a long time, the doctors couldn't figure out exactly what was wrong because the chordoma didn't appear on X-rays. I knew something wasn't right, but without answers, all I could do was wait and pray. That period of uncertainty was one of the hardest parts - not knowing what I was facing or how serious it might be. When the diagnosis finally came, I felt fear. Learning that it was a rare cancer brought a new kind of challenge.

The next step was surgery - and it was a big one (January 2021). My operation was scheduled for 7-8 hours, but it lasted around eleven hours. It was a complex procedure that required incredible skill from the medical team, and I am deeply grateful for their dedication and care. The recovery afterward was slow and painful. Every movement, every step, was a reminder of how fragile and precious life can be. But with patience, prayer, and the support of my loved ones, I kept moving forward.

After surgery, I went through forty sessions of radiation therapy. That phase tested my endurance and faith even more. There were days when I felt exhausted, weak, and emotionally drained. Still, I tried to focus on one simple thought- that each session was one more step toward healing. My doctors were compassionate and encouraging throughout the process, always reminding me that progress takes time.

Through all of this, my wife has been my greatest blessing. Her love, patience, and strength have carried me through moments when I didn't think I could keep going. She has been by my side at every appointment, through every setback and every small victory. I can truly say that her faith and encouragement gave me the courage to keep fighting.

And above all, I thank God. Every single day I wake up is a gift from Him. There were times when I wasn't sure what the future would look like, but I always felt His presence guiding me, strengthening me, and reminding me that I was not alone. My faith became my foundation - the steady ground beneath me when everything else felt uncertain.

Living with chordoma has changed how I see the world. I no longer take the little things for granted - a good meal, time with family, a sunrise, a laugh with friends. I've learned that every day we are given is an opportunity to love, to give thanks, and to keep moving forward, no matter how hard life gets.

This journey hasn't been easy, but it has revealed to me how strong faith, love, and gratitude can be. Chordoma is part of my story, but it doesn't define who I am. I am defined by the faith that keeps me going, the love that surrounds me, and the gratitude I feel for another day of life. I don't know what the future holds, but I do know that God continues to bless me with the strength to face each day with courage and hope.