My name is Sik Mun, and this is my story.

It begins with a strange fatigue, the kind where climbing stairs felt impossible.

That led to a diagnosis of Stage 4 lung cancer.

My world changed, and I had to change with it — from how I ate to how I saw the future.

The path leading to the diagnosis began with a simple, troubling realization: climbing stairs had become a breathless struggle. The fatigue was crushing, unusual... Something was wrong. Seeking answers from a doctor was no longer optional. After rounds of testing, the doctors diagnosed me with stage 4 lung cancer.

Before starting treatment, I decided to have a better diet. I ate healthier 3 to 5 days a week. It was not easy but it was a proactive step.

I had mixed feelings of fear and hope. I had completed my treatment, now in remission but still on medication. The path wasn't easy, but it was pretty direct. My treatment was a combination of chemotherapy and targeted therapy, as recommended by my doctors. I was frightened throughout the process but trusted my doctors without seeking a second opinion or considering any alternative treatments.

The side effects, as expected, were a challenge. Fatigue, hair loss, and loss of appetite occurred frequently.

Since starting my treatment, I've made a conscious effort to incorporate healthier meals into my diet. There have also been changes in my relationship with my family. Before I knew I had cancer, I barely reached out to my parents, but now I find myself calling and reaching out more often. My visits, though, have remained constant due to physical constraints after the treatment.

My biggest dream involves traveling the world. I want to see more of the world, even if it's not as often or as extensively as I'd like. Part of that is about experiencing new things — I really want to try more different cuisines! These dreams and aspirations definitely motivate me. Sometimes, when things feel really hard, I think about all the places I still have to see and the foods I still have to taste. It pushes me forward.

Of course, I also want to spend quality time with my loved ones. Taking more pictures together to capture the good times is really important to me. I want them to remember me smiling and happy.

Getting better is hard, but there's one thing that always scares me. I learned that a lot of people with my kind of cancer get another kind of cancer in their brain later. That number “30%” is stuck in my head. I don't like thinking about getting sicker. It makes me worry about what will happen to me. Sometimes I can't stop thinking about it.

Before, I felt scared and sad a lot. But now, I feel different. I feel strong and hopeful. I don't know exactly what will happen, but I believe good things are coming. There are still hard days, but I know I can get through them. I'm excited to see what the future holds.

Just get on with it, no point going through the “why me?” anger and denial process. It is a complete waste of time because the cancer is not going to go away. So you might as well deal with it.