In this episode of Faith Through Cancer, I’m joined by Alicia Robinson, a homeschooling mom from central Illinois who shares her remarkable story of being diagnosed with stage IV bilateral breast cancer while pregnant with her third child.

Alicia opens up about discovering lumps during pregnancy, navigating an early delivery and NICU stay, and learning to advocate for herself by seeking a second medical opinion that ultimately changed the course of her treatment. She reflects honestly on fear, motherhood, and learning to live fully in the present rather than being consumed by “what ifs.” Throughout her story, Alicia points listeners back to God’s faithfulness, the power of prayer, and the importance of speaking truth and hope over yourself, even on the hardest days.

This conversation will especially encourage anyone facing a difficult diagnosis, walking through cancer while parenting, or learning how to trust God when healing feels slow and uncertain. Alicia’s story is a beautiful reminder to look for how far God has already brought you, even when you’re still waiting for the next miracle.

• Alicia's Instagram

• Terminal Joy's Instagram

• Devotional Quilts Project HERE

In this episode, Val sits down with Lew Worthington, a retired pastor and author living with stage IV pancreatic cancer, to talk honestly about faith in the middle of uncertainty. Lew shares his journey from diagnosis to remission, the realities of fear and “scanxiety,” and how Scripture, community, caring for others, and gratitude have shaped the way he lives each day.

Rather than offering easy answers, Lew speaks candidly about suffering, hope that is deeper than optimism, and the long, quiet ways God shows up over time. This conversation is especially meaningful for anyone navigating cancer, caregiving, or the tension between trusting God and living with unanswered questions.

• Website and Book: https://lewworthington.com Unlikely Hope Available in print, Kindle, and audiobook on Amazon and Audible

• Lew's Instagram

• Terminal Joy Website: https://terminaljoy.com

• The Devotional Quilts Project:

• Terminal Joy Instagram

When Lauren was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer at just 26, her whole world shifted overnight. In this episode, she shares what it has looked like to walk through years of treatments, setbacks, unanswered questions—and the surprising ways God has met her with peace, provision, and even moments of joy.

Lauren talks honestly about those early days of fear and anger, the long stretch of failed treatments, and the miracle of finally finding a clinical trial that’s working and shrinking her tumors. She also shares the practices that have kept her grounded—lament, worship, community, and choosing gratitude even when life looks nothing like she expected.

Her story is tender, hopeful, and deeply practical for anyone facing a diagnosis, supporting a loved one, or trying to find God in the middle of something painful.

• Lauren’s Blog: Healing Hope

• Lauren's Instagram

• Book Mentioned: Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy by Mark Vroegop

• Favorite Scriptures:

  • 2 Corinthians 12:9–10 – “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

  • Isaiah 55:9 – “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways.”

  • Philippians 4:6–7 – “The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

• Favorite Worship Songs:

  • “Yet Not I but Through Christ in Me” – CityAlight

  • “More Than Able” – Elevation Worship / Maverick City

    Terminal Joy Resources

    • Terminal Joy Website

    The Devotional Quilts Project

    • Learn about the seven quilts inspired by the “7 Truths to Hold On To”

    • Nominate a woman with cancer to receive a quilt

    • Support the project or purchase raffle entries

    👉 https://www.terminaljoy.org/quilt-project