"How Can I Live Without Hope?" An Inspiring Story of Strength and Positivity

When Holly Webber, a 25-year-old from England, was diagnosed with cancer, she was a 19-year-old student at Brighton University. "I had severe stomach pains and often suffered from constipation. Everyone told me it was irritable bowel syndrome, but when the pain worsened, I remember telling my dad that 'something was wrong.' That was after a whole night of vomiting blood."

Webber went for tests at her medical center, and her family doctor referred her to a private specialist who sent her for a colonoscopy. "I'd never been to a hospital before and didn't know what to expect, but I was relieved to know that they would finally discover what was wrong with me, and prove that I'm not just complaining."

The specialist asked her to return the next day, and she spent the night before in panic but "the thought that it might be cancer never crossed my mind. He told me they found a large tumor in my intestines that developed from a 'polyp.' To ensure the tumor wouldn't become cancerous in the future, the specialist suggested removing the entire colon."

That entire week, Webber couldn't stop crying. "I started chemotherapy because the last scan showed the tumor had spread to my liver. The chemotherapy was successful, but the doctors had to remove about 70% of my liver. Three months later, the cancer returned to the remaining liver and spread to both lungs."

How Can I Live in This World Without Hope? Sometimes I Feel Like I'm on Another Planet

Doctors informed Webber she had no more than 16-20 months to live, but despite the grim prognosis, she decided to focus only on positive and uplifting thoughts, believing a miracle will happen. "To help others who might be in my situation, facing similar challenges, I decided to write a letter, hoping to make people see life in a slightly different light."

"I never had much faith before, but this disease has made me more spiritual, feeling more connected to my existence. Everything is simply more beautiful to me now, and I've learned to appreciate every minute of life. I've always loved nature and the world created for humanity, and now I feel its beauty and strength more than ever. The doctors don't give me a chance to live more than two years. I know that someday, very soon, I won't be here – but that's okay with me. I'm not afraid to die when I know people draw strength from my story."

"This disease is cruel because it limits my time in a small, unextendable vessel. Now that I understand what's happening to my body, I realize how precious life is. Recently, someone asked me how I cope with despair, and my only answer was hope. Even though I know my illness is terminal and I accept that – without waking up every morning with new hope, I wouldn't be able to get out of bed, dress, eat, or breathe."

"How can I live in this world without hope? Sometimes I feel like I'm on another planet, just looking at my situation from 'above.' People are so tense and stressed, but it's a waste of time and energy. I hope that by reading my words, even one person will stop the race of life for a moment and think: 'I'm glad it's not me, and maybe I should worry less about things that aren't important.'"