Let’s Talk About… Faith!

What is faith to me?

Faith is my strength—it gives me the courage to face each day with this disease. When I feel weary, faith helps me keep walking. When I feel faint, it helps me run. No matter the obstacles, faith keeps the fire inside me burning. It pushes me through the next treatment, the next scan, the next procedure… the next day... to me, Faith is Living!

But what does faith mean to you?

For many, faith means believing in something greater than ourselves—a divine presence, a higher power, or a sacred truth—even when there’s no tangible proof. It’s often rooted in religion: Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, and so many other spiritual paths. At its core, faith is about trust. Trust in God, in fate, in the universe, or even in the goodness of others.

Still, faith isn’t always religious. Sometimes, faith means believing in love after heartbreak… in light after darkness… in healing after pain. It can be the quiet confidence in our ability to grow, even when life feels impossible. Faith is resilience. It’s what helps us hope, strive, and move forward—especially when logic says, “Just give up.”

So again I ask: What does faith mean to you?

For someone living with something as overwhelming as cholangiocarcinoma—a rare, aggressive cancer—faith takes on an even deeper, more personal meaning.

• A lifeline: When the future feels uncertain or painful, faith is what helps me hold on. Faith in God, in medical breakthroughs, in the love of my family—or simply in the belief that each day still matters. It’s what gives me the strength to face whatever comes next.
• A way to make peace: Faith helps me accept what I can’t control. It reminds me that the unknown isn’t meaningless. That maybe, just maybe, there’s a purpose or a plan—even if I can’t see it yet.
• A source of courage: When fear of the unknown creeps in, faith whispers, “You’re not alone.” It’s the belief that I’m not walking this road by myself—something greater is walking beside me.
• A connection to others: Faith builds community. Whether it’s in spiritual groups, cancer support groups, or just through shared hope—faith reminds me I’m not alone in this fight. That connection is powerful.
• A hope beyond this life: While I don’t consider myself religious, I am spiritual. My faith brings me comfort in the idea that there’s more than just this physical life—a continuation of the soul, something beautiful waiting beyond.

Of course, I know everyone experiences faith differently—especially during times like this. Some find their faith deepens. Others may question it, get angry, or feel abandoned. That, too, is part of being human.

But I offer this: Have faith. Know there’s a purpose beyond the pain.

None of us knows what tomorrow brings. We live each day—each hour—whether we recognize it or not. And in so many ways, we already live by faith. We set alarms with the belief we’ll wake up. We make plans for the future, trusting we’ll be there to keep them.

You see…

Faith is Living.

Until tomorrow… with Faith,

Steve

PS: Please joins us at: https://www.facebook.com/victorythrufaith and check out the new website at: www.victorythrufaith.org 

 April 5, 2025, VTF

I have been getting these pains that keep getting more intense. It feels like it could be an appendicitis. I don’t know… If it gets any worse I’ll head into a Doc-in-the-box and have it looked at.

I have felt a little sluggish today. However, I did get some things done around my apartment I’d been meaning to get to.

Looking forward to the conference next week. I have been working on something that I think will be good for Cholangiocarcinoma awareness here in Utah. I’ll hold back on the details until I get a little further along with the project.

Not much more going here in Salt Lake with me, so I think I’ll sign out for now!

Until Tomorrow,

Steve

Still Goin!

Still Going!

Hey friends,

I was feeling a little wiped out yesterday, so I didn’t get around to posting anything.

Today, I got to spend some time with my sister Missy. We went downtown to the Salt Palace, and I recorded a short video using my Meta Glasses. I’m planning to share it tomorrow on the Victory Thru Faith Facebook page for those of you coming to Utah for the Cholangiocarcinoma Conference next week. I wish I could’ve captured more footage, but I started feeling a bit fatigued.

Overall, it’s been a pretty decent week. Aside from the occasional fatigue, I’ve been feeling alright.

For those attending the conference, I was really hoping to make it to the Welcome Dinner. However, I’ve got treatment scheduled at Huntsman on the 8th—chemo/immunotherapy—which starts at 12:30 p.m. and usually runs about five and a half hours. That means I’ll likely get to the conference around 6:30 or 7:00 p.m. I’m going to reach out to Lisa Craine and ask her to save a couple of seats for Missy and me so we can join you and say hello.

Not sure if I mentioned this already (a little memory lapse may be setting in!), but I had a PET scan on March 25th. It showed some activity on the left thyroid, a large active mass in the upper left lung with a necrotic center, and active lymph nodes near my main airway and near the diaphragm—both suggesting cancer. The original liver tumor has grown from 3.2 cm to just under 4 cm, and there’s a new suspicious spot near the gallbladder, possibly a new tumor. The lymph nodes near the liver also showed cancer activity.

I’ve got a lung biopsy scheduled for April 16th to determine whether the lung mass is related to the cholangiocarcinoma or if it's something separate. The upside is that, according to my oncologist, the current treatment plan is pretty much the same for both possibilities.

It’s now 6:40 p.m., and I’ve got a few things to wrap up before heading off to dreamland.

Look out for the video tomorrow at: www.victorythrufaith.org

Until tomorrow,
Steve

If You Build It, They Will Come

Remember that iconic line from the Field of Dreams—"If you build it, they will come"? That’s the heartbeat of Victory Thru Faith. This mission isn’t about me. It’s not even just about cancer. It’s about creating something bigger: awareness. Awareness of cholangiocarcinoma, yes—but even more, awareness that faith is still alive. Faith is powerful. And when it’s woven together—like that three-strand cord—it holds strong. Unbreakable. Unshakable. That’s what we’re building here.

When I started Victory Thru Faith, I had no blueprint—just a calling. A sense that God was nudging me to speak up, to stand in the gap, and to share both the pain and the promise of this journey. I’ve faced a diagnosis that can shake even the strongest foundation, but I’ve found strength not in statistics, but in scripture. Every post, every prayer, every conversation is a brick in something greater—a place where hope lives and faith leads.

But this isn’t a one-man mission. Victory Thru Faith is something we’re building together. Whether you're a patient, a caregiver, a believer, or just someone searching for hope—you belong here. Your story matters. Your presence adds strength to this foundation. Together, we can be that unbreakable cord: supporting each other, lifting each other, and shining light into the dark corners of diagnosis, doubt, and discouragement. If you’re reading this, you’re already part of it.

"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. The cord of three strands is not quickly broken." Ecclesiastes 4:12

This verse has anchored me more times than I can count. It reminds me that we were never meant to face life—or illness—alone. God designed us for connection. And when faith is woven together with love and community, it becomes something enduring. Something unbreakable. That’s what Victory Thru Faith represents to me: not just surviving but standing strong in the storm—together.

The vision for the Victory Thru Faith Foundation is simple but bold: to be a beacon of hope for those walking through the valley. We’re here to raise awareness for cholangiocarcinoma, yes—but more than that, we’re here to shine a light on the power of faith in the fight. We want to build a community rooted in encouragement, prayer, and practical support. Through blog posts, outreach, events, and partnerships, our goal is to remind people that they’re not alone—and that victory isn’t found in perfect outcomes, but in persevering with purpose and faith.

There will be ups and downs along this journey—but we don’t have to walk alone. Personally, I’m working through some deep struggles, including healing from past mistakes and trying to rebuild a relationship with my children. In those moments, I lean on my faith and on communities like this one. There’s real strength in being part of a group where we can share openly, knowing someone is listening—and that heart-to-heart connection can make all the difference.

If any of this speaks to your heart, I invite you to join the Victory Thru Faith Facebook Community. It’s a space where we build hope together—one story, one prayer, one day at a time. There, we share openly: our victories, our setbacks, our quiet struggles, and the faith that carries us through. Whether you're in the middle of the fight or walking alongside someone who is, your voice matters. Come be part of something bigger than any one of us—because when we build it together, hope shows up, and healing begins.

Until Tomorrow...

Steve

 April Fools...

Today I find myself thinking back to February 11th, 2025, the day I was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma. And with-it being April 1st, part of me wishes someone had popped out and said, “April Fools!”

But then I remind myself: this is the path placed in front of me. And while it's been full of pain and suffering—something I’ve known in different forms for much of my life—this journey is real, and its mine.

People often say that going through tough times builds character. Let me just say, believe it. It’s not just a saying… its truth forged in the fire.

They say, “The truth will set you free.” That’s not just a quote—it’s a truth forged in the fire of experience. And it’s something we should all be seeking daily.

Truth is one of God’s design laws. When we earnestly pursue it, we rise above the noise of the world and the confusion that Carl Jung once called the Collective Shadow. In truth, there is freedom. In truth, there is healing.

I’m creating a Facebook group for those of us walking the path of cholangiocarcinoma—patients and caregivers alike—who choose to lean on faith as a source of strength, guidance, and purpose. This will be a space where we can support each other through testimony, encouragement, and community.

The group is built around a promise found in Isaiah 40:31:
"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles..."

Victory Thru Faith is more than a name—it’s a mission.
We are here to rise above life’s challenges with renewed strength, hope, and faith in God. And through that strength, we lift each other up, using our experiences to help others navigate this journey.

You’re not alone.
Together, we’ll fight—with truth, with faith, and with each other.

Until Tomorrow,

Steve