Welcome to my life. My name is Carlota Egusquiza Valverde, I was born on August 26, 1987, and since the summer of 2015 I have been fighting cancer. It all started with a routine medical consultation in which I was diagnosed with an adenosarcoma of the uterus. An August 20 that would change my life forever.

I would like to tell you my story and share with you how I am living my illness. It is difficult to convey exactly what it feels like when they give you news like this, it is something you are never prepared for. It seems like they are things that happen to other people, but never to you. But, although it is hard to believe, it also brings you positive things. You learn to live differently, to enjoy every moment, to value every day. Because today you are fine and tomorrow you find yourself in a hospital bed for any complication. In my case, it's more than three years of relentless struggle, of comings and goings. One relapse after another. When you feel better, reality knocks you down to the ground. You learn to live in fear, fear of what may happen the next day; of the result of the next imaging test, of each medical consultation.

But as I always say, being afraid doesn't make you less brave. On the contrary, it makes you stronger. Life goes on, it doesn't stop, it doesn't wait for you. He has given you some cards, but he has not told you how to play them. Sometimes you have an easier game, and at other times, as in my case, the game gets complicated, but I decide how to face it.

At first, everything was simpler than it is in reality. It seemed that it had been solved with an operation and radiation therapy sessions. After 6 months off I was able to go back to work, play sports and get back to my life. But 7 months later, and with a few checkups in between in which everything seemed fine, the tumor reappeared, this time in the lung and groin. It was August 2016, and from then until now I have not stopped receiving treatment. Numerous cycles of chemotherapy, different drugs and I have even participated in two clinical trials of an American pill, being the first person to access this study. But until today, my cure has not arrived. All the treatments have failed and they have had to change it again.

Many ask me how I do to stay animated, where I find the motivation not to decline. There is no more secret than enjoying each day. Accept and continue. In my case, basketball has helped me a lot. From the first minute I decided to play again, and I did not stop until I got it. Unfortunately, in these years of illness, I was able to return on two occasions, but I never managed to support myself because immediately afterwards I suffered two relapses. Of course, both times they gave me enough strength to continue fighting and dreaming of that third round, which I am sure will soon come. There is no more secret than that, to maintain the illusion for what you really like. Dream that you can. Fight for what you want.

Today I am in full chemotherapy treatment. The lung does not give me respite, and the adenopathy of the pelvis has made me lose the strength, mobility and sensation of the left leg and foot almost entirely. But I still have the same desire as always. Trusting that day will come and the nightmare will end.

With