I Will Fight For You: Please Don't Leave Me

After escaping a toxic relationship and moving back to Michigan to be close to family, Iliana was simply trying to get back on her feet. As a law clerk for a circuit court judge and while studying for the bar exam, Iliana had a plan for her life. But life never seems to follow life's plans.

After nearly a year of casual dating, she met Alvaro, a man who didn't speak her language, but who was kind and respected her in ways she hadn't experienced before. But life quickly changed. Iliana failed the bar, became pregnant four months into their relationship, and held his hand as the doctor gave the devastating news that Alvaro had stage four colon cancer when she was just about eight months pregnant. Life changed rapidly.

Shortly after the cancer diagnosis, Iliana and Alvaro were engaged and married four weeks later with the intention to have the family they dreamed of for as long as possible, two weeks before the baby was born. Navigating the nightmare of chemo and radiation, while raising a baby, is devastating, but joy is found when you least expect it.