Aug 11, 2026
Alicia Rush was in crisis and had reached the point where she no longer wanted to live. She gathered her medication and headed toward the woods, but then remembered it was her son’s birthday — a moment that interrupted her plan and helped pull her back.
It was not the only time Alicia felt that level of hopelessness. After thyroid cancer left her living with a tracheostomy, she felt isolated in her trauma and unsure how she could face the rest of her life.
Alicia never imagined that cancer would take away her voice — twice. After surviving two tracheostomies, multiple surgeries, and life-threatening complications, she discovered something even more powerful than words: the strength to keep sharing her story.
Today, Alicia speaks to anyone who has felt hopeless, reminding them that even in the darkest moments, there can still be a reason to hold on.
Two trachs. Two near-deaths. And a powerful new purpose born from the pain.
What if surviving cancer wasn’t the hardest part?
At fifty, Alicia Baca Rush thought she was preparing for a new chapter in her life — but nothing could have prepared her for what came next. Diagnosed with Stage 2 thyroid cancer, Alicia faced more than surgeries and hospital rooms; she faced losing her voice, her independence, and nearly her life — twice.
In this raw, heart-wrenching, and ultimately uplifting memoir, Alicia shares her extraordinary journey through not one but two tracheotomies, life-threatening complications, and a relentless fight to reclaim her identity. She opens the door on moments few dare to speak about — the betrayal of a failing medical system, the loneliness of healing, and the emotional scars that linger long after the physical ones fade.
But this isn’t just a story of survival. It’s a story of resilience. Of finding purpose in pain, of discovering that even when your voice is reduced to a whisper, your message can roar louder than ever.
Perfect for readers navigating illness, trauma, or personal reinvention, The Good Kind of Cancer is a beacon of hope, honesty, and fierce determination. Alicia doesn’t shy away from the hard truths — including the fear, the setbacks, and the two times she nearly died — but she also shows us what’s possible when you choose to turn pain into power.
If you or someone you love has ever wondered “Why me?”, this book will remind you that even in your darkest moments, you are not alone — and that every breath you fight for has meaning.