Happy Holidays To All

Dear Friends and Family,

Happy Holidays! 2008 has been a busy, stressful and wonderful year.

However, my motto is when you work hard, you play hard! So, I have also been on some pretty incredible vacations this past year. In June I was very lucky to go on vacation to Aruba with my friend Brenda. It was a trip of a life time! I went. It took awhile to get there, as we had six plane rides (roundtrip) but once we were there, we went on brilliant excursions. We went parasailing, jet skiing, cave and scuba diving.

This has been my 4^th year living in Sacramento CA… time is flying by!! It has been an astonishing few years in Sacramento. I am still working as a Residence Life Coordinator at California State University, Sacramento. Work has been a bit stressful this year because we are still short employees, which means that I have picked up the slack by running 3 buildings along with 3 staffs. Despite the long hours and busy schedule, I have a remarkable staff all of whom work very hard. This is a photo of my staff taken at a staff retreat in San Francisco in Aug of 08.

In July, I went on a pilgrimage to Kanab, Utah to visit an organization called Best Friends Animal Society. Best Friends Animal Society is working with shelters, rescue groups and members nationwide to bring about a time when there will be no more homeless pets. Best Friends operate the nation's largest sanctuary for homeless animals; providing adoption, spay/neuter, and educational programs. I highly recommend you all check out the website www.bestfriends.org.

As for my health… it can best be described as a rollercoaster. As you know, in June 07 my appendix burst. During my appendectomy, the doctors found and removed a cancerous tumor. I was diagnosed with Neuroendocrine Cancer. Since then, I have been going to the UC Davis Cancer Center for routine checkups (ie: tests, blood work, etc.) However, in

Finally in October I went sky diving! There was a group of us from Sac State that went sky diving in Lodi, CA. We had a marvelous time!! Pictures speak louder than words, so I have attached a photo!!! It was an experience of a life time. Once on the ground, I was asked if I would ever do this again --- and I would NOT! One time was enough!!!

April 08, I was feeling pain in my lower right region of my abdomen. After meeting with my oncologist

and having a plethora of tests, I was informed in August 08 that a CT image showed that there were 8+ new tumors found in the same site where my appendix once was. The tumors are located in the lymph nodes. Since then, I have been going to numerous doctors and I have had multiple tests (MRI, Octride Scan, CAT Scans, PET Scan). I visit the hospital at least 1-2 times a week. The odd thing is I feel fine! Besides the occasional pain and the overwhelming stress from time to time, I feel great! I will find out more about the details of my treatment in January 09 after another CT Scan. For more details of my medical updates, please check out my personal blog http://jso1110.blogspot.com/ I update it almost daily.

Throughout my journey, I have had many people stand by my side – family, friends and strangers that have called daily and I could not be more grateful. Despite the dreadfulness of cancer, something amazing has happened. Cancer has caused me to build stronger and closer bonds with my friends and family. I know this sounds crazy, but it’s true. I have also met pretty amazing cancer survivors who have helped me along my journey -- Kevin Sullivan, Martha Church, and Paul Molly. They are my heroes. They are not biological family, but have given me love, hope and support like they were family.

Another one of my heroes is a lady and I do not know her name. While on a Southwest flight from Sacramento to San Diego, I sat down next to an elderly couple. They cracked me up. They were reading a People magazine that they found in the front seat pocket in front of them. They were laughing at the pictures of the celebrities dressed in ridiculous outfits. I knew I sat next to the right people. We began to talk and laugh together. Once the flight began, I pulled out a book that my friend Kevin Sullivan suggested I read – “Its Not About the Bike” by Lance Armstrong (this book changed my life). The woman sitting next to me put her hand on my hand and told me that Armstrong’s book helped her through the hardest time of her life. She began to tear up. She informed me that she has breast cancer, twice – both breasts. I informed her that I too have cancer and that I was going to the UC San Diego Morris Cancer Center to get a second opinion and explained my history. We cried on the plane. The woman then took off her yellow Livestrong Bracelet and told me to wear it until my treatment was over. She said that she had worn it throughout her treatment and she survived. I was in shock. She put it on my wrist and she hoped that it would give me the same luck it gave her. We talked the entire trip. After getting our luggage, we hugged and parted ways. I don’t know her name, but I am so grateful for her conversation. I am still wearing the Livestrong bracelet today and I have enclosed a Livestrong bracelet for you to hopefully pass along the same hope and courage that she gave to me.

Looking back on this year, I have realized I have learned a lot. A good friend once gave me the following advice, advice we all should live by: “Our lives are made up of moments - that's all we get. No single moment ever comes again so we need to grab each one and live it to the fullest! Don't allow anticipation to steal the good moments away from you!” With that said, I wish you all the best in 2009. I hope all of your wishes, dreams and wildest thoughts come true.

Happy Holidays!! Thank you for being a part of my life. Live Strong,