February eight!


There are lots of wonderful people without whom my recovery would have not been successful. I have many reasons for telling my story… I remember once I wasn't going to get my chemotherapy because I couldn't get the money out of my country to pay for it… My doctor said: “You can’t stop this treatment, this is the only chance you have to live”… This morning it was a mother who has lost her son in that battle, and she decided to pay for my treatment. I live with this reality… Without that mother, my story would be quite different. As I experienced this beauty, I was always cognizant of the fact that I am extremely fortunate. To see this incredible act of kindness is not a blessing I take for granted, she gave me a different, much better life, filled with new appreciations and priorities and daily opportunities. I wish I were eloquent enough to express the gratitude, I still wouldn’t know what words to use to describe the awe, respect, and appreciation for the decision she made, a decision that was courageous and selfless and made at an incredibly difficult time. I think it was then that I realized that things happen for a reason, I was, once again, “saved” and pushed to move forward…


I feel a responsibility to honor this mom… I say thank you and I try to use this phenomenal gift to its fullest; to use it not only to benefit my own life, but the lives of others. Underneath our different accents, habits, foods, religions, ways of thinking there are so much kind acts and compassionate people… Humanity is truly a blessing.


The best is yet to come… and I can’t wait!!

Sheyene Gerardi