It all started on June 30th when I was diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic Melanoma. Five years before, I had a skin melanoma on my left heel which was removed successfully based on the doctors reports but came back this year with metastasis on my T4 left rib, my left pelvic bone, 3 pelvic lymph nodes and a nodule on my right upper lobe in my right lung.
I was born and raised in Ecuador in the city of Guayaquil. I grew up in a city where the sun is always shining and best know for its beaches only about an hour drive from it. I am the oldest of 6 kids and had the most amazing parents someone could have or could ever wish for.
My mother Alicia was the strongest of all members of the family. She was a woman with a strong character, beautiful heart and a pure soul whose only purpose in life was to make sure her kids would grow up to be good people, good citizens, good husbands or wives and most of all, good Christians and believers in the word of God. She was my inspiration of what is like to be a good person…in 2007, I lost her to Leukemia after she battled the disease for one year going through chemo, infections, pain, and suffering but never showing a sign or weakness even to her last breath. She showed me what courage is and what we should all have when dealing with hard situations and to always never give up! I love you mom and I miss you very much…
My father and mother divorced when I was three years old but he continued to be in my life the whole time and even when my mother remarried to my step father, my life continued to be as normal as any other kid with the exception that I had two dads…lucky me. Both dads, Carlos and David took great care of me and I am grateful for all the wisdom, support and love they have given me.
My brothers and sisters are amazing! I have 2 sisters Diana and Denise who are loving, caring, and supporting of our family and who have grown up to be great mothers themselves. My bothers, what can I say? I have 3 brothers ( Fernando, David and Daniel) who grew up with me at home, and two (Carlos and Andres) who grew up with my father and even though society gives the label of step brothers to 4 of them, in my heart they have always been my brothers and I see no difference between any of them. All my brothers have given me something to learn from them and I can only hope that I have taught them good things in this life.
I am a lucky human being with a great family! and I thank God everyday for giving me such amazing siblings who are there for me.
As a kid, I was involved in sports, starting with soccer in elementary school, then baseball in high school and continued to this date as a Triathlete and cyclist.
My high school years were not particularly the norm as other kids, you see I attended a military school known for its discipline and academics. I loved the years I spent there and certainly I have no regrets spending six years of mu youth doing push ups, running in the sun at all times of the day, performing military drills and participating in parades in 95 degree weather. All those experiences made me who I am today! I am a focused, strong minded, disciplined and willing to do whatever it takes to obtain a goal but of course, always with ethics and consideration for others.
I moved to the USA to continue my education and after living in LA for three years, I moved to Idaho…yes! you heard right! “Idaho”. There I attended Boise State University and lived in the city for a total of 12 years before moving to Florida in 2001.
I love living in Florida, the sun, the beach, the mix of cultures and the fact that Florida is where I met my beautiful fiance Celmar who has supported me from the beginning of my journey with cancer. Celmar is a strong, positive, and peaceful human being who can only bring me joy and tranquility, even in the hardest moments. She always looks for the good in any situation and she has taught me that in life, all problems have a solution.
My blog takes you in as much detail as I can through my experience dealing with cancer and with all the thoughts that run through my mind at any given time. I am not a professional writer and far yet a story teller but I hope that my postings could help you or anyone you know, deal with the news of being diagnosed with cancer the way I have…HEAD ON!
Thank you for visiting my page and please feel free to leave comments or send me an email with your questions or concerns.
GOD BLESS YOU! and remember…there is only one way to deal with cancer, FAITH and to look at it straight in the eye and say “I’M GOING TO BEAT YOU AND YOU WILL NOT WIN THIS FIGHT”.
