Sonja Gonzalez - Taking Your Breath Away
by Sonja Gonzalez
I have been a long-time advocate for cancer-related causes, and have always been a regular at fundraising events ranging from the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure to a 60-mile walk in San Francisco in which I along with a close friend raised more than $10,000 for cancer awareness.
I was initially inspired to act after a co-worker was diagnosed with esophageal cancer nearly a decade ago, I began participating in the Race for the Cure that year with a sign that said "I run for all cancers." To this date, I continue to do all that I can to fight cancer and raise funds with a passion - and compassion.
But, I am the first to admit, it wasn't until I was diagnosed with Stage III colorectal cancer in October 2008 that I truly knew what fighting cancer was all about. "I never thought it would happen to me." I had been having some symptoms which consisted of blood in my stool which I went on to ignore for months. Finally on October 13th after my family doctor insisted that I have a colonoscopy, I was told that I had Stage 3B colorectal cancer. That day has changed my life forever.
The battle was long and difficult - beyond what I could ever have imagined. But with the support of my husband Jesse, daughter Tanya, and a close network of friends, I put everything that I had into winning the battle.
It was by far my faith, the incredible support I got from family and friends, and the compassionate care from my physicians, nurses and everyone else who had a role in my treatment that got me through this. Among those assisting me on my journey was Carol Frazell, Care Coordinator at John Stoddard Cancer Center who has since retired. The role of the care coordinator is to work closely with the patient and family on the cancer journey, coordinating care, educating them on the diagnosis and course of treatment, and providing reassurance, hope and encouragement. The program is entirely funded through philanthropy and is offered at no cost to patients.
As I was recovering from surgery, I made my first contact with my Care Coordinator, Carol. I was kind of out of it when she came into my hospital room, but at that moment, I looked at her incredibly kind face and I thought she was an angel. I felt incredibly safe and through chemotherapy, radiation and all of the ups and downs of living with cancer, Carol was there every step of the way. This experience has changed my life forever and Carol Frazell and I continue to be friends. She has become like a member of our family.
I was so grateful for the support provided by Carol Frazell that I decided to do something to give back to the Stoddard Care Coordinator service. To both celebrate the end of my cancer treatments, and to give back to John Stoddard Cancer Center, my husband Jesse and I threw a party and invited all of our friends and family. We had over 300 guests attend and even some of my doctors! Our only request for each of them was to consider a donation to the Stoddard Care Coordinator Program. Both Jesse and I felt an amazing sense of pride when we were able to present Carol Frazell and her colleagues with a check for over $4,000.
I am eternally grateful to Dr. Michael Page, Dr. Robert Behrens, Dr. Amr Kamhawy and all the nurses and other doctors at John Stoddard. I personally know what a challenge it is to go through nine difficult months of intense cancer treatment and I look at the world so differently now. I also have come to realize that the journey is much lighter when you have others there to help you finish strong, and because of the generosity of our friends and family, other cancer patients going through treatment will have the support of a coordinator throughout their journey.
I am incredibly proud to be able say those amazing words….I AM A CANCER SURVIVOR! However, my promise to myself is to continue to fight so that all cancer patients can say those words with me some day!
“Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but rather by the moments that take your breath away.”
I have been a long-time advocate for cancer-related causes, and have always been a regular at fundraising events ranging from the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure to a 60-mile walk in San Francisco in which I along with a close friend raised more than $10,000 for cancer awareness.
I was initially inspired to act after a co-worker was diagnosed with esophageal cancer nearly a decade ago, I began participating in the Race for the Cure that year with a sign that said "I run for all cancers." To this date, I continue to do all that I can to fight cancer and raise funds with a passion - and compassion.
But, I am the first to admit, it wasn't until I was diagnosed with Stage III colorectal cancer in October 2008 that I truly knew what fighting cancer was all about. "I never thought it would happen to me." I had been having some symptoms which consisted of blood in my stool which I went on to ignore for months. Finally on October 13th after my family doctor insisted that I have a colonoscopy, I was told that I had Stage 3B colorectal cancer. That day has changed my life forever.
The battle was long and difficult - beyond what I could ever have imagined. But with the support of my husband Jesse, daughter Tanya, and a close network of friends, I put everything that I had into winning the battle.
It was by far my faith, the incredible support I got from family and friends, and the compassionate care from my physicians, nurses and everyone else who had a role in my treatment that got me through this. Among those assisting me on my journey was Carol Frazell, Care Coordinator at John Stoddard Cancer Center who has since retired. The role of the care coordinator is to work closely with the patient and family on the cancer journey, coordinating care, educating them on the diagnosis and course of treatment, and providing reassurance, hope and encouragement. The program is entirely funded through philanthropy and is offered at no cost to patients.
As I was recovering from surgery, I made my first contact with my Care Coordinator, Carol. I was kind of out of it when she came into my hospital room, but at that moment, I looked at her incredibly kind face and I thought she was an angel. I felt incredibly safe and through chemotherapy, radiation and all of the ups and downs of living with cancer, Carol was there every step of the way. This experience has changed my life forever and Carol Frazell and I continue to be friends. She has become like a member of our family.
I was so grateful for the support provided by Carol Frazell that I decided to do something to give back to the Stoddard Care Coordinator service. To both celebrate the end of my cancer treatments, and to give back to John Stoddard Cancer Center, my husband Jesse and I threw a party and invited all of our friends and family. We had over 300 guests attend and even some of my doctors! Our only request for each of them was to consider a donation to the Stoddard Care Coordinator Program. Both Jesse and I felt an amazing sense of pride when we were able to present Carol Frazell and her colleagues with a check for over $4,000.
I am eternally grateful to Dr. Michael Page, Dr. Robert Behrens, Dr. Amr Kamhawy and all the nurses and other doctors at John Stoddard. I personally know what a challenge it is to go through nine difficult months of intense cancer treatment and I look at the world so differently now. I also have come to realize that the journey is much lighter when you have others there to help you finish strong, and because of the generosity of our friends and family, other cancer patients going through treatment will have the support of a coordinator throughout their journey.
I am incredibly proud to be able say those amazing words….I AM A CANCER SURVIVOR! However, my promise to myself is to continue to fight so that all cancer patients can say those words with me some day!
“Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but rather by the moments that take your breath away.”
