THANK YOU-GRACIAS

In closing of my blog for the semester I want to thank my Professor (Scauzillo) for opening my eyes to a new world of writing.

He instilled in me a new sense of understanding others through writing. And learning a lot about my environment, which I never realized how important that was before.

Most importantly, I want to thank and honor my few friends I was able to feature on this blog.

This semester has been very busy and I wish I could have gotten many more people to share their story..but this is where I emphasize my readers to check out all the foundations I have talked about...they mean alot to me and have helped me get back on my feet.

I want to especially honor my Mother, whom I wish I could hug but I know she is here with me.

I want to remind my readers to always look on the bright side of things, dont let anyone get you down, and most importantly to remember that LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL!

Through the very very tough times know that God is with you and life will go on...we must move on from past events and look forward to fresh futures.

May all of you be blessed with perfect health and happiness...I wish the best for all my readers and Professor Scauzillo.

Thank you for reading all I had to say,

Viva la vida, God bless, Life IS BEAUTIFUL

Roma Villavicencio <3 <3 <3

Relay for life- Anaheim Hills

If you are in the Yorba Linda/Anaheim/ or Placentia area you may consider joining my community of Anaheim Hills for their annual Relay for Life walk.


It will be taking place on Saturday May 19th beginning at 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 a.m the following day.


The goal for the 24-hour day is to have someone walking around the track (which is held at my very own Highschool) all day long.  Someone must be walking no matter what time of the day it is.


I went last year and it felt so awesome to be in an environment where survivors of all ages, shapes, and forms are honored.


It also felt great to see familiar faces of my community that I had not seen before.




Remember my friends...Life IS BEAUTIFUL! So please consider joining us on May 19th!!!!

Stupid Cancer

Stupid Cancer is another amazing foudnation!!!

When I finished my chemo treatment, I was introduced to this funny and awesome foundation.

Their moto is aimed for young adults battling cancer "Im too young for this".

When I read their moto I couldn't agree more.

With their catchy phrased shirts, and popular "flipping the bird" wrist bands, Stupid Cancer is a positive vibe inspired foundation.

They make it clear to young adults and the world that cancer can literally-screw-off!

Please check them out.

ww.stupidcancer.org

Christine Oh-My classmate, my friend, another survivor.

Here is the story of my beautiful friend Christion Oh. She and I went to Canyon Highschool together. 


My memories of her were always fun...we would always mess around in the quad when class was in session. For some reason she and I were always on a "bathroom" break ;)


When I found out she had cancer I immediately reached out to her, I wanted her to know she was not alone...Thank you Christine for sharing your story with me and every one of my readers.


You have inspired me and shown me true courage.


I am thankful to God for your life.


CHRISTINES STORY:


Started March 2010. Noticed a bump on right ankle/leg, thought it was twisted or sprained from snowboarding. Went in for a biopsy, turned out to be Osteosarcoma (bone cancer)

It was a localized high grade malignant tumor. Did 6 months of chemotherapy. Had to leave medical leave from school, couldn't drive, lost my hair, ex boyfriend Kevin cheated on me (asshole!!)

Then August 23 2010 had surgery to remove the tumor. Since the tumor was sitting on the actual bone, had to get reconstructive surgery. Lost nerves in my foot shortly after surgery which was expected by the doctor. Surgeon removed the tumor and took part of the other bone in her leg to replace bone by her ankle. Had to use a wheelchair and crutches for 3 months and attended lots of physical therapy classes. Met new boyfriend Danny (wheel chaired me for months and carried my crutches in my car) November 2010...went back for another 6 months of chemotherapy. Finished. The tumor was dead and there were no signs of cancer anywhere in my body. 

Did some physical therapy, did some traveling and starting BSN program this fall! 

Grand opening of the HAPPY PLACE!

Don't Worry be Happy opened up their store front on Sunday May 6th in  North Laguna Beach.


The foundation which helps pay the bills of cancer patients through the sale of their T-shirts hopes that the store will bring more awareness and help to the cancer warriors they aim to help.


I took a visit to the store opening and ended spending more money then expected.


But I am glad to have participated in a good cause and especially for people who I know can truly use the help.

If you feel like taking a visit to the HAPPY PLACE the address is 1042 N Coast Highway.

Make a wish...

The Make a wish foundation helps make the dreams of those cancer patients who have serious diagnosis come true.


Unfortunately but fortunately at the same time (I know oxymoron) my diagnosis was not as serious as others.


But for those who are in patient cancer warriors or have a stage four diagnosis Make a wish will do their best to accomodate a special wish that one may have.


You can find out more information on www.wish.org


I think it is a foundation that is very giving and those wish serious diagnosis truly deserve to make a wish.

Growing hair!

Now....what is the best way to grow hair fast after chemo-therapy?


Personally I resorted to wearing wigs for a while because for the stage from bald to peach fuzz on the head is really not the most exciting stage.


So wigs it was.  The only bad thing about wigs is that I felt like people were staring because they knew it was a wig or because it was crooked.


But when I had enough hair to rock the "buzzed cut" look, I started taking 5000 mg BIOTIN.  It is a pre-natal vitamin that helps women grom nails, hair, and better skin.


It helped a lot and I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to grow longer hair or is coming out of chemo-therapy treatment.


A little warning for those women who are naturally hairy (like me)...the Bitoin made all my other hair grown faster too.


So not only was I growing hair on my head faster but my eyebrows, underarms, and leg hairs were growing faster.


This is when I decided I had to stop taking Biotin.


In the end each woman is different and I have had many friends tell me it didnt make their hair in other parts of their body grow fast.


Try it out!

Food for thought...

The next time you want to stare at someone who is bald you may want to consider why. I'll never forget how it felt when I was going through chemo and I was bald. People would constantly stare and it made me feel sad at first...but when I'd catch them staring, it was like catching a kid trying to get into the cookie jar. They've been caught. But after a while I realized that I too used to do the same thing. Therefore when I caught people staring. Didn't take it to the heart. Certainly seeing a bald guy is more common the seeing a bald girl...so I often felt like I stood out. Since my journey with cancer I have learned to think before I judge upon someone's physical looks. Again...as I've mentioned before...you really don't know what anyone is gong through until you hear their story. * This is my first blogpost on an iPad!

Trycia Carlberg.

Yesterday morning I received some very devastating news.

The beautiful 36-year-old cancer warrior, Trycia Carlberg, whom I was fortunate to interview for my news package titled "Don't Worry Be Happy" passed away from breast cancer.

When I met her two months ago, she was vibrant and had the biggest and most beautiful smile on her face.  I or anybody else for that matter would not have known that she was battling cancer.

She truly knew how to carry the message behind Don't Worry be Happy.

I will forever hold our intimate stories about cancer, family, love interests, and life in my heart.

Trycia,

 Although I only met you once, you made an impact on my life.

I will always honor you and remember you.

I thank God that he brought you to my life and that you are now in peace and in heaven.

Say hello to my Mama.

R.I.P. Trycia Carlberg <3

DON'T WORRY BE HAPPY. <-- Click to view my news package and see what an angel Trycia is.