Dedications
My son, Tom. In you, a part of me lives on. I am heartbroken that I must leave you now before you are all raised up, but I feel peace because I know your heart, and it is good. Tom, always know this: you have made me the luckiest mom in the Universe.
My husband, John, you have been my partner for ten years. You loved and supported me throughout this illness, and now we have an intimacy and love that is simply unmatched. You will allow me to rest in peace because you will raising our Tom.
My parents, Tom, Kathleen, and Linda. In his book, “The Last Lecture,” Randy Pausch writes that “I won the parent lottery.” I feel this way. You gave me the tools to turn my childhood dreams into something real. There is no greater gift.
My twin sister, Rachael, or as I like to say, my very first “womb-mate.” Rachael, isn’t it so true that you and I understand and know one another on the most special of levels? You took care of me over these years and literally saved my life on a number of occasions. You will love my son as your own son. There just aren’t words.
My mother- and father-in-law, Dorothy and John Gambaro, and my brother-in-law, Greg. I married your wonderful son and brother, and gained a new family that I could call my own. Throughout my illness, you have treated me like I was your very own daughter and sister. I appreciate this so deeply.
Rachael’s husband, Sharad, and his family, Mr. and Mrs. Santosh and Usha Jain, and Amita and Niteen. Once again, I feel like I have been adopted as one of your own. Sharad, the comfort you give me because I know that you take over the loving care of my sister.
My aunt who shares my name, and her husband, Andy. Thank you for your guardianship in so many areas, and for the support that you steadily give to me and John. At so many of my life’s transitional moments, you have been there.
My Aunt Vita and Uncle Carlos Zilveti, who have loved me and John like their own children. We always feel so cherished by you.
To all the people who will be looking out after my son as he grows up: Ms. Sam Lazear, Ms. Justine Bernard, his teachers, coaches, pastors, and his friends and their parents. For Michele Jones, who loved him like a mother during my first transplant.
My fellow cancer comrades on planetcancer.org, and Ligia Andrade, for making me feel like I wasn’t fighting this battle alone. We are all in this together.
My oncology patients and their families, including the Dains Family of Montrose, Iowa. To those patients who have gone before me and who have inspired me as I face my own uncertain future: you were brave. I can be, too.
My oncology in- and outpatient medical and nursing teams at UCSF, including Drs. Charles Linker, MD and Tom Martin, MD, and Ms. Priscilla Ireland, NP. There have been so many difficult decisions to make and so much information to process. I made it this far because of your medical competence. Also including Ms. Jayne Finch, PA-C, Drs. Bruce Miller, MD, Meredith Heller, MD, and Oliver Bacon, MD, Ms. Karen Schanche, Ms. Kimball Williams, Ms. Sam Lazear, and Mr. Ledge Hakes. It has truly taken a team effort to maintain my strength along the way.
Finally, my extended family and my friends, who have made my life immeasurably richer. A list of the names for this section would take up ten websites. I treasure each and every connection. To each, there is a story that is very special to me. Thank you for wanting to know me.
