Four years ago I married my best friend Jesse. Life was going good for us. He was always there for me and my little grandson Tony. 4 months after we were married, my daughter was shot and died. She had a 19 month old baby Julianna, who we got custody of. Jesse is the only daddy the two of them have ever known. He was the strong one (and still is). He supported all of us, as I could no longer work. Last year Jesse started getting severe back pain. He thought it was from work, as he did construction. Then the bleeding started. He went to the hospital 11/13/12. He was diagnosed with colon/rectal cancer. He took chemo pills along with radiation for 8 weeks and had surgery on 4/11/12. The surgery was extensive, the tumor was wrapped around his tail bone and the surgeon was unable to remove all of it. He now has stage 4 colorectal and bone cancer. He had to have his rectum removed and part of his colon, leaving him with a permanent colostomy. He also had a blockage, so he has a temporary ileostomy. We almost lost Jesse after his second surgery. One Dr. suggested we put him on hospice, but me and his mom refused to do so, until we talked to his surgeon and oncologist. They told us there is hope and not to give up. Thanks to God, Lots of prayers, our family and friends, he is still here. He is fighting, and he said he will beat this. He completed his first round of chemo. When he had his last Pet Scan 3 months ago. Nothing showed up. He is gaining his strength back each day, and even helping me take care of 2 more grandchildren we recently got, they are 3 and 4. He smiles through his pain and laughs through his tears. He loves life, and is thankful for each day he is blessed with.

Signed,
Mary Perez