Veronica Cappalonga
As an individual who has a life threatening disease, I rely on many different forms of support to help me cope. I am blessed to have loving family and friends who lift my moral up through fun, laughter, support, and prayers. Without the love of my family and friends my journey through life would be much different and harder to say the least and I feel I would not be here today. Another thing that makes me who I am is my strong belief in community service and helping others. I pride myself on helping others and going into my community and giving back and getting to know people and about their lives. There is one specific thing that I draw on for my livelihood and that is my huge commitment to my own life. In 3rd grade I was asked by one of my classmates, if I was going to die. My reply was simple and shows my commitment to myself and others. My reply was “I don’t know, but I promise you that I will be back to school.” I love my life and I am grateful I have a life to live everyday.Veronica's Story Feeds
Looking At What Is Possible
I started to look at my accomplishments and I saw everything I have done. I now get that, yes, my life is inspiring but I too have bumps in the road “disabilities”!
I realized that there is no such thing as a “disabled person” WE ALL have some ...<< MORE >>
Getting Difficult
the computer a few minutes at a time. Then take a break and come back
to it. ...<< MORE >>
Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving
Sharing thanks with
Family & friends
Angelic faces
Smiles in lines
Joy, prayers and gratefulness
All Creates
A Happy Thanksgiving
Good Times! A trip to Hawaii
I know I have not written a bog in a while and I am sorry, but thank you for giving me my space.
I went to Hawaii!! It was all made possible by my loving family Nando, Christy, Diego, Suzi, Bob, and Aunt Tina.
Hawaii was the best experience and I had the best time. I went parasailing! It was the most freeing experience I have ever had! I am grateful. Parasailing is one of the things I have always wanted to do. My mother and I did something special everyday ...<< MORE >>
Tough Times
The insurance was the most annoying. My mom is the bomb, she was on the phone fighting with the insurance for two whole weeks, she even was on two phones literally 24 hours a day.
I was at the doctors every single day. I was getting tired of it all.
By the time I was scheduled for the MRI I was really tired. I was so out of it I could not even hear my results. I kept thinking… just putone foot in front of ...<< MORE >>
Veronica's Fund Raising Event
The Art of the Brain was a terrific event. Dr. Cloughsey and his team are an amazing example of the difference doctors can make today. Brain cancer has taken strides, but it is still a big struggle to treat this disease, and still… we will never give up.
I was proud to be part of the event; I had my life story painted by an amazing artist, she painted my friend Katie and I when we were younger it is set on the beach with the two of us laying together with ...<< MORE >>
Words Cannot Express...
I was truly touched and it was a wonderful feeling. I am thankful to have so many family and friends to pray and think about me. Thank you for the strength that you sent to me.
Veronica
...<< MORE >>
Steriods
didn’t know what was going on with me. I
would cry out of nowhere, I would scream even if the slightest thing annoyed
me, and if someone touched me it made my skin crawl. Oh my goodness, it was strong.
The
new chemo takes 5 to 6 weeks to take affect.
Therefore, the doctors put me on steroids to help the swelling in my
head go down. My doctors are starting
to wean me off the steroids. Thank God!
...<< MORE >>
A Meeting With Artist
There is Gala Event
at UCLA and my doctor nominated me to be part of this event. I am honored and thankful for this opportunity.
I got matched up with an artist who is going to
paint my life story. She is
amazing. Not just the way she paints,
it’s her energy that radiates from her heart.
We connected on a strong level.
Her art show was
in
Before the Tumors
I used to go
swimming a lot. It was freeing. The pool
is a place where I can clear my mind. I
was afraid I wasn’t going be in the pool again because of the brain tumors’ affect
on my body.
I declared I would
get in the pool again. So, this semester
I enrolled in Swimming Class. I didn’t
think it will be the same thing but I fell in love all over again. It’s a little bit different but it’s everything
I hoped for. I am ...
MRI - Another Change
That wait for the doctor… goes on forever … goes on … like the energizer bunny, accept there is no energy and it’s just still. That is how I know something is going on, and I know it’s not good.
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Send me positive thoughts
My MRI was today and the tumor has grown. Time for a new plan.
Losing My Speech
It was in between surgery and rehabilitation and I do remember when reality hit me in the face. I had an elaborate schedule for rehab: physical ...<< MORE >>
MRI Not As Promising
Last Thursday, I had my MRI done and it wasn’t as promising as I thought. I feel good. I have been speaking well (more than ever). I have been walking better and the motion that is in hand is improving.
It does not make any sense. Get with it, brain!! I feel this is not fare. More so, I am afraid.
<< MORE >>
Swimming and Dancing
I started the summer with salsa dancing, swimming, and walking with stairs. Salsa is difficult because I just can’t move like I used to do: the turns, my leg, and my right arm. I can’t stop because I enjoy it so much.
Swimming was my saving grace. It gives me chance to clear my head. The problem was that I had not gotten into water for a really long time. I ...<< MORE >>
Graduation from Santa Monica College
I GRADUTED yesterday!!!!
At first, it was a hard day for me. Even though, I knew had accomplished a lot, there was doubt in back in mind. 2007 was supposed to be year the graduated from the university. I was crying all morning.
My sister said, “Look at what you’ve accomplished, no one as much tenacity you do.”(I love my sister). ...<< MORE >>
Chemo and New Friend
I had chemo, last Thursday and sat next an older man. The man worked at UCLA. We got into a conversation about what people say when they see you.
He said, “I dislike it when people say, well, you look good.” I very quickly agreed because I may look good but I don’t feel good. I said, “I dislike it when people say are you hanging in there?” My answer would ...<< MORE >>