My name is Brittany Anne Lopez and I was born in the year of 1990 in California, “the land of fruits and nuts.” I moved a lot in my first five years, you could say,” lived in different apartments.” Both of my parents were drug addicts. Two years later my sister was born and a year after that my other sister was born.

My siblings and I moved in with my Aunt-Vera and Uncle-Scott when I was a wee 5ling. I now live with my sisters and two male cousins. We were all home schooled our entire lives and brought up eating organic and local food and living a “green” lifestyle.

In 2002 I was diagnosed with cancer. A grade three brain tumor, (an Ependymoma.) I had many symptoms like, vomiting, headaches and balance issues. After I had surgery to get it out, I had radiation everyday. My surgery touched a lot of nerves and left a lot of side effects. When I came home the right side of my face and vocal cord were paralyzed, I also had balancing problems etc………Radiation made my right ear mostly deaf. I am GLAD to say that most of these side effects have left!

I love my life and always have; Vera and Scott have raised all of us very well. I am now, still eating organic and as “green” as I can muster! I am also a vegetarian; I have been one for about five years now. I chose this path due to my feelings for others, including animals. All this time until recently I have had no problems with cancer. I always had to have check ups and for the last few years a once a year MRI. All my life, after my surgery, I have been waiting for the days to go past, for it all to be done. No more MRI’s, no more check ups, no more cancer, nothing! I only had a few more years to go until I was “cancer free”. Guess what……..About two weeks ago when I went to St. Jude to have my yearly check up and MRI, they find a new growth. I will be having surgery on October 5th at La Bonour. They are not positive that my new growth is a tumor, but why would it not be. It is in the same spot as my old one, the center of the back of my head. It has doubled in size in a year and is a little bigger than a pea. There should be no problem since it is surrounded by air and not touching many nerves like last time. Everyone says it will all be fine, I will be fine. I am grateful, but I still have thoughts about the worst happening…..

Well, 7 months later. Having a harder time typing this, but in good-jolly spirits none the less. It is March, 9th, 2010, yes, a new year . Ya’ll are probably curious on how my surgery went. Well, not as expected, no not at all. A few days after my surgery I got “Posterior Phosa Syndrome.” I had gotten this syndrome last time, but I wasn’t supposed to this time around. I only had a 5% chance and I won the 5% golden ticket. The vivid colors caused mey double vision to worsen and my left arm and hand to loose their coordination. I spoke like a mouse and my mind was interfered with. I find myself searching for words and a taint short term memory loss. I left the hospital in a wheel chair and have been walking on my own for months now!!!

It was the same tumor and I wanted to keep it, I mean, it was mine, but I decided to let them keep it for research, to help save the lives of others. My surgeon got the whole tumor out and before my surgery I hung out with his son, who, I already knew.

I did have radiation again, just as long as last time. I was just older and everything has advanced.

I am alive and well and have improved so much in these last months! My doctors were always amazed and still are when I see them now.

My guitar really has helped me through my journey. I am teaching myself to play it. After I got home from the hospital I did have to wait for a few months just to see it again. A little while later, when my left arm was strong enough, I picked it up again with a smile. All of this has made me sad and mad and my guitar playing has not only given my left hand therapy, but helped me clear my mind when I was blue. This journey was and is extremely hard for me and looking at my guitar only fills my eyes with light, heart with love, and soul with happiness! I love, love my guitar and hope to play well someday!!! Blue Star Connection really has changed my life and I know many other warriors out there. The thought of never knowing about BSC and how it brings a smile to everyone’s heart brings me sadness. Everyone who works for BSC are heroes!!!!!!

I want to make a special thanks to Blue Star Connection; you have filled my heart with happiness and so many more people in this world. Thanks for making this happen. I would also like to make a special thanks to some extra special people who helped me personally.

First of all I want to thank you Joe, I met you at Camp-Mak-A-Dream only last year, but feel like I have known you my whole life. I love being able to connect with you by phone and Facebook. You are one of the most caring people in the world, always there for others and always wanting to help them. I am so glad I met you, you have touched my soul and I will never forget it. Thank you so much for telling me about Blue Star Connection and making my old dreams come true.

Dear Colin, I have heard many good things about you. Thanks for hooking me up, I know at first it was all confusing with everyone sending me messages about what to do. I wish to learn more about you and hopefully you will make a Facebook now. LOL, Peace Colin, thank you!!!!! I hope to meet you one day, can’t wait.

I will in two months at a BSC event, yay!! THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love chatting with you on Facebook also. You are a very interesting friend.

John Catt, how many times have I told you thank you, ha-ha-hah. Getting to know you has been delighting. Thanks for all of your help, my guitars middle name is John. I hope we stay friends for life and that we meet someday. Thanks again for making this all possible.

It was so wonderful to meet you at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis and I can’t wait to see you again in a month and in June. The future only brings joy! Thanks especially to you!!!!!

And finally, but not least, Dave Strong, I know we never really had a chance to talk. You can blame John, ha-hah, Just kidding. I love your last name by the way. Thanks sooo much though Dave, you really have made me a happy young woman. I hope to see you and can’t wait for the day!

Thanks to you all, I now have a dark blue, electric squire! My guitars full name is: Joe John Dave and its nickname is Colin. Weird name I know, but cancer is weird also. I want to learn to play and play to make money for St. Jude.

Peace and love,
Britlo