Dogs are kind, loving, and compassionate. They will not judge you, mistreat you, or leave you. They will protect you and care for you throughout their whole life. After my long journey of multiple surgeries to treat my brain cancer, I adopted Hashi. He was a one year old stray that was born in Taiwan. When I saw his pictures online, I felt like he was the dog I’ve been looking for. His medium size was perfect. I knew that his shiba inu side would come with loyalty and protection and his golden retriever side would bring love and playfulness. His features reminded me of my akita dogs I had when I was younger. In Taiwan, they clipped the ears of stray dogs to indicate that they have been spayed or neutered. Hashi’s left ear is the same side I had my brain surgeries and radiation therapy. With the adoption agency I went through, there was a trial period before I could officially adopt Hashi. On our first check-up, the decision maker said that he looked so comfortable and happy with me, opposed to the three previous people before me, and I was able to officially adopt him. I feel like we were destined to be together. Hashi is five and a half years old and has been a positive light in my life. He always welcomes me home, keeps me active, and protects me.

I have learned that life never goes as planned, so you have to be open to new experiences and have the intrinsic motivation to change the things that you have the ability to change. Four years into my planned twenty year military career, I found out that I had a brain tumor. To my luck, the tumor resection surgery removed the tumor completely, and I was able to continue working in the United States Coast Guard. However, four years after my surgery, the brain cancer returned and I was medically retired from the military. I learned that life can be shorter than you expect, so you should make a career out of something you enjoy. I love to surf, play tennis, pickleball, snowboard, paint, draw, crochet, and woodwork, so I decided to go back to school and aim for a career that involves recreation. Furthering my education in this field will help my impact the community and bring people joy the way I have been blessed to experience it throughout my life, especially during difficult times. I want to take any opportunity I can to introduce people to recreational activities that bring them joy so that they can live long and healthy lives. Everyone has their own stresses and battles, and I know from personal experience that physical activities and community events can make a big difference in overall wellness.

When life gives you lemons, you can either be negative and bitter about it, or you can make yourself a lemon drop and enjoy the benefits of what life gave you! Many people get sad, scared, or uncomfortable when they hear the word “cancer.” When my doctor first told me that I had a brain tumor, I didn’t feel any of those emotions. I accepted what he told me and looked forward to the surgery. Although the tumor resection successfully removed the cancer, the infections after the surgery and time spent in the hospital added up to 53 days and seven surgeries. I spent many nights in the uncomfortable hospital beds, sometimes not being able to walk due to my physical state, but I never had any negative thoughts or feelings. I was always surrounded by my family and never spent a night alone. After I fully healed, three and a half years later, the cancer returned. Although this meant the end of my military career and the start of radiation therapy, I thought of it as a new opportunity. I learned that you have to be grateful that you’re alive and life is what you make it. Positive thoughts are imperative to a happy life, and you only get one.