Special Thanks from Jana

Having been housebound for the better part of the past year, I've had hundreds of hours to reflect on my life and the people with whom I've had the opportunity of sharing it. A few years ago, long before my cancer diagnosis, I often fantasized about the day I would conquer Lyme Disease, the illness that had been destroying my life since 2004. Many of the names that follow were to be included on an invitation list for a party to celebrate the restoration of my health and what I hoped would be the beginning of a better life with newly discovered priorities.

Unfortunately, this list now serves a different purpose. Chronic pain and illness have a way of clarifying what's important and who your closest friends and family are. In my case, the people who have stood by me from the beginning, as well as others I've met along the way, have been truly exceptional. Acknowledging them here is the least I can do.

Thank you to the following health and wellness practitioners who have been not only caring but who also went above and beyond the call of duty: Dr. Vincentia Schroeter, Ruth Kriz, Dr. James Novak and his wonderful medical staff, John Maxwell, Robert Davis, Carol Buma, Dr. David Olsen, Penny King, Jeannine Fernandes, Dr. Carol Ann Ryser, Dr. David Getoff, Dr. Attila Toth, Dr. Therese Yang, Robert Mullen, Dr. Charles Lewis, Dr. Karl Luber and Dr. David Redwine.

I am indebted to San Diego State University friends and colleagues who were understanding throughout my six-year health ordeal as well as unconditionally supportive during my two medical leaves of absence: Dr. Phillip Gay, Dr. Stuart Henry, Dr. Jill Esbenshade, Dr. Kyra Greene, Melanie Dumont, Dr. David Carruthers, Dr. Norma Ojeda, Anna Bellatorre and countless other graduate and undergraduate students, too many to be named but nevertheless fondly remembered.

Thank you especially to longstanding friends who called and wrote frequently without expecting anything in return, including well-wishes from those from my distant past: Andrew Harnett; Kristy Gladfelter Coronel; Amy Petri; David Kramer; Ashley Powell; Carin Willis and Nicholas Becker; Jon, Janet and Sean McCue; Laura Frick; Leah Marer; Eric Breitweiser; Karen Rieselbach; Margot Harrison; Richa Reed; Karen Temple; Debbie Kisters; Mary Kate Bristow; Paul Curtis; Jennifer Hyde; Kim Crawford; Toska Olson; and Angie Nadjafi.

I also appreciate the heartfelt letters of nostalgia from my cousins Jennifer VanMeter Almeciga and Kyla Pershing Peacock.

To Bill Crawford, Gazzy Parman, Domini Stottsbury, and Christine Feehan, amazingly talented people who made the end of my life magical, I am humbled by your generosity.

I am forever thankful to my parents, James and Patricia Pershing, for their love and compassion and to my brother, Jim Pershing, who was always a trusted friend and confidant. He was more than any sister could ask for.

Of special note, my last year would not have been the same without the companionship of Freddy, Byron, L.B., and Mac.

Most of all, words cannot describe the gratitude and love that I feel towards Daniel Blanchett. He is a man who embodies all the qualities I had ever hoped to find in a life companion: unconditional love, beauty, intelligence, creativity, wit, strength and optimism. Although I was ill for almost half of our 12-year relationship, Dan never wavered in his patience and kindness as my caretaker. During the worst of times, he demonstrated over and over to be my soul mate, in the truest sense of the word. Since I cannot be granted the privilege of spending another 12 years with Dan, my wish is that he be blessed with endless love, happiness, and good health for the remainder of his life. No one is more deserving.