Hello Everyone,

I'm sorry that I haven't been able to be in better contact with everyone about my latest bit of news. Here's the story thus far.

I'd been having horrible headaches since the end of April, which just kept getting worse and worse. I spent a lot of time waiting and waiting for my health insurance to kick in. I even spent several weeks in Chicago, where I went to see my old pediatrician, who told me that he didn't think I had tumors. Yeah, right. Don't get me wrong, I still love the guy, but apparently, I do have a tumor.

The headaches just kept getting worse and worse, and I finally wound up in the ER at the University of California at San Francisco on Sunday, throwing up outside and inside the ER. They gave me a cat scan, where the tumor was discovered. You must understand that I was in complete shock. I couldn't believe that I was 27 years old and had a brain tumor. It turned out that my entire family was able to get to the hospital by Monday evening, which was amazing. I was also overloaded with wonderful friends and other sources of support, that I can't even tell you how much it meant to me.

As it turns out, I am apparently at the best hospital in the country with the best surgeon in the country as well, which gives me a lot of faith. I'm scared as hell. I'm nervous. I don't know what will happen next. I'm scheduled for surgery on Monday morning at 6:30 AM. Because the tumor is on the front left lobe of my brain, it is dangerously close to the part of my brain that controls the speech and right-hand movements. Like I said before, I'm totally scared. I also have to say, that I have never felt so much love in my life. I had no idea how many people loved me and cared so much about me. It's amazing how great friends and, of course family, can be. Please, feel free to contact me either via email or snail mail. Also, please feel free to pass this on to as many folks as you would like. What an amazing feeling to know that so many people are making the effort to keep folks up to date on my progress.

I'm staying at my friend's house till my surgery. Then I'll be in the hospital for 3 to 5 days afterwards. I am at Susan and Kate's apartment in the Castro until Monday, and then I don't know where I'll be staying. Either here or at home. The address here is 2227 15th Street, San Francisco, CA 94114 . You may email me as well. I really do love the phone calls, but I have a hard time being on the phone right now. Emails seem to be the best thing. I love having visitors, but please make sure to call first before coming over. I love all of you. I can't tell you how great all of the love has been. If you are planning on coming over later today, please make sure to not come over before calling, and not before 9 pm. Thanks again.

Love,

Danielle