The Heroes Among Us

By Mari Sampedro-Iglesia

Mari and Jose seemed to have it all: two beautiful sons, successful careers, and, above all, happiness and good health. On April 13, 2010, though, their world collapsed when Jose was diagnosed with stage 4 head and neck cancer.

Cancer does not discriminate against any one creed, race, or ethnicity. The road to recovery is exhausting and can sometimes destroy a familyor bring them closer together. This is the story of how, instead of allowing this disease to destroy them, one family used it as a lesson in faith and a testament to the heroes that carried them through this life-changing challenge.

The Heroes among Us is a true story that pays tribute to the heroes among us that are sometimes not acknowledged. As you read the book, you too will be moved by all that can be accomplished with faith, hope, and love!

As you read this book, remember that although author Mari Sampedro-Iglesia takes you through her journey, it is not her journey or her ending that is important. What is important is getting through the journey, wherever its roads may lead, with faith, hope, and love. Although it is Maris hope that her husband lives to be 101, that is not what is important. What is important and tantamount to this story is that a terrible disease may be survived with the people that carry us through itour heroes.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jul 29, 2011
• ISBN: 9781449720742

Mari Sampedro-Iglesia

Mari Sampedro-Iglesia was born in Cuba, grew up in New Jersey, and now lives in South Florida with her husband and two sons. After obtaining a law degree from the University of Miami and practicing law for nineteen years, she now serves as a circuit court judge in the juvenile division.

Book preview

Copyright © 2011 Mari Sampedro-Iglesia

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

WestBow Press books may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

1-[phone]

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Front cover photograph taken by Jorge Torres

Front cover photograph edited by Armando Legra.

ISBN: 978-1-4497-2075-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-2074-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011912013

Printed in the United States of America

WestBow Press rev. date: 7/27/2011

"When someone is diagnosed with cancer, there are places to turn to regarding what to expect. For example, what the pain from the surgery or nausea from chemo or the lasting effects of radiation will be like. However, rarely do you see the ‘complete’ story of a full family’s experience from diagnosis through treatment and early cure described so eloquently. Behind this horrible diagnosis, this is a beautiful story of love, support, faith, family, survival, and God willing, a happy ending."

Matthew C. Abramowitz M.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center,

University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine

"At some point in all of our lives we will, at one time or another, experience the pain and suffering that cancer can inflict on loved ones. Mari Sampedro-Iglesia’s story is truly an inspiration. Through her journey, her faith was her strength and her light. She is truly an angel. We are blessed to have a peek into her life. I can only pray that if faced with the despair she has experienced that I too can have the courage that she has exemplified in The Heroes among Us!"

Vanessa Alenier,

National Sales Manager

"For those of us who have been caregivers to loved ones with cancer, Mari’s sincere and frank story describing her journey as a caregiver, wife, and mother serves to remind us once again that cancer is a HORRIFIC disease that affects the patient as well as the family. The Heroes among Us personifies the significance of coming together as a community to cope and prevail over this monstrous disease. Mari’s story is one of great appreciation for family and friends, enlightenment and compassion, and one that empowers us with hope."

Katherine Fernandez Rundle, State Attorney,

Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida

"Saint Ignatius of Loyola insisted that one of the greatest exercises that any individual could perform was to occasionally, even daily, examine his or her life. Ultimately the purpose of this exercise is to identify the events and especially people who throughout the day helped the individual attain his or her goals to become a better person. Because so often we live such hectic lives, it is not possible to identify those people or events at the particular moment we are with them or are experiencing them. But, in Mari Sampedro-Iglesia’s book she is able to step back and reflect, pause and examine her journey through her husband’s cancer and give us a heartwarming and inspiring testament of faith, hope, and love. The exercise makes it possible for her to recognize those people who have helped shape her, those people and events that have made her the person she is today. It puts into practice the wisdom of our parents and their parents before them. Like Mari, this self-examination can empower us to better understand ourselves and open the doors to discovering The Heroes among Us."

Father Willie Garcia-Tuñon, S.J. and Principal,

Belen Jesuit Preparatory School, Miami, Florida

This beautiful story of love and hope is a lesson in facing a life challenge with courage, grace, and wisdom. Ironically, by sharing the story of Jose’s illness, Mari has turned sadness into strength, fear into courage, and reminded us of the limitless power of true love. I am proud just to be her friend.

Cindy Lederman,

Circuit Court Judge of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit

This is a story about the strength of the human spirit and the spiritual bonds that hold us together. Mari, through her writings, teaches us about the power of love, commitment and faith, as well as the invaluable power of positive thinking and prayer. By sharing her family’s experiences during this time of extreme hardship, Mari opens a window into their life and the faith that binds them to friends and extended family.

Lourdes Pons, Chief Executive Officer of Family Resource Center and Attorney at Law

"With so much challenging the unity of our families today, The Heroes among Us stands as a testament to what the power of faith, hope, and love can overcome. This true story told through the eyes and heart of a loving wife, mother, and friend will move you to tears and then warm your heart in an extraordinary way. As you walk with this family on their journey, this story will bring you to the realization that for the family that believes, NOTHING can tear them apart."

Raymond Rodriguez-Torres, M. Mgt,

Author of the Bestseller: Why Not Me? A True Story about a Miracle in Miami.

"At some point in our lives most of us likely will be faced with either caring for a loved one or being cared for by a loved one. Should we ever face a major illness, we would only be too lucky to have someone like Mari be the one caring for us. What my sister fails to realize is that The Heroes among Us starts and ends with her. My hero … my sister."

David Sampedro, Esq., Mari’s little brother

"As a child psychologist, I always think about resilience. What is it that allows someone to persevere in light of adversity? In reading Mari Sampedro-Iglesia’s story, it is clear that many forces have to come together, particularly during such difficult times, to help the individual or the family be resilient. I was moved by the strength of the family, and it was also clear that this family had the systemic support of many people. Everyone mentioned in this story clearly had a role in the treatment and ongoing recovery, including the children, extended family, friends, doctors, and God. Together they have helped Jose undertake what has become the leading cause of death in America with respect, dignity, and courage. Although it is easier to avoid reading such an emotional story of the battle with cancer, I can personally say that it empowered me to appreciate my own daily life and to do the same for my patients. I encourage others to read this powerful story of a family that has come together and gotten stronger, as they work toward the goal of beating cancer, not only for themselves, but through this book, for others."

Andrew Wenger, PhD, Clinical Psychologist and Professor at the University of Miami

"The truth we must all accept is that we, even the most fortunate among us, will eventually face life’s great challenges. Mari Sampedro-Iglesia’s story, in her book The Heroes among Us, details the strength and comfort she found during her husband’s serious illness and treatment from her loving family, her devoted friends, and her deep belief in faith and prayer. Although we each pray