Grace Tsao-Wu

I have started this site to keep everyone up-to-date. At the end of December, I was diagnosed with stomach cancer that metastasized to my colon, other areas around there, and possibly my liver, lung and kidney area.

Craig has been super supportive and by my side every step of the way. My mom has chosen to hang out here for at least a while, busy making bone broths and interesting teas.  JJ (18) and Camille (14) are probably still trying to process it all and they've been very helpful, doing things that I used to do (driving to school, making dance snacks and dinners). Craig, JJ and the dance moms have been terrific in driving Camille to/fro. My friends have been really supportive and logistically helpful (driving, feeding the family - so much food that I could feed the homeless in Chicago). Laura hosted a really nice birthday lunch for me on MLK day where my friends went all out. John somehow put me on the Pope's prayer list and had our amazing junior senator call me.

I'm overwhelmed with the support and love and I'm sorry I haven't responded to everyone who has reached out. This "project" is a 24/7 job. Besides, I've put myself on a baby's schedule - Epsom salt bath by 8, in bed by 9!

I've shared my outlook with a lot of people but for those who haven't heard it, here it goes. I was weepy the first couple of weeks after the diagnosis but no longer. I long ago stopped looking at charts, numbers and bell curves. I've always been an outlier and done things a little differently and accomplished things people didn't necessarily think were possible and were out of the box. I'm going to do the same here. I'm going to beat this and knock it out of the box. It will be harder and require more outside help, for the first time from medical peeps. I'm using a combination of conventional (chemicals and experiments running through me) and unconventional (long list!) I am not at all angry, depressed or sad. This is my journey and I have decided to use it as an opportunity. I was looking for a new vision and now I have it. There have already been wonderful changes in my life, and I have more of a mission and vision around it that is still evolving. I can actually consider this a gift. I am not focusing on the illness but on health.  I am focusing on joy, love and gratitude.

If you want to learn about the journey to date, you can read my first journal entry that I just posted - The First 62 days.

I am asking everyone who knows me to imagine me in a pillar of light - God's love - or whatever you believe in - of power, strength, wisdom, positive energy and health. I've added a few other people in my pillar. I really believe in the power of prayer and positive energy. I hope you can do this visioning and praying for me.  Thank you!!


Love, Grace