Embracing the present [The Record, Stockton, Calif.]

Dec. 24--STOCKTON -- For many families on Christmas, special emphasis is placed on creating a joyous day with feasts, gifts and celebrations.

For others, just surviving is the goal.

For Aaron Delgado and his fiancee, Jezelle Reyes, a young homeless couple, today celebrates being there for each other. For Escalon's hard-working Jasso family, it's about being at home together once again.

Last Christmas was rough for both families.

Their stories and experiences -- shared with Record readers during the past year -- are vastly different. What they have in common is that this Christmas is sure to be better than last year's. And each is secure in the strong bond they have with loved ones.

A couple in love

Delgado, 21, is in the recovery phase of osteosarcoma -- bone cancer that typically develops in large bones during the rapid growth of adolescence. One year ago, he had recently moved into the Family and Youth Services of San Joaquin County long-term shelter on California Street.

Just a few units short of a high school diploma, unemployed and with no health insurance, the heavy metal guitarist had been living on the streets and sleeping on friends' couches since walking out of his family home.

He was treating the undiagnosed pain in his right leg with Tylenol and Bengay. It wasn't until he moved into the shelter that he was able to get a medical exam that discovered the bone tumor in his leg.

In the spring, he had surgery followed by chemotherapy to deal with the cancer at the University of California, San Francisco, Benioff Children's Hospital.

"My health is good today," Delgado said a few days ago. That's encouraging, considering his right knee has been replaced by an artificial titanium joint and rod in his leg. He no longer requires a heavy, full-leg cast or a wheelchair, and only needs the assistance of a cane when he walks long distances.

"I don't want my knee to buckle up," he said, recalling a painful tumble he took recently.

Throughout his illness and recuperation, Reyes, 19, has been Delgado's constant companion and soulmate. They've known each other since high school.

"I'm grateful for my fiancee being there with me through the treatments. She even worked a little while to help me out. I'm grateful to be alive," Delgado said, thinking about what Christmas means to him.

"You're so sweet," Reyes responded. "This has brought us closer together as a couple. I believe things happen for a reason, the things that God puts us through."

Delgado had a different take.

"I don't think it's for a reason. I just have this personality that allows me to overcome things because I have to. I just feel I have inner strength no matter how weak someone wants to make me."

Reyes took the opportunity to thank community members who have "come together to give us a hand. I'm grateful for the community contributing to help us with savings until we move out. This experience has also brought me and my mom closer together."

Delgado is also grateful for the outcome of the medical attention he has received.

"Some kids I saw in the hospital weren't as lucky to keep their leg or walk the same way, even though I broke my leg with the tumor still inside," he said.

Those will be some of the thoughts the young couple will share today as they sit together watching television and eating homemade roast turkey cooked by Reyes.

Tight-knit family

Since Berenice Jasso, 15, received a life-saving kidney donated from her mother, Maria, 50, one year ago, she's returned to school full time, taking advanced-placement classes at Escalon High School. Her daily medications have been reduced from 15 to five, and she is "really happy" to be home this Christmas.

She's especially pleased that her diet is back to normal. At one time during her darkest days before the kidney transplant, her weight fell below 100 pounds.

"I can eat my favorite Mexican food, and junk food -- but sometimes Mom doesn't let me," Berenice said, shooting a knowing glance at her mother. She continues to limit her salt intake.

Following her own donor surgery, Maria Jasso is back at full strength and maintaining the rural family farmhouse. She recently completed painting the entire house, except her own master bedroom. Berenice's sister, Regina, 21, who put her college studies on hold to drive the family to medical appointments and translate for her Spanish-speaking parents, is back at Delta College studying child development. Their father, Jesus, 51, who suffered a stroke in 2008 about a year before Berenice became ill, also is healthy and back working as a vineyard equipment supervisor.

Berenice had a health setback in late October when doctors, not wanting to take any chances, removed her appendix following a mysterious abdominal pain. It turned out her appendix was healthy, but she was suffering from a blood infection. She still managed to make it home from the hospital in time to dress up as a kitty cat for Halloween trick-or-treating.

After all her experiences, Berenice has a new take on life these days.

"I see things from a different point of view. I used to laugh about things. I take things more seriously now. Our family got closer with what happened. I help out more at home. I study more. I'm a nerd now," she said -- with just the hint of a giggle.

Contact reporter Joe Goldeen at (209) 546-8278 or [email protected]. Visit his blog at recordnet.com/goldeenblog.

___

(c)2011 The Record (Stockton, Calif.)

Visit The Record (Stockton, Calif.) at www.recordnet.com

Distributed by MCT Information Services