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"While I find it difficult to define a person in a matter of a few words, I am first and foremost a wife, mother, and grandmother," said Jan.  Jan has three wonderful children and six grandchildren (number seven arriving before the end of the year). She and her husband, Lee Cotaya, have resided in Harahan, Louisiana for almost 40 years. "I met Lee in college while snow skiing in Colorado. When I tell people that he swept me off of my feet, I mean it literally not figuratively! Lee and I collided on the mountain top, sending me home with a concussion. Well, a concussion and a husband." Jan says she should have known then that their life together would be full of laughs and adventure. 

She was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer about 24 years ago. "While I am certainly aware that the number of women who have died of breast cancer has steadily decreased since 1989 thanks to early detection and treatment improvements, a Stage 4 cancer diagnosis was quite intimidating, to say the least," Jan recalled. 

As instructed, she underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation and breast reconstruction. Jan remained steadfast in her faith, her doctors, and the treatment proposed. "I distinctly remember one of my doctors telling me that I needed to dedicate and devote a year of my life to myself and my recovery. And that is exactly what I did." 

"While I know that positive thinking alone can't cure cancer, I truly believe that optimism is critical to enduring those difficult treatments and overcoming each medical obstacle", Jan explained.  At the time of her diagnosis, her children were about 8, 10 and 12 years old. She attributes her desire to fight and determination to win mostly to her children. "I had to survive for three young kids who needed me. Defeat was just not an option." While Jan's breast cancer diagnosis and treatment was definitely the most difficult experience of her lifetime (both mentally and physically), she remains grateful for the values and perspective gained. In her darkest hours, she was surrounded by her loving husband, family and friends who took wonderful care of her, and her children. "As a mother, helplessness is a truly difficult emotion to process, especially when it comes to caring for your own children," Jan recalls. "I can say that a cancer diagnosis puts a completely different twist on the old saying that it takes a village to raise a child!" Witnessing her village rise up during that year provided a humbling sense of comfort. 

A self-employed CPA practicing mostly in the tax arena, Jan spends most of her time spoiling her grandchildren, hosting family dinners,  reading, traveling and enjoying time spent with friends and family. 

Often times, people don’t truly understand and appreciate what they have until it is gone. While Jan cannot find one positive thing to say about cancer in of itself, cancer survival, on the other hand, is one of those extraordinary experiences that provides some with a life-altering shift in perspective. "When you are stamped evermore with a stage 4 breast cancer survival badge and you are still living and thriving 24 years later, you certainly learn to cherish the little moments with your family; you show gratitude for all of life’s blessings; you embrace every opportunity to travel and learn something new; and you eat the cake and buy the shoes because life is too short for regrets."