July 1983 was a very important anniversary date for Tiffani Miller. It was 12 years ago she first learned she had cancer. It was the kind of shock she and her family lived through only with the support, love and prayers of the Pleasanton community.

The first few years of Tiffani's life were spent in near darkness. She was born with cataracts and until she underwent the first of 3 surgery procedures and at the age of 3 obtained glasses, there was not much light in her life. She now wears a contact and has vision in that eye only.

On Christmas Eve 1971, when she was just 6 years old, Tiffani was rushed to the hospital complaining of an extreme stomach ache. The "ache" turned out to be a malignant tumor the size of a small football. The diagnosis was rahaledomgo, muscle cancer, and surgery was performed immediately to successfully remove the tumor. However, in July of 1973, in the hospital for a routine check-up, it was discovered she had yet another tumor; this time in the lower left side of her lung. That portion of her lung had to be removed. Tiffani had a total of four different tumors and her life expectancy was not given a bright outlook.

Hearing of her difficulties, the community pulled together with prayers, organization, and funds and fulfilled what was then Tiffani's life dream - a trip to Disneyland.

Today, Tiffani is a beautiful, willowy brunette who is enjoying excellent health and is living life to its fullest. The 18 year old has no bitterness, hate or remorse toward the extended illness that affected so much of her life.

"Looking backwards can often be a painful experience, she says, "but it is something that must be done so that mistakes can be corrected and perspectives can be gained. I was a cancer patient, she continued, "today a very common predicament, but to me, it was my childhood, and my adolescence."

Tiffani often reflects on these memories of her past to gain new perspectives on life. "I wanted to know why I had been chosen," she says. "At the time I was quite blind to the purpose of my suffering, but after new experiences, and new insights, I am beginning to find a happiness in understanding the 'cross I had to bear' a happiness that will never be taken away."

The many tests she had to endure, the liver-scans and blood tests, the chemo and radiation therapy; all had their adverse effects on Tiffani. The loss of her long dark brown hair made it necessary for her to wear a wig to school. This loss, along with great weight loss she suffered and the extra thick glasses she had to wear, made grade school a difficult experience for her since the obvious differences were hard for her classmates to accept. "I had my own circle of friends who would play with me," Tiffani said. "The others were afraid, they didn't know how to treat me. They looked at me as though I was made of glass and that if they touched me I would break."

All of this is now behind Tiffani and she looks at life with a very positive attitude. "Trivial things do not bother me, she says. "There are too many important events in life to concentrate on. I don't take life for granted and I accept what happens in my daily life as having a reason. We don't always know that reason at the time of life's happening's" she continued, "but it always works out for the best. We should just learn to accept what happens to us as an experience of life. Those who understand this philosophy of life understand how I feel. To those that don't, I feel its something that can't be explained. They might never understand," she stated.

Tiffani is the granddaughter of the late John McWilliams, who was a former Pleasanton councilman, Mayor and president of the Pleasanton Township County Water District.

The 1982 graduate will return to St. Mary's College this fall for her sophomore year. She is majoring in French and Communications, and hopes to travel to France in her senior year and then become a French teacher.

With seven years of French already to her credit, Tiffani will tutor elementary students at St. Mary's. Last year she worked as a disc jockey on KSMC at St. Mary's and enjoyed it very much. This honor student also enjoys being involved with the theater, and prefers musical or dramatic roles.

Photography is Tiffani's hobby. She takes and develops her own pictures; both black and white and color. She is a first place winner at the Alameda County Fair with a black and white print and a second place winner with a color print.

This summer Tiffani worked for Community First National Bank and enjoyed "the great experience and the walk to work every day."

Today, Tiffani continues to have good check-ups but as time goes by, they become less and less frequent. All indications are that she has and will continue to enjoy, a healthy life. Tiffani sums it up best. "Everything happens for a reason. Look for the positive and use past experiences as guidelines for the future."

To see a reproduction of the original article and edition of Pleasanton Pathways, visit: October 10, 1983 Pathways.