Heather Johnson was a 38-year old wife and mother of two small girls when she was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer. She resolved during her five years of treatment to write about her experiences, her victories, her setbacks, her ups and downs, and her hopes and dreams for the future. Most of all, she wanted to write of her love for her daughters, her husband, and her family. She intended to publish her writings in book form when she was declared cancer-free. One of her post-cancer goals was to work as an advocate for other cancer patients, to help them through the maze of procedures and red tape, to give them hope, to inspire them to become the kind of fierce and determined warrior that she was. Heather’s slogan was: Live! Survive!! THRIVE!!! Heather’s family and friends ("The Tribe") trust that this book will give you hope and determination, whether or not you are a cancer patient. Live as Heather did. Live each day to the fullest. Love to the maximum and beyond. Love yourself and nurture your body and your spirit. If you are knocked down, get up. Again and again and again. You are a warrior. You are a survivor.Sections of this book will make you laugh aloud. Others will bring you to tears. Heather's wit, wisdom, courage, faith, and love will certainly inspire you. Heather Davis Johnson was a wife, a mother, a daughter and a sister. She was a typical suburban mom until her cancer diagnosis. She was a loyal and steadfast friend who sought out other cancer warriors so that she could help them help themselves on their journey toward wellness. Heather was born and raised in the Baltimore area, except for 3 years living in England while she was in elementary school. She was a graduate of the University of Maryland and attended graduate school at Johns Hopkins University while employed at the Kimmel Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions in Baltimore. She and Steve Johnson were together for nearly 20 years and were married in 2005 at St. Leo's Church in Baltimore's Little Italy. They were blessed with two wonderful daughters, Grace and Katy. Heather and Steve lived in Fallston, MD, and in the Canton section of Baltimore near Patterson Park prior to that. Heather touched many lives along the way, offering hope and serving as a role model for new cancer patients while inspiring everyone who knew her. She loved Steve, Grace, and Katy with every fiber of her being and fought with all her strength to remain with them. For five years she endured several surgeries, radiation treatment, and countless chemotherapy sessions at Johns Hopkins and at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York. She fought her cancer with the determination and courage of a seasoned warrior with support from her family and an extended group of friends which made up The Tribe. She chronicled her journey first on CaringBridge.org and later on Facebook. She planned to compile and publish these postings in book form when she was cancer-free. The Starfish Chronicles represent the fulfilment of her plan.