From: Michelle Pardes, author of “Still Breathing..from Cancer to Living..a comprehensive and personal guide’..

In May of 2003, I discovered a lump and my medical journey began. After months of being misdiagnosed (they thought I had Mononucleosis at 52 years old..the oldest person ever diagnosed with Mono was 38 years old) I learned that I had Non Hodgkins Lymphoma, Large B Cell, Stage IV.
Within 24 hours I had to leave the world I loved..teaching elementary school and enter “The Frightening World of Cancer”. Timing is everything..the diagnosis came 6 weeks prior to my daughter’s wedding (yes, I made it to the wedding..however, the day after the wedding I had pnuemocystitis pneumonia..hospitalized for 3 weeks).
After many rounds of unsuccessful chemotherapies, I was given a “life line” through the City of Hope. I tried and successfully was accepted into a Clinical Trial for Zevlin..highly radioactive targeted therapy (Lance Armstrong happened to be outside my window where I was in seclusion for he was kicking off his awareness bicycle race throughout the United States). I also had an autologous Bone Marrow Transplant.
I overcame Cancer..HOWEVER no one can ever be prepared that your life will never be the same. I attempted to go back to teaching after three years of absence into the very same classroom I was removed from (strange occurence happened one week after my diagnosis..a former student of mine..same classroom was diagnosed with Lymphoma..his sister whom was also a student of mine had Brain Cancer and just passed away..Co-incidence??).
After three more years of darkness, PTSD, and searching for the meaning of my survival..I decided that I still could teach..be the Story Teller I always was..and decided to write my book in order to “lead others out of the land of darkness into the world of light” with a mission for all that are walking in my shoes..to deliver my message of “Paying Hope Forward” as a Survivorship Coach, Humorist, author and speaker.

I feel STRONGLY and PASSIONATELY that NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO FACE A HEALTH CRISIS ALONE!

Through my “Giving a Gift With A Lift”..my book which is booth inspirational, motivational and educational Cancer Patients have their own “Cancer Bible” guiding themselves through a variety of issues that come up using my “Travel Guide Tips. The book is in audio and I do have a website where you can see a UTube I just did.

I am determined to make a difference in the lives of those that are touched by cancer..bringing hope and inspiration.

“In a hundred years from now..it will not matter what clothes you wore, what house you lived in, what car you drove..what will matter is that you made a difference in the lives of others.

With hope and wishing everyone “L’chaim” Life..

Michelle Pardes aka Still Breathing

I would like to add my name and photo to this cause but not through facebook. Is there another way I can provide my image to this important cause?