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have gone through the pre-op); I did not need any further cancer treatments; and, best of all... I never had any nicotine withdrawal because I went into a coma caused by ARDS and slept through it. I view all of this as the up-side to what was a traumatic experience, not only for myself, but for my family.

I am saddened that in the past five years I have lost loved ones who were not as fortunate as I. But on their behalf, I have written a journal and have participated in two research programs sponsored by the University of Philadelphia and Seattle, WA. I have retired from the business world and pursued a writing career which is something I didn't take time for before.

Life is good! I have been granted this reprieve and thank God every day. Whatever help I can be to others, I am more than happy to be there, share and encourage. We all learn in one way or another that life is too short not to be grateful for every minute we have. And to accomplish something in that minute is really all that counts.

Given all of the irony involved in my experience with cancer, if I were to be honest about it, my greatest fear is not that cancer could reoccur, but that ARDS can strike me again, or anyone, at almost any time, i.e., during difficult childbirth; having pneumonia; having a bad case of flu, or any number of health issues that would otherwise seem non-life threatening. I would strongly urge anyone who has never heard of this condition to go to the ARDS web-site and read about it. It could help save your life or that of someone you care about.

Learn more about this author, Donna Marie Gray.
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