The story I am about to tell you is one I hope will bring you joy, a greater sense of yourself, and hope, for in hope we find the will and the courage to fight, to survive and to live a better life.

In 1982 I had a malignant melanoma removed from my right thigh. Six months later I was diagnosed at the MD Anderson Cancer Institute in Houston, Texas, with carcanoma of the breast, stage III. I think it all began when I fell down a short flight of stair and broke my ankle. Soon thereafter, I began experiencing extreme pain in the outer part of my right breast. There were no lumps, just large flat, firm area.

I was told by three different physicians that it was nothing to worry about. However, by now the pain was spreading down my arm and back. A mammogram showed two areas of heavy calcium deposits, but the doctor again said no problem.

In February 1983, nearly three months after my fall, I returned for my six month melanoma checkup. All was well until I casually mentioned the pain in my breast. The doctor took one look and told me the redness, the swelling, the dimpling and inverted nipple implied a malignancy. The firm, enlarged nodes indicated metastasis. Had all my other doctors missed the diagnosis? He had to be mistaken!

I had now become defensive and was denying reality. It's not as if I had been a passive observer that was the frightening thought. I could feel the panic rising from the pit of my stomach. My calmness betrayed my fear. The doctor was talking but I was not listening. My mind was flooded with questions and the answers terrified me.

A needle biopsy was immediately performed and the dreaded disease was in fact found.. cancer.

I heard the doctor tell my husband the that it was highly invasive and spreading rapidly. In a hushed tone he said he had seen many women in my condition and less than 5% survived more than two years.

My God, I had cancer! Why me? My children. What about my children? I was too young! I though about my mother. She would need comfort. During the day I denied my feelings of despair. At night, when I was alone, I could cry and no one would hear.  SEE PRODUCTS

I began chemotherapy the very next day. For a year and a half, I was given a steady flow of five different drugs for a period of four days and three nights, and all over again three weeks later.

One morning I awoke to find my long blonde hair was no more. That's when the full impact of this horrifying, destructive disease hit me. As I looked at the clumps of hair in my hand, I felt broken and devastated and fell to the floor sobbing. Of course, the pain was much deeper than just losing my hair. I was crying for me, just me!

After the first session of chemo, I returned to my beautiful home in Palm Beach. Through my bedroom window I gazed at the ocean, walked through my lush, well manicured gardens, dangled my feet in the oversized pool and admired my cars. All this luxury and I still felt only emptiness and despair. Cancer does not care about who you are or how much money you have.

After the shock and anger subsided, I knew I wanted to live. I started the mental fight to win. I would not accept the prognosis nor be trapped by fear. I would look to other avenues for help. But mainly, I would look to myself.

Now, I knew my husband had not been sick in many years, even though he was a heavy smoker and had a terrible diet of junk food. And, I knew he took several vitamins each day. However, the importance of vitamins was not known to me at the time. I was young and healthy. Why should I bother? One day at breakfast I asked him what, exactly, he was taking. He told me it was a combination of vitamins, minerals and what he called a "magic herb" called Echinacea. Wow! I thought. Maybe, just maybe, the magic combination would work for me too! We agreed.

I began taking the combination eight to ten times a day. I also began to use the "visualization" technique, and as unbelievable as it may sound, I could actually feel my tumor shrinking.

After three months of chemo to reduce the size of the tumor, I had surgery. Miraculously, the large mass that was only supposed to shrink, had totally disappeared! My mammogram was normal. My breast was no longer swollen or discolored. And, the pain was gone. The magic had worked for me, and I thanked God!

At the urging of my physicians, I underwent a simple, modified mastectomy. When the pathologist's report came back, it stated, "remarkable recovery, only microscopic evidence in breast and nodes." My medical record was sent on to the teaching department at MD Anderson. To this day, my doctor still scratches his head when he reviews my medical history. I am totally cancer free! I call it my miracle. I don't know how it all worked. Was it the vitamin herbal formula? Was it my doctor? Was it my positive attitude? Or was it my strong, personal relationship with God? I knew that His hand was on my shoulder and still is.

I do know, my faith gave me the courage to fight. I was lucky and knew my family loved me whether I was cheerful or despondent. They protected and cared for me and surrounded me with love.

In 1993 my life took an unexpected turn. Everyday I asked God, "why am I here?" "Why am I a survivor?" Now I don't know if you believe in your dreams, but I do, and I believe God called to me in a dream one night telling me I must share my blessing with others. That dream changed my life.

Could my "magic pills" work miracles for others as they had worked for me? There was only one way to find out! I had to share my miracle with others, and my financial security gave me the freedom to fulfill this dream. Today, the "magic pills" have helped countless others. You know it as ONE LIFE. After all, we have only one life to live!

There is so much I have learned from my ordeal. However, I must tell you that because of new techniques available, everyone must accept responsibility to learn as much as they can about cancer treatment. If you or a loved one is suffering from any disease, you owe it to learn as much as you can about treatment - conventional as well as alternative. Question your doctors. Question everyone involved in the healing process, because ultimately, we must be responsible for ourselves. Don't just rely on one single opinion. Get informed on all your alternatives, because Hope truly is everywhere for taking!