"There are experiences in our life that teach us lessons we may have never learned any other way. Though these experiences may have been some of the hardest and trying times of our life, the lessons we learn from them make it worth it. When I became sick in the summer of 2006 - and never imagined that my illness would be my greatest teacher - I learned five major lessons, or pieces of wisdom, that I would like to share with others, so they don't have to go through what I did to learn them.

We only get one life to live. Make it count. As people, we often tend to think we have more time than we really do. We don't. Do the things you want to do and experience life as much as you can. Death is an unbiased timekeeper that sometimes comes sooner rather than later.

Cherish your family and friends. Sometimes we tend to take the people we love the most for granted. These people are rare gifts, and they are the only ones who will always love you unconditionally, no matter what.

Hope is a powerful force. During my illness, there were times people thought my case was hopeless. Luckily, my loved ones never let that thought enter my head. I learned that as long as you have hope for a better time, you will overcome any obstacle.

Pain is real, and it hurts everyone just the same. People often tell me that others' pain is nothing compared to mine. This isn't true. No one can judge another's pain. And no one can tell another his or her pain is not legitimate.

We are surrounded by miracles every day - small everyday miracles that are often overlooked. I find it amazing that even though, through the winter, we cannot see the flowers, we know every spring they will be there."