Hello Everyone,

This may come as a shock to you, just as it did to me. With my 32nd birthday on Saturday, October 22nd, I am so grateful for life and to be here because I honestly wasn't supposed to be. This has been hard to say publicly because I wanted to deal with it on my own and heal. I didn't want to be viewed any differently or have my businesses affected.

As hard as it has been hard for me to put it out there, someone out there needs to hear my story and know that with God, all things are possible. Last summer, in late July, I had a very vivid dream. The dream told me I needed to see these doctors and get life insurance. The doctors were an endocrinologist, an oncologist, a dermatologist, my gynecologist, a hematologist, and my primary care physician- basically everything that ended with "ist." I wrote it down on my whiteboard and was very proactive. I immediately contacted my financial advisor and my insurance agents, Ren & Lauren Jainarine and asked for the most life insurance I could get. I was shedding hair, I had some acne (I never had that, even as a teenager), my weight was up and down, and my menstrual cycles were so irregular and crazy; I thought maybe I was stressed and dealing with the grieving process of losing my Dad just months earlier.

After months of testing and all tests coming back "regular" or "normal," we finally did a biopsy on January 10th. On February 10th, I received the worst news of my life, next to losing my Dad suddenly just the year before. I have been diagnosed with an aggressive form of papillary thyroid cancer. After asking, "Are you sure?" about ten times, I was hysterical and had to have this talk with my Mom. I was instructed that I had to see the surgeon right away. But! Get this; I JUST got an email saying I was approved for my life insurance policy earlier that morning! I applied months ago! I wondered what this could of meant, but my friend reassured me that God wanted me to know that He had my back. I did not want to look any way to the insurance company because I was just diagnosed. I wanted to call Ren and Lauren, but they were honestly at Disneyworld for Ren's birthday, and I did not want to do that. I was crying the whole day and night into my sleep, then the second dream came.

I heard, "Are you readyyyyyy to rumbleeeeeeeee??" and I saw a packed out arena like Madison Square Garden. All of a sudden, you see me in the ring with the boxing outfit!! I heard, "Are you ready to fight?" I'm like, "Huh, fight what?" I looked so weak, confused, and frazzled in the dream; I did not look like myself. Then, My DAD spoke! He said, "Elissa, I NEED you to fight!" I said, "Dad?!" He kept pushing me and yelling "FIGHT, ELISSA FIGHT! Kick it's butt, throw a punch, let's goooo!" If you knew my Dad then you would know how loud and boisterous he was. This thing kept coming closer and closer to me; it was not a person, it was a force. Finally, my Dad said "Throw, Elissa, throw a punch!" I swung the best I could, weak and all. Then, the bell rang.

The next morning, I took a long drive around town, sobbing and listening to music, and had a conversation with God. I asked Why? and How? a few times. Haven't I proven that I'm strong enough? What else do I have to go through? I was so tired of being strong at this point and trying to rescue myself from a dark space with my heart constantly breaking with bad news and trauma. I asked how bad it was and what to expect. I was confused by the ending of the dream and me getting life insurance that day! God spoke back and said "Did I not carry you and your family when your Father passed away? Was I not there during this time, that time, that time? (He was saying specific times I won't write here). So WHY would I leave you now? I need you to trust me!" I said ok, let me call this doctor. They knew who I was right away, and I was an emergency appointment set for that Monday, on Valentine's Day.

The dream was truly a foreshadow of what was to come, and my illness was more grave that we had thought. My surgery was pushed back three times. The first time we did not get the pre-opp and insurance authorization on time, the surgical coordinator was out sick, and then there were the holidays. The other two times, I was too high risk to go through the surgery. Since those times, I was hospitalized. I started feeling very weak, I had trouble walking, and would become unconscious and faint a lot. When I was in the hospital, I was resuscitated several times. All I can remember is being on one side of the hospital and faintly hearing, "We're losing her!" I saw darkness with a bright light and heard "It's not her time yet." It felt like I was floating. When I came back, I was naked with wires and machines all over me. The doctors and nurses were panting and yelling, 'WHAT THE F___!" This happened several times. Everytime I was in the hospital, I was watched closely and would always overhear them talk and say something like "Please watch her." They would tell them how I had them in hysteria. How young I am, to be on the lookout, etc. I had the yellow wrist band on me.

The other times I went in for surgery, I was ready to go. I had the markings on my neck, the iv with the anesthesia was going. My doctors and surgeons said "No! She is TOO HIGH RISK. There's a chance she may not make this surgery!" Then, I would have to undergo more testing and the surgery got pushed back. You have no idea how I felt! During these times, I prepared my will and trust, power of attorney, my medical care proxies, and special instructions for the "what if." I gave permission to resuscitate me again, what would happen if I stopped breathing or couldn't respond again. I listed all my doctors, gave information and passwords to all accounts, and how I would plan my funeral if it came to that! I let my mom and sister know what I would leave behind and the fact that I had life insurance policies. The note left off with "I love you. It will be ok!" With all of this going on, to be quite honest with you, I wouldn't have been surprised if my doctors and surgeons dropped me because I truly had a run for them!

Surgery finally came and I asked if we could check to make sure it didn't spread. Long story short of that day when I finally made it in the operating room, I woke up and it was dark. What was supposed to be a 2-2.5 hour surgery was nearly 6! My surgeon let me know that I had complications and the cancer had spread, and that they would discuss treatment options. Since that time with a nurse at my home and going back and forth to the hospital, I was trying to heal. I nearly lost my eyesight that required preventative treatment measures, I was nauseous all of the time, had trouble walking, and I just had no energy whatsoever and was always in bed. There were many times I had to make someone aware that I was getting up, in case I fell or became unconscious again. I would pray so hard as I stumbled and would tremble, just praying I made it back to my bed. My skin broke out in random gushes of blood, it's like someone would just poke me! I have been consistently in the hospital from the times of February-August. Whether it was a hospital stay, something happening or going on with me, or some treatment. I hate to say it, but they always greeted me at the door and I was VIP! Because I was in the hospital so much and with all of the treatments, infusions, and medications I had, my radiation treatments were delayed so it would not counteract. I completed the course of treatment in August and have more testing to undergo.

Just about everytime I would go to the doctor, my heart would break. On the bright side, I believe I am on the mend. We have saved my eyesight (Thank God!), my breast cancer doctor doesn't want to work on me now. Your thoughts and prayers are what have kept sustaining me. Even the smallest gesture like calling me and texting me asking how I am doing, has meant more to me than you know, and I want to let you know that! I was so tired of my body breaking down and being poked at, my body was tired and started to resist. I was thinking if it was my time to go; I was tired of being teased and going through all of that and the stress. I was really preparing myself!

I cry almost everyday, pretty much when I'm by myself or in the car. However, I have made peace with this and worked on my relationship with God a lot over the past year and a half. I have found peace. I want you all to know what you mean to me, even in the smallest way, because it has helped me to get through. Your donations would help me with my treatment and expenses, as well as the organizations that have helped me.

There is no such thing as anything too small, but I do want to let you know how grateful and appreciative I am.

Even if you do not donate, all I ask is that you help spread awareness and give the information that I have given you to help someone else. I thank God they were given to me. I also ask that you spread kindness and empathy. You truly never know what someone is going through, what's going on in their body or their life that's affecting their physical appearance, and how much you can truly help make someone's day. Also, Please get your life insurance, personal and financial affairs in order! I am young, I was full of life and energy and kicking it, then this happened all of a sudden. PLEASE do me a favor and do that for yourself! You just never know!

Between this and losing my Dad last year, amongst other things, I get it. We have lost my Dad, my Grandmother, then my Mom almost lost me! I know my story will help someone and that is why I chose to share it. The scar on my neck is my battle scar. I was insecure at times because of the looks I got from people and being cautious with my healing, but this is my battle scar!!!

With my birthday this year, I am so so so grateful and do not take this for granted. Thank you so much for reading my story and for all of your thoughts, prayers, and anything else that you have given me, even a hug. I also want to let you know that if you are going through something, to not ever give up. Life is beautiful, you have so much to look forward to, and my thoughts and prayers are with you too.

Please watch the video where I explain my story, it's truly crazy and impactful. But it's also God's reminder of His love for me. I can't wait to update you all and let you know that I beat cancer!!!!

With Much Love & Gratitude,

Elissa

Psalm 23:4

"Yeah, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me."

Jeremiah 29:11

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "Plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

"Cancer survivors are....Living people who have conquered cancer...who seem to have been born with a greater awareness of who they are....and appear to be more beautiful because of it" - Curtis Bill Pepper, "We the Victors"