In some ways she is the same person as she was before she was diagnosed - peppy, upbeat and passionate about sports, but now she says, " It may sound corny, but I really do have a greater appreciation for all the little things in life."
Michelle grew up the middle child of three girls in Michigan and spent her youth outdoors and always active. She sailed competitively, hiked sand dunes in the summer and climbed icy mountains in the winter. She has been fanatical about sports ever since she can remember. "Maybe I was the boy my father never had," she says, "To this day, I shed tears over college and pro football and NCAA basketball tournaments."
Michelle met her husband, John, in the 7th grade. "We dated in high school, went separate ways in college then got back together after college. I was living in Colorado and didn't really know anyone and he was living in Ireland and didn't really know anyone there, so we kept in touch through weekly letters. Through these letters, we really got to know and love each other. When he came back to the states, we got married and he moved out to Colorado. There is no one I would rather spend time with and my favorite thing in the world is just to hang out with him alone, which is pretty amazing considering we've known each other almost thirty years."
Although Michelle considers herself essentially a stay at home mom, her PR and marketing firm is thriving, currently she handles Tiffany and Co. for the Rocky Mountain region. When she's not watching sports, she's participating in them. And squeezed somewhere between all of this, she manages to donate her time and PR skills to numerous charities and organizations. "I'm just a busy mom," she says, "and very, very happy."
Favorite Clothing Stores: Saks Fifth Avenue, the Garment District, Limeade and Max.
What gives a woman/man style? Self-confidence, good posture and great shoes.
Favorite Restaurant: Vesta Dipping Grill, Sushi Den and Blue Bonnet and Bonnie Brae Pizza with my kids.
Which social event is your favorite? Girl's Night out, for Girls, Inc.
What are your volunteer activities? I'm on the board of the Cherry Creek School Foundation and volunteer at my kids' three different schools: Kent Denver School, Colorado Academy and Cherry Hills Village Elementary. I'm also involved with AWARE and the Children's Diabetes Foundation.
Who is your hero? Why? My dad, because he's extremely smart, very kind and a man of integrity and in 43 years, I've never heard him say a bad word about anyone. He's just a great, gentle, wonderful man.
If your life were a movie, who would play your part? Ali McGraw, or my sister.
Saturday nights are most likely to find you: On a date with my husband. My ideal date is a 5:00 o'clock movie, followed by dinner someplace where they have great martinis.
Do you have any Pets? Unfortunately, no.
When you move, what will your home tell its next owner, about you? That I have three kids.
What one word describes you best? Energetic.
What words would you like others to use to describe you? Kind and fair.
What was your first job? Selling preppy clothes in a preppy clothing store in Michigan called The Yankee Peddler, at age 18.
What word or expression do you use too much? Um, or Hey.
If there were one thing you would change about yourself, what would it be? That I don't know how to relax very well, I'd relax more.
What is your greatest indulgence? I've been weight training for 15 years and now, once a week, I work out with a personal trainer, and that is a huge indulgence for me.
What is the best gift you have ever received? My six-year old daughter.
What or who is the greatest love of your life? My husband and children.
Which talent would you most like to have? I'd love to be a fabulous musician - a pianist.
What is your current state of mind? Serene
What do you consider your greatest achievement? Being a good wife/mother and friend.
What is your most treasured possession? My health.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue? Beauty, because as we grow older it fades and it's really all about what's inside that matters.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery? Jealousy.
What is the quality you most like in a man? Sensitivity.
What is the quality you most like in a woman? Honesty.
Do you have any your favorite books? The Red Tent, Pope Joan and 1,000 White Women.
What is the best advice you have ever received? My mother, who told me, "If you can't say anything nice about someone, don't ay anything at all." I really try to follow that.
What is your greatest regret? That I didn't go on for my Ph.D. before I started a family.
What is your favorite quote? From Anna Quindlen, in her book, A Short Guide to a Happy Life, "Exhaust the little moment, soon it dies and be it gash or gold, it will not come again in this identical disguise."
