I love reading stories with happy endings. Today's inspiration comes from Massachusetts resident Sharon Dest Pacenka, sharing her story with The Daily News in Newburyport, Mass. It's been five years of living cancer-free.

The Merrimac resident and mother of two was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003. That year, she endured surgery, 18 weeks of chemotherapy and six weeks of radiation.

She discovered the tumor through a self-exam. The diagnosis came as a surprise; there was no family history of breast cancer. "It never occurred to me that this would happen to me," she said.

She credits her family for always being there for her.