Book excerpt: MY PAIN WOKE ME UP BLISS is the fi rst in a three-book series of a fi ctionalized account of true story, focused on survivorship. Th e book details the knockdown punches life throws Jean's way, what it took to get back up off the mat, and how these diffi cult challenges resulted in a stronger, more courageous and confi dent individual. It is a story of inspiration, passion, perseverance, persistence and the promise to survive. Jean recounts her experiences from the blissful days with her fi rst true love, to becoming a widow in her twenties, to fi nding love again and having the children of her dreams, to the heartbreak of a failing marriage and diagnosis of breast cancer. My Pain Woke Me Up- Bliss discusses the painful journey Jean experienced during her battle with breast cancer- --from bilateral lumpectomy with radiation, to bilateral mastectomy with reconstructive surgery (four times), the onset of MRSA bacterial infection followed by a breast cellulitis infection, to her road to recovery and the pursuit of happiness. Her determination to help raise awareness and fi nd a cure to end breast cancer forever grew stronger as her pain woke her up JEAN CRISS With more than twenty-fi ve years' experience, JEAN CRISS is an entrepreneur in the digital media industry, recognized for her sales and marketing innovation. Before the launch of Jean Criss Media, LLC, Jean gained her high-tech and digital media expertise as a leader in the Midwest and Northeast markets for various technology and publishing companies. Her ability to develop strong relationships over the years yielded over $100 million in computer hardware, software, service, and media sales. Jean served on the Board of Trustees of the North Jersey Affi liate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure(r) from 2008 - 2011, and she helped raise over $15 million for the Affi liate's grant programs since 2007. During her term with Komen, Jean co-produced various PSA campaigns including Komen's fi rst Race for the Cure(r) PSA featuring Grammy-award winning artist, Gloria Gaynor, and former Fox 5 medical correspondent, Dr. Sapna Parikh. Net proceeds from My Pain Woke Me Up- - Bliss will benefi t both Susan G. Komen for the Cure(r) and the Joe Torre Safe at Home(r) Foundation. Jean is the single mother of two teenagers and resides in northern New Jersey. Bliss was also designed and selfpublished by the author, Jean Cri