COEUR d'ALENE - There were times when Michele Morgan didn't know if she was going to live.

But tonight the two-time cancer survivor will graduate with a degree from North Idaho College's highly-regarded nursing program.

"Looking back, I don't think I saw myself here today ... probably a lot of other people didn't either," the 2006 Lakeland High graduate said.

Morgan was 8 in 1996 when she was first diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) before beating it with treatments. She was then diagnosed in 2003 with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a cancer that starts inside bone marrow that required a transplant.

Looking back, Morgan, 23, said the bouts with cancer forced her to grow up fast.

"I didn't go through high school drinking or driving cars fast," she said. "When you're in high school, barely making it, not going to school and everything is online, it changes you.

"In my case, it forced me to grow up."

After a year of attending NIC, but not zeroed in on a career, Morgan settled on nursing. Her experience of being a patient in hospitals guided her in that direction.

"I had several nurses who cared for me over several years that I looked up to, and some will be coming to my graduation," she said. "They got me to where I am today. I am really excited to join the profession."

Morgan is currently looking for a job, but would like to stay in this area and preferably keep living in North Idaho. If the search comes up empty, she may return to school, possibly at Lewis-Clark State College, next fall to seek a four-year degree.

However, she admits she needs a break from school after completing NIC's rigorous program.

"I need a brain break," she said. " I haven't read a novel in like three years. I'd like to experience coming home from a job, sit on the couch and not have to study."

What made the nursing program especially challenging for Morgan is that the chemotherapy affected her memory.

"I finished high school without any problems, but that was high school," she said.

Success with difficult college classes early on gave her the courage to forge ahead.

"I definitely put my time in," she said.

Kylie McIlroy, who has been friends with Morgan since the third grade and is Morgan's roommate in Coeur d'Alene, said watching Morgan pull through has been an inspiration. McIlroy said Morgan has made a lot of sacrifices socially to obtain her degree.

"She gives so many other people strength," McIlroy said. "She has shown me how strong I can be. She has worked so hard to get where she's at. It's been an incredible experience watching her. I'm so proud of her."

Mike Morgan is Michele's proud father.

"At one point, we never knew if she was going to survive," he said. "It's a huge milestone. She buckled down and gave it her all. It shows."

Molly Walker, who has been a nursing classmate of Morgan's at NIC, said Morgan wouldn't take "no" for an answer.

"There were times when she physically and emotionally struggled, but she's really strong," Walker said. "I couldn't complain when I looked at her. She's so wise beyond her years, and she's always upbeat and positive."

Today Morgan, the girl that classmates shaved their heads on behalf of several years ago, is a study patient at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. Her bone marrow transplant didn't take, but she still rebounded and is doing well.

Morgan's experience is a testimony that people can overcome hurdles with a "can do" drive.

"The doctors would be the first ones to say my feisty attitude is why I'm still here," she said. "You've got to keep fighting."