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dtrakas

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Everything posted by dtrakas

  1. No this will be my first time attending the summitt. I did the Breath Deep walk here in Tampa last year and will again this year. Thank you both for welcoming.
  2. I am not sure I have ever introduced myself officially on here. I am a 39y/o female who has been married for 17 years and has 3 children (20, 9 and 6) and one grandchild (2). I was diagnosed with stage IV adenocarcinoma in August of 2013 after going into heart failure. What a surprise it was to me for sure. My physician thought I had bronchitis, then after a few weeks of the "cough" not going away, I finally became so weak and spiked a fever and had severe stomach pains it took me to the hospital where they had to do an emergency drainage on my heart. Long story short, there it was stage IV lung cancer that had spread to the fluid around my heart and lungs, adrenal gland and lymphatic system. For a few weeks I threw in the towel. I didn't know what to do or think. I felt like I was dying. But slowly and surely, I had the fluid drained off my lung and started my treatment here at Moffit Cancer Center in Tampa Florida where I live and am now back to working full time, taking care of my family full time and feeling pretty good, on most days. There are some that I feel like just giving up but I dig deep and pick myself back up. The problem I have besides the obvious, is finding enough time to do everything I want to do. Who knows if I will be here in 1 month or 20 years. I like to work, the people there are like my family as well. It keeps me going and makes me feel "normal". ON the flipside, I would love to volunteer and help others and just get the word out there. Lung cancer is the number one cause of death among cancers yet it doesn't get nearly enough recognition and has such a stigma behind it. You know the one where you hear people whisper....well that is what happens when you smoke. Needless to say they "assume" and don't realize that a lot of people with lung cancer have never picked up a cigarette in their life. Frustrates me. Lungevity is such a wonderful community. I recently did the Breath Deep walk in Tampa and am going to the Hope Summit in DC in May. I am so excited to finally at least be able to part of something. This is just the beginning of long journey. Who knows how long we have in this life but you know what, you might as well make the most of each day! I am making a promise to myself to at least check these message boards once a day at the least to maybe help someone that needs to talk to someone or advise or anything. Thank you LUngevity for your time and comfort and everything you do for us!
  3. So I had no tattoos at all. I decided I was going to get one to commemorate lung cancer. The ribbon is the lung cancer ribbon wrapped into an infinity symbol, purple swirlies to represent all cancers, then each of my stars represents one of my children.
  4. Hi there! I am a 39y/o female mom and wife with stage IV lung cancer. diagnosed in August 2013. You should speak to my husband! He/we are going through the same thing. I am currently doing chemo and am on pain medication. I am a ball of mood swings and for some reason I take it out on him.....ALOT! As someone living with this awful disease, there is so much running through our heads that it is hard to stay on one page throughout the day so to speak. My husband is constantly asking me too that same question about making your girlfriend happy and comfortable etc. In reality, there is nothing you can do except be with her and be caring as you seem like you are. Men like you and my husband are a dying breed these days. I mean I literally scream at him over something stupid and it really has nothing to do with the situation but the feeling I have inside that just happens to come out at the moment. I understand her not wanting anyone to know or talk about it. Everyone I know knows, but I don't talk to anyone about how I am really feeling. one because I sometimes don't really know myself, and two because I feel like I don't want to burden anyone. You are doing the most important thing right now for her....just being there. It is impressive that you guys have been together for the short time you have and you are still there. kudos to you! As for her, if she is not comfortable "talking" just let her be. She has to deal with it the way she knows or can deal with it. Be strong for her and you as well. I wish you both luck and if you need anything there is always someone to listen.
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