Hi! I've been to this site many times before but only as an observer. My husband Dino (34 years old) was diagnosed with Stage IV nsclc on April 21st. I will never forget the date - it was one day after our daughter's 2nd birthday and 3 weeks after the birth of our son. This whole nightmare actually began the day after my son was born. My husband spent the night on the recliner in my room. The next morning, he woke with a stiff neck. We figured that it was from the uncomfortable chair or the way he had slept. My husband who is a chiropractor turned to adjustments figuring that would help. Unfortunately it didn't. Instead, the pain became increasingly worse and he lost most of the motion in his neck. I finally convinced him to goto the emergency room and after a week of tests we were given the diagnosis lc with mets to his spine. Talk about shocking news! We figured that it was a herniated disc or something pressing on his nerves. Cancer never even crossed our minds. Being a chiropractor, my husband had a healthy lifestyle. Never smoked, never did drugs, didn't take medication (even tylenol, in fact he never had anything in his house until I came around), eats healthy, takes all kinds of supplements to enhance his immune system. Where did this come from? Worse than the diagnosis was the comment from the hospital doctor that my husband had maybe 2-3 years and that she was sorry. Devestating news for two young kids with a newborn baby!
Life since has not been the same. Dino began chemo in the hospital. He had a severe reaction to the first round but has fared much better the last two. Since his initial diagnosis, headaches prompted an MRI of the brain which revealed a single lesion and the oncologist identified enlarged lymph nodes in his neck. It seems that every time we goto a doctor they have bad news. I'm beginning to dread all appoitntments!
I can honestly say that this has been the most difficult time of my life. Three months ago, I thought that this would be a great time in our lives. We would be celebrating the birth of our child and looking forward to watching our family grow. Instead, we are faced with the possibility that my husband may not be here. It pains me when I think that Dino may not see the kids start school, graduate from high school, get married. I can't even imagine my life without him. Everyone tells me to take things one day at a time but it's hard! We have been tryijng to keep things as normal as possible but with chemotherapy, radiation and doctor's appointments it's difficult. Fortunately, we have a lot of familyfriends who have helped with transportation, watching the children and offering support. I can only imagine what it would be like if they were not here to help!
Coming to this site has offered me hope. You are an amazing group of people and the support you give one another is priceless. I only need to look at my two children to see that miracles occur. I pray that miracles find there way to all of our homes.
