rinksgal

I'm glad there is still people here that remember us! I remember too well how important it is to hear the suvivor testimonials! It gives us hope and everyone needs hope and a positive outlook! My husband refused to change his life because of his cancer, he continue d his routines and even drank his beer at night until the radiation made his throat to sore and then he switched to wine. Even when he was too weak he still went to all of his sons football games. Lots of time it was against what I thought was best for him, I was able to talk him into wearing a mask which wasnt easy. I think in some ways his cancer was harder on me if thats possible, I was so worried about losing him that I couldnt even enjoy the little time I thought we had left. Someone sent me an email from this site calling me out on it, in a way that it made me open my eyes and realize I was wasting valuable time and I didnt even realize that I was doing that. I printed her email out and read it all the time and it made me quit focusing on the negative and truely live the life we still had. I was behaving as if he was already gone. I just couldnt see past the gloom that comes with this horrible disease. I was letting it ruin the time we still had! I will always be grateful to that person that opened my eyes to that . I know I still have that letter somewhere. I know I don't come on this site much, but it was my life line and almost my only support system! This site truely kept my sanity! Thank you so much for being here when people have no where else to turn! My love, thoughts and prayers are with all of you! Christy

TS, , Thanks! I will say a special prayer for you and your family! Just don't ever give up! I didn't think my husband had a chance but he beat the odds and so can you and others! CHRISTY

Kasey, Thanks for the toast! I am so glad to see you are a suvivor also.. I hope and pray for your continued Good Health! Like my husband says even though he has aches and pains from getting older, at least he is getting older! We now have one 3 year old grandson and his daughter is expecting another baby in Nov. 2011. They live with us. Our grandson Kyler is such a joy to my husband and I. I will look for your pm... Christy

Hello, some of you might remember me, others I'm sure don't know me. I just wanted to let every one know that my husband is still cancer free. He was a stage 3B back in 2003. This website really was my life line in keeping my sanity and gave me soo much support and education on LC.. Darrell has been released now and they aren't even doing CT Scans anymore. This kind of makes us nervous but they will do one anytime he feels the need for one. They said no reason for him to get anymore radiation than he already has had. They consider him cured.. but it is always in the back of our minds.. but we live our life now to the fullest! My only advice is ask, ask and ask.. always know what is going on and what your options are and to KEEP A POSITIVE MIND! I know at times that is almost impossible to do, but I believe it helps. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you that are battling cancer or have a loved one with it. Stay Strong!! Love to all of you that helped me through my horrible time and gave me the truth and support that I needed to help get my husband and myself through it. I will always be so grateful! Christy Rinker

I don't know how many remember my husband. His name is Darrell Rinker.. Well he is a cancer suvivor.. I don't know for sure if 5 years is a cure or not. I remember early on reading or hearing that somewhere.. Well at that time him and I were not married but now we have been married 4 years.. and he will be cancer free as of October 2008 five years.. We have been together 10 years in March... I truely believe my husband being alive almost 5 years later is a miracle.. He will be cancer free 5 years in Oct... He was staged a 3 B and I truely believe in prayer and miracles.... and I believe in a possitive attitude too! I have stood by his side through so much and I really truely didn't think he would still be here.. but he has almost made it to 5 years and his last treatments was 5 years ago.. with no signs of cancer of any kind in his body.. For some reason God has spared his life and he is still with me.. I thank God everyday for his life and for his gift that he has given me.. This is the first year that he went a year with out any testing.. and it really worried both of us.. but hes clean once again! I feel so lucky to have him by my side everyday! God has blessed my life with this man and has allowed him to stay with me. I pray to God everyday that he has been cured and I thank him for what he has given us.. Darrell is everything to me and my main goal in life was to help him live and to do whatever I could do to see that this happened.. I've heard a cure is 5 years but I don't think we will ever let our guards down and feel totally safe.. I think it will always be in our minds and worries.. No matter what God has given me 5 more years with this man and I am so very thankful for that!! I hope and pray for all of you that is sturggling and feel that its hopeless...but don't give up because my husband is living proof that there is always hope.. If my husband has made it this far so can you! So just keep a positive attitude and never give up because we never know what Gods plan is for us and our loved ones! I wish all of you the very best of luck and my prayers will always be with all of you that are going through this horrible battle with Lung Cancer.. You can beat this.. Just don't give up!! Our first grandson was born in April and its a miracle that Darrell is here to love and know him.. His name is Kyler.. Hes such a blessing in our lives!! My prayers are with all of you!! Love To All Of You!! Rinksgal (Christy (Reese) Rinker

I don't know how many remember my husband. His name is Darrell Rinker.. Well he is a cancer suvivor.. I don't know for sure if 5 years is a cure or not. I remember early on reading or hearing that somewhere.. Well at that time him and I were not married but now we have been married 4 years.. and he will be cancer free as of October 2008 five years.. We have been together 10 years in March... I truely believe my husband being alive almost 5 years later is a miracle.. He will be cancer free 5 years in Oct... He was staged a 3 B and I truely believe in prayer and miracles.... and I believe in a possitive attitude too! I have stood by his side through so much and I really truely didn't think he would still be here.. but he has almost made it to 5 years and his last treatments was 5 years ago.. with no signs of cancer of any kind in his body.. For some reason God has spared his life and he is still with me.. I thank God everyday for his life and for his gift that he has given me.. This is the first year that he went a year with out any testing.. and it really worried both of us.. but hes clean once again! I feel so lucky to have him by my side everyday! God has blessed my life with this man and has allowed him to stay with me. I pray to God everyday that he has been cured and I thank him for what he has given us.. Darrell is everything to me and my main goal in life was to help him live and to do whatever I could do to see that this happened.. I've heard a cure is 5 years but I don't think we will ever let our guards down and feel totally safe.. I think it will always be in our minds and worries.. No matter what God has given me 5 more years with this man and I am so very thankful for that!! I hope and pray for all of you that is sturggling and feel that its hopeless...but don't give up because my husband is living proof that there is always hope.. If my husband has made it this far so can you! So just keep a positive attitude and never give up because we never know what Gods plan is for us and our loved ones! I wish all of you the very best of luck and my prayers will always be with all of you that are going through this horrible battle with Lung Cancer.. You can beat this.. Just don't give up!! Our first grandson was born in April and its a miracle that Darrell is here to love and know him.. His name is Kyler.. Hes such a blessing in our lives!! My prayers are with all of you!! Love To All Of You!! Rinksgal (Christy (Reese) Rinker

Thanks for all of the well wishing for Darrell. Don Wood I do remember you and your wife. I'm glad to see things are still going well for you and your wife. I wish all of you the best of luck. I just thought is was time for a new update. Darrell has been doing so good!! Hope all of you had a nice memorial weekend!!

I just wanted to come in here and post a update for Darrell my husband. Some of you might remember us. He was dx soon after his 50th birthday in May, 2003. I'm posting this in hopes that this will give some of you that are going through the worse time of your life, some hope. Darrell is still in remission. He has come so very far and we thank God everyday that he has been in remission now for over 2 1/2 years. We might be a long way yet from that 5 year mark, but we've learned to live for today and not to worry about tomorrow! Which is hard to do after battling lung cancer! You tend to live ct scan to ct scan! We still both get grumpy and moody when a new ct scan is approaching. I doubt that will ever change. Darrell took a medical retirement and is enjoying each and everyday. He now does all of our cooking, dishes and took over my garden! Life couldn't be better for now! There was a time that I didn't think he would be here 6 months from now. Especially after they changed his dx to a stage 3b. This forum helped me personally get through the worse time in my life! I want to thank all of you for your support and love through out our journey. I quit coming to this site, because I couldn't look ahead. I was so stuck in the what if's, that I couldn't move forward and enjoy life. I so wish all of you that are dealing with this terrible disease the best of luck and I say prayers for all of you each day! I think of this site so often!! I want to thank the people that has made this site what it is, for giving people somewhere to go when they need so much support. You truely helped me!! thanks! Just don't give up and always know there is hope!! Love and Prayers to all of you!! Christy and Darrell (rinksgal)

That is one of things that amazes me about this site. Everyone is so caring and so kind and supportive!! I miss being here, but between working and just spending time with him, I hardly ever get on my computer anymore. I just have him look things up for me if I need something.. Hes watching Jag right now, his favorite show! I think its on 3 times a day! blaah! but oh well.. I just want to thank everyone for being there always!!! Everyone on this site is so great!! I would reccomend it to anyone that needed it! It is really a great support system! I will try to visit more often. Good luck to everyone! love and many prayers! Christy

I am so sorry its been so long since I even looked at this site. I just have a hard time coming here and living our life for now. I have to be a certain way for Darrell and i can't be if I come here... I loved this site so much, and I also need it, but I have to be with Darrell and make good use of our time, however long God will allow that to be... I feel so bad now reading some post.. and Norme I have thought about you so much.. I'm so very sorry that you are sad and you are having such a rough time, I can't even imagine losing darrell, and we've only be together for 6 years. I feel as though I would die inside... So I can't relate to how you must feel... I'm just so very sorry and wish I had something good and smart to say to you... Just know I think about you still, you say only 7 months. that is so long when you consider how long you had your Buddy! Be glad you had so many years of love, most people only dream of that.. I'm sure hes looking down on you and still loving you... Sorry Norme.. I'm sure I haven't said the right things but I still love you.. Christy

I'm so sorry, I've been away for a long time. I didn't know about your loss of your dad and to read that now you have to watch your sister go through cancer too, I'm sooooo veryyy sorry!! I don't know what else to say. I can't believe its been a year since you lost your mom..I am truely sorry. I have no words of strenghten for you.. I wish I did...Just know I have never stopped thinking about you... Christy

Sorry to all, but I've been absent from the site for a long time... I need to be in order to survive this for now... Selfish I know, but I have to be what I have to be for him.. and I'm sorry to say I can't be here and be there for Darrell.. We got married June 14th in Panama City, Florida... Things have been really good, at times I can almost forget hes had or has cancer. Hes been cancer free for 7 months now and I pray it continues. Only God knows!! Darrell expects it to come back, I pray that it won't, but deep inside I don't know... Sorry its been so long, I've totally avoided this site, I'm hardly even on the computer now days.. maybe twice a week to check email.. I don't even know whats going on with everyone.. I'm scared to even look. It scares me so! I know whats probably ahead, but I hope we have more time....Darrell gets a new ct scan Oct 4th and we find out results Oct. 7th... I hate to even ask I feel like such a trader, but say a prayer that all is well...I still love ya all and feel for everyone that faces this disease but I have to handle it in the way that I can deal with it... I think about you Norme and wonder how you are doing.. I'm sorry I haven't been in contact....and I also think about shelliemac... shes one of the first to talk to me.. I just read a post from her and I'm so sorry I didn't know you lost your dad, and to think about what your going through now with your sister... I am so very sorry Shelliemac!!! how selfish I've been... Love and prayers to you all! Christy

Congratulations!!! Great news!! After Darrell got cancer I too quit smoking my year mark is June 10th!!! Christy

Don and Lucie, I'm so Happy for you!! What great News!! I think of you guys often!! ENJOY SCOTLAND!!!! Love and Prayers Christy

Dave and Karen!! That is such great news!!! Christy

Angie thanks for letting us know about shelli and her dad.. I am hardly ever on these days, and one of the post I was looking for was about Shellie. I was wondering how things were going. Shellie if you read this my thoughts and prayers are with you!! You and your family have been through so much...Life can be so unfair! Hang in there!! I will pray for you Dad!! Love and Prayers Christy

First I want to apoligize for not posting sooner...I haven't been on my computer for 2 weeks.. Anyways Darrell's ct scan was still the same, totally clean for now. Cancer free... What a great word!!! But of course they still want you to know it could grow at anytime! They give ya good news and end it with a sour note in my opinion.. But for now we are content with living 2 months at a time!! We now try to live for today!! I have 5 for days of work left and then we are off to Florida for 2 weeks. and then I will enjoy the rest of my summer at home with Darrell and little Rink (the dog) doing whatever we want!!! Thanks for all the prayers!!! I never ever thought it was even possible for him to ever be cancer free!! A year ago I didn't even think he'd be alive at this time or get to see his son graduate from HS... But this just goes to show "Don't ever give up hope" These days I just pray to God for more time to spend with Darrell!!! I don't ask for years, just "more"... Hopefully when we get back from Florida I can get updated on so many of you... I've read a few post, t-bones, snowflakes? (pregnant) I was so confused... I wish all of you the best!! Christy

This is why I can't get on this site. So many loved ones we have all come to know! They die.. and I cry my eyes out.. I can't handle this. I just know this is the out come that will be for My Darrell and I can't handle this.. I'm so sorry for all of you! Is God even listening to our prayers? Can someone answer this?? Why? Why do we all have to lose our loved ones to this damn disease!!! I can't handle this!! You can't tell me they don't know more!! Its just a damn money making scheme to them.. They don't care about our loved ones.. Or there would be a cure!! For all cancer!! Sorry! Christy

I am so very sorry I hate this disease!! My prayers are with her daughter and all of her family!! May God be with us all. Christy

Darrell and I just got back from florida from a 12 day vacation.. Life was great!! No kids, no work, no chores and no worries for a short time.. The last night of vacation he had night sweats again and soaked 2 shirts.. I personally have done nothing but worry since.. He keeps saying hes fine.. I make him take his temperature... Which so far when he has active cancer growing in his body.. He runs a fever... In March. they said hes in remission.. Whatever the hell that is... They say it means no "visible" cancer in his body that they can see at this time.. Vacation was great, and I'm so glad hes had some good times... He wanted to see the ocean again and to see a couple of good friends and where they lived.. We did...The worry never stops no matter what the doctors say.. I can't help but feel in my heart that that damn cancer is there lurking some where close... Saturday is Darrells 51st birthday.. I didn't even think he'd be here..I have a party planned,which means lots of work and cleaning being we just got back from vacation.. I love him so much...I'm sorry to all of you that I haven't been able to be there for all of you.. I promise one day I will.. I haven't even checked my own email for 3 weeks... My kids problably think I forgot them...My life is so strained! I love all of you and would love to take more time for this site, but I just don't have the time right now.... I know I'm talking in riddles and I'm not making much sense... Sorry! I just wanted to let everyone know I think of all of you and this horrible disease daily... I haven't even been able to read others post for a while.. I promise to soon!! Love to all of you that is dealing with this disease!! Cancer sucks!! I love you all! Christy p.s. I plan to post a picture of Darrell and I on Vacation when I have the time...

Luvmydog2 sent me an email a couple of day agowanting to know if things were ok, she said she knew I hadn't posted in a while, and I just wanted to let everyone know what is up with Me and Darrell.. This is what I wrote to her... I hope she doesn't mind me just copying and pasting this.. "I really appreciate your concern. I haven't forgotten about all of you. Darrell has been feeling really good and he almost appears to be normal, even though we both know he's not. At times he says he knows he's dying. But in other breaths he likes to think the cancer is gone and hes fine even though we know its not gone. Well the only way I can pretend and feel like he's normal is to not be on this site alot... I do come here and I do read deaths (lord forbid) and I do browse some, but if I spend too much time on here I can't be what Darrell Needs me to be right now... He NEEDS to feel normal and full of life and he needs to feel that he can recover from this horrible disease and I come here alot,but I just haven't been posting. I don't feel like I deserve to post right now, because I can't respond to so many that need it, only a few post here and there. I get too depressed and I can't be what he needs me to be.. Does this make any sense at all??? I love this man and I need to be his strenthen even though I don't feel it inside of me and deep down he doesn't either...he gets a new ct scan March 8th and we go back to the oncologist March 11th.. This to me is a big ct scan. It will tell alot of where he is at in this horrible disease. I feel like I'm letting so many down by not posting and responding, I feel that when and IF he gets bad again I will be on here alot, but in some ways that seems selfish... I truely want to help everyone and give advice, but the computer takes so much time, time that I need with him. I hardly talk to anyone, I work and I do what needs done here on farm, and the rest of my time is spent with him, time I know from reading others posts that I will never be able to get back... I have to be with him while he feels good... I could use extra money, but I won't do overtime at work, because I figure I can do it later, I get by for now.. If this disease takes him then I will throw myself into my work... Not now.. This is our time and I've learned from this site that it can be over before we blind our eye!! So I hope everyone knows I think of them all the time and I do try to read alot of post, but I don't post for now.. Pray for a good ct scan...Thank Luvmydog2 for asking me where I've been... I will try to keep everyone posted.... I am so sorrry for the ones that have lost their loved ones, I can't even begin to imagine that I could survive this if I lost Darrell!!" Christy I hope everyone knows I think of them constantly......I wish there was more hours in a day!! Pray for his new ct scan March 8th to stable. We won't find out until March 11th.. p.s. Also I've had some problems myself, but everything is ok.. I had to test and they found 3 poplups, and removed them, but she doesn't think theres any worry for that awful word cancer. and some erosions going on in my esophagsus and stomach,she biopsied the poplups and stomache erosions,she says a bacteria could cause the erosions, which the surgeon that did both test put me on medicine for this. Also my mother called me tonight at 8pm she lives in Indiana, One of my brothers house caught fire and its a total loss... Thank god him and his wife and 3 kids are fine. They did lose 10-3week old golden retriever pups. The only things that were saved, was a big screen tv and one of his daughters was able to get her clothes out..Her bedroom was down stairs, guess the fire started in the walls upstairs... It breaks my heart for him, but I"m just glad they weren't hurt badly.. My brothers wife got a few burns and hair and brows burnt trying to save the puppies that was upstairs, but thats where the fire started in the walls... I will try to post more when I have time.. My prayers are with each and everyone one of you Daily!! Love Christy

Howard. My prayers are with you. I wish you the best Christy

Becky. I'm wishing you good luck, keep us posted on what you find out. Prayers to you! Christy

Norme, I am so very sorry!! I just don't know what to say!! I actually sobbed when I read My Buddy is Gone. I'm still crying! It just breaks my heart!! You have always been so good to me and have always gave me much comfort when I needed it, but yet you've never tried to sugar coat things for me either, and I appreciate that! I'm just so very sorry your Buddy is gone!! I have no words to help you through this, just know that my prayers and love is with you and your family!! I am so sorry!!!! Love and Prayers!!! Christy

Oh My God I can't believe Gregg is gone. I only chatted in the chat room twice, and He was one of the ones that I talked to. I can 't believe he is gone. I pray that he is in peace now and that God will help his kids and family get through this horrible time. I hate Cancer so bad!! I just can't believe how this disease destroys everyones life. I'm so scared that Darrells life will have the same ending! But I refuse to let him die at this time! Gregg if you can read this, just know I appreciate every bit of support you gave me!! You will be missed by everyone on this board that got to know you!! Christy