Two Lucky Duck's

As the holidays approach I often am reminded of how blessed I am to even be here. I think it’s important for everyone to really stop and think about everything that we are THANKFUL for. A lot of times I find myself complaining about what I don’t have…. I need a new car; I would like a new house, new clothes, shoes… ect…. But I often miss the big picture… I think a lot of us miss the big picture. I am so blessed and should constantly be incredibly thankful that I am even alive. I think it’s important to remember everything that we do have and everything that we should be thankful for! It’s easy to complain about what we don’t have or what we would like… but during the holidays lets all try to do a better job of realizing our blessings and being thankful for everything we have. Spend time with your families and friends, eat lots of food, enjoy the laughter, enjoy the stories, enjoy time with family that you don’t often see, take in those moments because you never when they will be cut

Today is a special day… Today is a special day for lung cancer survivors, family members, and advocates. It’s the start of Lung Cancer Awareness Month!! Although it’s hard to follow in the footsteps of breast cancer awareness month, I am grateful that we even have a month. I have already started to get busy with lung cancer awareness and advocacy and I hope anyone who reads this will start to get busy also. A few weeks ago I was blessed with the opportunity to fly to NYC with Robert. (my boyfriend for those of you who don’t know) It was Robert’s first time ever flying so it was an experience in itself. As if, flying wasn’t a big enough experience. The city is HUGE and very crowded!! The reason for the trip was to speak at a walk held by the LUNGevity Foundation. A young girl named Stacey contacted me this summer about possibly speaking at the walk that they hold in Battery Park. It was a beautiful day and I was honored to be able to speak and learn about a really great organization

For Nannie… First off I want to apologize for my terrible grammar and sometimes spelling… this blog is intended for me to share my stories, vent, be emotional, and passionate. So sometimes when I get writing all grammar goes out the window and I just write. I hope I don’t offend anyone or upset anyone but at times I will come across blunt and harsh… However…the truth is… the lung cancer world is harsh and blunt and not fair! So when I write it might come across that way. My Nannie was one of the most amazing women I have ever met. If there was a beautiful woman in this world it was her. She was so beautiful, her hair was platinum blonde and I don’t think I ever caught her without lipstick on at least. She would pin her hair up before she went to bed every night and her outfits always were classy and coordinated. She loved clothes and fashion. Her faith was impressive… something I yearn to have every day. She had such a positive outlook on life and not a care in the world. And

To whom it may concern: I feel funny writing that… because it seems as though almost no one is actually really and truthfully concerned with Lung Cancer besides people who are diagnosed, family members, caregivers, a small group of advocates, and the doctors and nurses who actually treat lung cancer on a daily basis. Sad right? In my book yes! See the truth is….Lung Cancer kills more people than breast, prostate, colon, pancreatic, and liver cancers COMBINED… Yet, it is the least funded of all of all major cancer. This is unacceptable and I will not let it hold me down anymore. Lung Cancer is the number 1 cancer killer of men and women in this nation. Believe it or not it’s not breast for women… and it’s not prostate for men. While I would never sit here and argue that one cancer type is better than another I will bring up a very shocking fact… Breast cancer has an 85% five year survival rate! That’s amazing and shows how much progress they have made in science for breast cancer resea