Next Event: Checked Get Fit

Growing up it was my dream to play soccer in college. I got that chance when Coach Rob Donnenwirth asked if I would like to come to ECU to play soccer.  When I got to ECU, I bonded with my teammates, loved my classes, and met some really awesome friends. The only problem was that I wasn’t performing at the level that I needed to on the field. I failed fitness test after fitness test and I was constantly physically exhausted. I had numbness and tingling in my toes and was having some trouble breathing when I exerted myself at a high level.  Other than those little symptoms, I felt great!

After several failed attempts to pass fitness test and always being tired we came to the decision that it might be a good time to run some medical test to see if we would figure out what was wrong. They found nothing. I convinced myself to think that I was just burnt out from the game.   After a year of frustration and complications I made the hardest decision of my life to stop playing soccer. I still had the same symptoms from before when I was exercising but not at the level it had been.

Two years later, in October of 2007, I presented to the emergency room with complaints of a lower abdomen pain where I thought my appendix was rupturing or having cramps but my sister insisted that female cramps were not that bad. They took me in and did a CT scan of my abdomen and my lungs showed up on the scan.
They told me that my ovaries did have some small cyst on them but that they thought that they were fine, but wanted to inform me that I had about a 3cm mass on my left lung. My heart sank!! Lung cancer runs in my family, but surely I did not have lung cancer or a tumor. I was 21 years old and a former college athlete and NEVER smoker.
After the night at the hospital I went home. The next two weeks we spent in doctors’ offices all over the state trying to see what this mass really was. No doctor thought it was possible for it to be lung cancer. After several test I finally got my answer when meeting with a surgeon. That doctor’s appointment was when I went into shock. He walked into my room and said Taylor I hear you have lung cancer. I freaked out¦ no one had said the word lung cancer yet because no one was sure.
My doctor told me that the mass was pretty large but that it was going to have to come out, but he felt comfortable that he would be able to do the small incision and get it all out. The only problem was that I was really sick.  After the first bronchoscope I developed really bad pneumonia, basically to the point that I could not walk. So we had to wait to have my surgery until I could pass a breathing test to prove that my lungs could handle the surgery.  I finally got well enough to have the surgery. On November 14, 2007, I had a VATS pneumonectomy.
After the surgery I was a mess. The chest tube was HORRIBLE!!!! I was in the ICU for 2 days and then moved to a step down unit. I had the chest tube in for about five days! They made me walk around the halls and I HATED it. It was so miserable.
I went home the day before thanksgiving, and went back to college after the New Year.  It was hard going back to school because all my friends really did not understand. It was hard for them also, because on the outside I did not look like I was sick, I looked like the normal Taylor Bell. But on the inside I was in a lot of pain.
It was also hard because it’s kind of an emotional roller coaster. I looked fine but I had just had a MAJOR surgery. I wanted to go on spring break, but I was nowhere well enough to go.  It was depressing.  I wanted to be like everyone else and have a good time, but I knew deep down my body could not handle it.
Spring break week was probably when the fact that I had lung cancer hit me. The months before it all happened so fast I did not even think about it¦ it went from diagnoses, to surgery, to recovery, to class starting. One thing after another with really no time to think about what I was going through.
I was a mess that week. I did not want my parents or my friends to see that I was upset. I think the hardest part was that I looked fine. I did not lose my hair I did not have a big scars¦ I looked normal.  I was still in a lot of pain, and I was so upset that I could not be with everyone. Cancer is kind of strange because you have a lot of thoughts that go through your head. You think a lot about it. Or what did I do to deserve this. Spring break week I thought a lot about it and that’s when I realized this happened to me because I am a strong enough person to handle it.  I made it through and I am ALIVE and that’s when I realized I HAVE to do something to speak up for everyone who has lost their life.
I now do as much public speaking and advocacy about lung cancer as I possibly can.  I am a member of Jillian’s Legacy which is an organization that was formed in honor of Jillian Costello who like me was a division 1 college athlete who was diagnosed with lung cancer at the age of 21. Jill fought with such grace and determination. When she passed away a group of friends decided that we needed to do something in her honor. She did not just want to beat lung cancer for herself but her goal was to beat lung cancer for everyone.

I think one of the greatest obstacles with lung cancer is getting people to break the stigma. Every time I say that I had lung cancer the first words I hear are Oh you smoked?”  Well no actually I have not, and I have never been around second hand smoke either. Then their next question is a oh it must run in your family then and then my answer is well yes it does, but there is very little funding to do research to tell if there is a genetic link.
Breaking that stigma is hard. When someone tells you the have breast cancer or they had brain cancer they donate ask any questions as to how they got it. Why do they do it with lung cancer? No one deserves this disease whether they smoked or not and everyone deserves the same compassion.
My main goal is to get the message out that this can happen to young people and people who have never smoked, it can happen to anyone. Lung Cancer does NOT discriminate. And even if they have made the choice to smoke at some point in their life they still deserve the same compassion as anyone who is fighting for their life.  And that lung cancer deserves way more funding than what it gets right now!!
When I was first diagnosed I used to think “why me” now I think “why not me?”   My diagnosis has shaped me into such a strong person and has given me the avenue to make a difference in people’s lives that have to fight this battle as well.

On July 4, 2007, Leah’s doctor announced that she had Stage IV lung cancer. It sent my mind into a tailspin – Leah never indulged in cigarettes! Her response to the diagnosis was a simple question to the doctor, asking when she could go back to work. I looked at my daughter with amazement and hope. In the beginning, Leah stayed in survival mode, showing signs of strength and endurance, while suffering the effects of potent chemotherapy treatments and a host of other medications. Doctors beamed with amazement at her early positive response. I was sure it was a miracle and it increased our hope for her survival. Leah lost her battle with lung cancer on Sunday, March 29, 2008 at the age of 41 years. She is an inspiration to me. Her strength encourages me to focus on my commitment to support a memorial in her name, raising funds for lung cancer research to help increase the survivor rate.

Note: The affects of tobacco smoke on our health remains an ongoing issue because second hand smoke can cause more harm than direct smoking. Scientific research informs us about this danger and tells us what to do about it. Knowledge is power! This is a step toward preventing illnesses like lung cancer.

Our son was diagnosis with Osteosarcoma (form of soft tissue and bone cancer) back ’05 he has gone through chem and above the knee amputation.  Last year it was discovered in his left lung. He has had three surgeries to remove but on the fourth surgery it was discover he has cancer between his chest cavity and his left lung. The doctor said there was nothing he could do at this point because of the scar tissue and bleeding. He has gone through 4 weeks of radiation to kill one area in the lungs but know we are waiting on a Phase 1 study at John Hopkins to open up.  Osteosarcoma doesn’t get the same attention as other high profiled cancers we are fighting to change this.

We are standing on God’s decision that he will be healed, He give us the promise last year but this year we are standing firm on His decision.

Chris our family is standing with your family to find a cure for cancer no matter what type of cancer it is.

God Bless you and your family!!

I lost my Dad, Philip Lefebvre, to Small Cell Lung Cancer(SCLC) on 8/14/11. He was diagnosed 2/14/11. Loosing my Dad to this terrible disease has rocked me to the very core. I now spend my days devoted to bringing more awareness to Lung Cancer, trying to honor his memory.I was Dad’s sole caregiver. The chemo, the radiation, blood transfusions, surgeries, endless stays in the hospital. 800 mile drive home to say goodbye to his 85 yr. old Mom. We never gave up hope, even till the very end. Dad & I were a team, a cancer fighting, tear wiping, joke telling, turtle loving team. Now, now I’m a team of one, continuing to fight in his honor.on Dad’s 1st day of radiation as they wheeled him down the hall, he looked up at me and said “We’re off ….like a herd of turtles!” The turtle became our symbol of hope, strength & courage throughout this journey. It still does to this day. Whenever I need abit, I grab one of Dad’s turtles and give it a hug …then I continue on this journey!

Kris Giovannoni

Today, a remarkable woman shared her mother’s story with Chris.  Team Draft is proud to share the Ashley Joy’s story of her mother, Patricia Mahaffey.

Dear Chris,

I always say the message you need to hear will find you…I believe you are my message. Around 4:00AM  on Monday, February 27, I woke up to a commercial for an 11Alive news piece about you wife, Keasha. At First, I thought I misunderstood your story so ; I rewound the DVR and played it again. Then, I started crying. 

On September 1, 2007 (my 29^th birthday), my mother was diagnosed with non-small cell stage IV lung cancer. She had just turned 60 in July. While not as young as your wife, my mother was very healthy. She was aware of how poor diet and exercise could shorten the lifespan of an African-American female. She made point to eat well, exercise regularly, take care of the house and yard and stay active with the friends. In addition, she was a non-smoker. She was a great example!

Before her diagnosis, my mother was known for having this cough. She went to the doctor, but no one thought to perform a chest scan or check for cancer because she did not smoke. She went to the hospital because she thought she was having a heart attack. It was then; they diagnosed her with pneumonia and lung cancer. 

Over the next 18 months, my mother fought a tough battle. She went through chemotherapy. It then spread to her brain and she went through radiation. The tumors shrunk and grew and shrunk and grew. It was a roller coaster. On March 4, 2009, Jesus called her home.

It has been almost three years and I miss my mom so much. I try to honor her memory by letting everyone know her story. I tell people, “My mom had cancer.” They say, “I’m sorry. What kind?” I reply, “Lung.” Their facial expression changes from sympathy to judgment. I continue with,” She never smoked anything.” Their face changes from judgment to guilt.

I know if more people were aware that non-smokers get lung cancer too, more research and funding would be made available. For my mom, I believe it is our genetic cancer because she lost a sister (my aunt) to and has a nephew (my cousin) with lung cancer. Neither of them smoked. 

I thank you for listening to my mom’s story. I thank you for what you are doing. I thank you for telling your wife’s story. You touched someone who was feeling alone and needed to hear your message.

Ashley Joy 

On February 16, 2011, Keasha Danced!  Today marks the anniversary of Keasha’s first chemotherapy treatment, and we remember a woman who courageously faced lung cancer, showing us all with every breath that we all need to hold onto life and love with both hands for as long as we can.

Keasha’s Dance after her 1st Chemo from TEAM DRAFT on Vimeo.

Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
‘Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells
Pumping in my living room.

Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I’ll rise.

Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops.
Weakened by my soulful cries.

Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don’t you take it awful hard
‘Cause I laugh like I’ve got gold mines
Diggin’ in my own back yard.

You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your hatefulness,
But still, like air, I’ll rise.

Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come as a surprise
That I dance like I’ve got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?
-Maya Angelou

Steven Fuller, the Chris Draft Family Foundation’s Director of Operations

Steven Fuller talks about his cousin, Tonya Ramseur-Taylor from TEAM DRAFT on Vimeo.

From Tonya’s blog:

My name is Tonya and I am a Cancer Fighter.  On July 22, 2010, I was diagnosed with Stage IV lung cancer – Adenocarcinoma; non-small cell.  Since being diagnosed, I have come into contact with people from all walks of life and more often than not, in conversation you can learn a lot about a person.  Over the last several months I have met or talked to at least one person on a daily basis who is a cancer-fighter or the know someone with cancer.  If they learn that I have cancer, the typical response is “wow, you don’t look sick”.  I laugh and say “that is because I am not sick.”  This is a good thing because the “face” of cancer is changing.  There are so many natural options available to us all that we no longer have to walk around looking like the “walking dead” or the “walking sick”.  The knowledge I have gained in doing my homework has been rewarding and my body is doing remarkably well considering the circumstances.  Also, I get asked so very often “how I found out that I had cancer; what symptoms did I have; and how is it that I do not ‘look sick’.  With what I shared with them and many others, I was urged and encouraged to share my story with others in hopes that others will benefit from my experiences.  The encouragement from others was confirmation that I should document my experiences – a decision I had considered the very moment I learned that I had cancer.  At that time, my initial thought was to do “YouTube” video journals of my journey, but I was not sure about whether or not to write a book, so I put off doing either.  I pondered and procrastinated about it for a long while, but as time went on I was sharing my story more than two to three times per week, but it was no longer about “how I found out”, my spirit was being lead towards offering hope, purporting faith, being encouraging, and providing information about “what” I was doing to stay healthy.

Tonya passed on January 3, 2012. She authored a blog during her journey with lung cancer…Faith Through Cancer …Finding Purpose Beyond the Storm.