Travel, Life is Short!

By Juanita Segura

3 min read

When I was diagnosed in November of 2014, I made 3 promises to myself and one of them was to travel as much as possible and see the world. When we are not faced with a terminal disease, we think we have all the time in the world and so I thought. I figured once my kids are grown my husband and I can travel and go visit the places we always wanted to go. But that all changed in November of 2014 when we got the news that I had stage 3B Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

So, we decided as long as I’m still breathing on this earth we were going to travel and see the world and that’s exactly what we are doing.

Cleared for travel after treatment

After chemo and radiation, I had to build up my strength and once I was cleared, we began to travel every chance we got. We have been to many places together and some I went with others, like my friends and some family members. Our first trip was a family trip to Costa Rica. It was July 2015 and we spend two weeks there with our children. I told my husband “just in case these treatments don’t work let's do one last family vacation but out of the county. I wanted my kids to remember me being happy and having fun.” So off we went, and we had the best time of our lives. In October 2015, I went with my mother-in-law and a group from her church to Jerusalem, to the Holy Land. Now that trip was amazing and so educational.

My husband and I have been to many places to make memories because we just never know. I’ve been NED and stable before, but I’ve also had progression within the last 7 years. Our lives are compacted so we do as much as we can and travel in such a short period of time. Our traveling adventure has been amazing, and we’ve made lots of precious memories that when it’s my time to go he’ll have those precious memories.

Enjoying life and its many adventures

Our traveling adventures have been to the Bahamas where we renew our vows for our 25th wedding anniversary with friends by our side. Jamaica where we went to celebrate my 30 years high school reunion, and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico where we went to celebrate my 50th birthday. Puerto Vallarta to celebrate our daughter’s birthday, and Loretto, Mexico to celebrate my husband’s 50th birthday. We’ve been to Florida several times; we’ve been to Tennessee 4 times because we love the state of Tennessee. We’ve gone to New York, Boston, Los Angeles, DC, and Dallas just to name a few. I recently went to Dubai with my friend Dianna and a group. I’ve been to so many places I can’t keep track, but that’s ok because I’m enjoying life and keeping the promise, I made to myself 7 years ago.

Don't let lung cancer stop you

Just because we are diagnosed with a terminal illness doesn’t mean we need to stop living. Go live, enjoy your life because you only get one, and for goodness sake travel. Talk to your doctor and don’t be afraid of the logistics. Airports have wheelchairs if you need one, I had to use them from time to time and it’s ok but go on that trip you always wanted to go to. Do you carry an oxygen tank? Ok, you can still travel with it. Don't let things like that stop you. You are still alive and breathing, right? Then go travel and see the place you always dreamed of, don’t wait until it’s too late.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The LungCancer.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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Richard Faust Community Admin
Hi <inline-mention username="Juanita Segura" user-id="2356142"/>. Love it. So glad you mentioned being able to use and travel with assistive devices. As I think you know, my wife, Kelly, was diagnosed with her autoimmune disease very young and has used a wheelchair much of her life. She has always loved to travel and focused on making memories. She's wanted to do it while she can. Fortunately, in many ways travel has gotten easier with a medical condition. There are even companies that specialize in helping make these trips and experiences happen. For everyone out, there know that if you want to travel it can be done! Best, Richard (LungCancer.net Team)
nuHehTalittA Member
My wife and I are on social security disability. I got on it because Christmas Eve, 2018, I was diagnosed with non small cell lung cancer, which at the time it was stage three. Not sure why, but I am told it is now stage four. I did not have insurance and our savings got depleted rather quickly. We had to sell our home to keep from going into foreclosure. So now, being on SSI, we need to decide if we skip medications or meals. The economy is not helping. Can you believe a 15 year old flipping burgers earns more than my wife and I together get from SSI? 
1. Alisa Moderator
 <inline-mention username="nuHehTalittA" user-id="4552524"/> I'm sorry to hear how difficult it is for you. I am attaching a link below to an article written by our Editorial Team regarding various resources for cancer patients. I hope it helps! Wishing you all the best, Alisa, <a href='http://LungCancer.net' target='_blank'>LungCancer.net</a> Team https://lungcancer.net/resources-health
nuHehTalittA Member
Hi Alisa, Thank you for your time sending a link that may help in our situation. I do not fall under the veterans or LGBTQ categories. I checked out a couple others that I have not been to, however I do not qualify because of income. I get too much SSI because of prior earnings put me high enough to be above the poverty level (what a joke). Pretty much the same thing I get from any place offering assistance. Thanks again, Joe
1. Alisa Moderator
 <inline-mention username="nuHehTalittA" user-id="4552524"/> Hi Joe, if you scroll down, there are other links, not just veterans and LGBTQ, not sure if you meant those when you said you checked out a couple of others. If not, take a look. I know what you mean about qualifications though, I fall in that middle area also. Too much for assistance, not enough to pay, it's a challenge for sure! ~ Alisa

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