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Caring for Carcinoid Foundation - Survivor Stories

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Trudie Matrick

Profile

Cancer type: Carcinoid
Diagnosis year: 2004
Home: USA

How I Survive Cancer

I am surviving cancer by putting one foot in front of the other -- one day at a time.

I am taking Avastin chemotherapy, Sandostatin injections and Sutent. I try to follow my doctors' instructions and take my medications as prescribed.

I also try to eat foods that are good for me and avoid foods that are difficult to digest.

I enjoy reading inspirational books, journaling my thoughts and feelings, and gardening.

How I Fight for a Cure

I know I have to fight for a cure when I look into my childrens' eyes and I see that they need me to be here for them as they grow up.

My Caring Words of Encouragement

It has been a very hard battle. I am 40 years old. I was diagnosed three years ago on 9/16. My triplets were 2 years old at that time, and I have been fighting for my life ever since with every ounce of strength I can find within myself.

I had 2 rounds of chemoembolization to my liver, then a Whipple surgery 2 months later. The primary tumor was removed along with one-third of my pancreas, my gallbladder and other areas surrounding the tumor site.

So much has happened during all of this, but many people have reached out to me and my family to help us get through it all. The tumors in my liver are responding to the latest treatments and they are shrinking, so I am finally getting back to a semi-normal life since I am getting stronger and feeling so much better. God has been so good to me! It has really been a difficult trial, but I have learned so much about myself and about God -- about friendships and about life.

To be honest, I have had many amazingly awesome experiences as a result of this journey, and I am so thankful for these experiences. My faith is so much stronger, and I find beauty and joy in the smallest things of everyday life. I look at life so differently having walked down this path, and I cherish life so deeply now. I have come to realize that every moment I spend with my precious children and family and friends is a true gift. Sometimes, when I'm not feeling well and it is really tough just to get through a day, I try to remind myself that I am so blessed - - incredibly blessed, and for that I am so thankful.