In Memory of Mom Messina

Terry Messina

Approximately one year ago, on September 14, my mother past away of lung cancer in her home in Vermont. She was 75 years old.

My mother, Terry Messina, started smoking when she was16 years old. She was a glamorous young woman often striking a pose in front of a camera with a cigarette. It was alluring at the time. Smoking was social and she thought added to her appeal, she also enjoyed “smoking “her cigarettes before she “needed them”. My mother smoked…and smoked as she moved into the demanding role of motherhood. Sometimes she smoked heavily, near 2 packs a day, up until her 50 th birthday. She needed the cigarettes as a means of coping with the domestic pressures at home and as a means of satisfying the powerful physical addiction. At 50 my mom quit smoking. I do not remember how she did it but I know it must have been extremely difficult, but that is my Mom. She could do anything if she set out to “do it”.

In 1999, my mom was diagnosis with non-small cell carcinoma lung cancer. She informed her six children of her condition and began preparations for living with and dying of lung cancer. Her children scattered on the east coast, would come together with, and without, her to discuss preparing for what might be a difficult journey. The doctors at that time gave her a prognosis of 1 year to live – based on treatment options. My mom surpassed her prognosis date by 4 years. She opted not to have the radiation or chemo; however she did have 2 lung surgeries and miraculously recovered a more vibrant woman. Her determination in living and her unwavering faith is what we all believe to have given her the gift of 4 more years. She was never oxygen dependant, only needed it intermittently, and during the last 3 weeks of her life.

Submitted by,
Darlene Messina