Normand Joseph Charette was born February 23, 1953 in Montreal, Canada to Louis and Carmen Charette.  Normand was the beloved brother of Francine Charette.  Normand came to the United States in 1977 on his motorcycle and toured the US.  He spent time on the West Coast finally making Phoenix his home in 1986.

Normand loved to be with his daughter Amanda, teaching her about life, answering her questions on their drives to school in the morning.  He looked at what was RIGHT in life not what was WRONG; he saw the “glass as half full not half empty.”

Normand and I met in 1992 and after 8 wonderful years of sharing and growing together united in marriage November 25th 2000.  Normand was diagnosed with Lung Cancer in January of 2001, and in May 2001 Norm had the lower lobe of his right lung removed.  By June 2001 Norm felt great, he looked great and he felt “LIFE IS GOOD”.  There was no need for radiation or chemo he had been given a clean bill of health.  He continued with his check ups, all returning unremarkable and our lives were once more going smoothly.  Eight months down the road Norm’s doctor decided to do a CAT SCAN to make sure his lung was clear.  Unfortunately the cancer had metastasized into the left lung and middle right lobe and in January 2002 he was diagnosed as being in Stage IV.

Normand’s doctor gave him six months to live, possibly eight with aggressive chemotherapy but Normand chose a non-invasive treatment in which I supported him whole heartedly.  So off we went to San Diego to a medical center where they would build up his immune system.  These treatments began in March 2002 with heavy doses of Vitamin C, immunoglobulin, IV’s of immune builders, injections (both of which I learned to give him), organic eating, exercises and plenty of Norm’s own continued positive thinking.  Normand’s treatment went will for the first few months, there were no side effects so he felt good and was able to continue working and living a full life.  In October the doctor wanted to run another set of CAT SCANS but the results were not good – the tumors were growing.

Normand decided on Thanksgiving of 2002 to take IRESSA an experimental medication.  Two months of this treatment would tell us if it was helping him or not.  Normand had a negative reaction and started to develop pneumonia.  In February 2003 Normand turned 50 and his daughter 13, so we celebrated with a party including all his loved ones and friends and it was wonderful.  Norm looked and felt good, his sense of humor never leaving him, we all thought he would see another year.  Sadly his breathing weakened daily and although he was out riding his motorcycle the week before and was working at his computer up to his death, Normand passed on to a better place March 20th 2003. We all miss him and he is thought of each day by so many.

Battling Lung Cancer with my husband, seeing the fight, seeing the hope in his eyes that he was going to win.  Normand wanted to try anything not only to live longer but to hopefully save a life through research, traditional or alternative.  We learned so much about the treatment options available and want to be able to share that knowledge and hopefully ease just a little of the burden these families are facing.  Norm inspired me to continue helping those with LC to live a life with QUALITY, to be able to share the last of everything with those he or she loves.  Battling LC is extremely stressful, not only emotionally but financially too.  Often the patient loses their ability to work which only amplifies the additional burden already created by rising medical costs.  Many families battling LC become increasingly strapped for cash.  This is one of the main reasons why I formed the NJC Memorial Fund, to help ease some of the financial burdens of prescriptions, trips to the doctor, paying for bills or groceries or simply to have a little cash to enjoy a “normal” family day at the movies.

At NJC our focus is on the family, the person battling LC and the loved ones who are doing everything to support them. We recognize that the emotional and mental health of the entire family is so important to focus on while going through this horrible painful disease.  I want to thank everyone who has helped me on my path to forming NJC and I look forward to a future of providing emotional and financial support to as many families as possible.

Sincerely,

Elva Gamino-Charette, DC