So, my name is Tawny, but everyone on line calls me Nami. If fact there are a number of wed sites were you can go on and mention the name Namrea and get some seriously nice service, but that's not today's tale.

Now, in 22 years I have lived a rather busy life, I've been threw things most 22 years old American girls don't go threw... at least not the majority.. ANYWAY!

I am making this thread because about a week ago I was asked to write about my time in the Marines. It was short mind you and it ended in an unfortunate bang.

When I was 18, fresh out of High School and a JROTC program I thought I owned the world, I was fit, cute, and mildly popular. I enjoyed a full high school life. And, because the instructor of the ROTC program had had such a positive impact in my life I thought.. hell lets join the military.

So I joined the Marines, just like my beloved instructor. And I tell you, basic training was some of the worst and best weeks of my life. It was rough, and don't think just because I'm a girl means they go easy on you, the moment you meet you DI you do what they say, when they say it, or you are well.. going to regreat it. Sure its not as tough as it once is but I can honestly say there is a reason they call us the 'few and the proud'.

So I worked my butt off, and I made it threw, and I had done so well, I was going to attend officer training school once I had gone home for a while.

Now I was in the military a short time, though I was able to visit Lithuania, which is were my family is from, so that was nice.. however, when I came back to the states on leave something happened... I was hit by a truck... Now this is the first most painful experience of my life. (I've had a few others)

So this truck... a F15 by the way, not only broke my left leg and arm, but litterally crushed part of my left leg, and pushed my knee from the from, all the way to the back of my leg.. the result was about 12 hours of surgery, which I count myself lucky, and about eight pints of blood being pumped in to me (thank you anyone who donates btw)

Now clearly I lived, but my military career was cut short. Which both saddens me and makes me feel lucky.

Anyway, that was only a first chapter of my young adult hood. Because when I went to my doctor for a physical after I was out of the hospital... and thanks to a rutine exam... I found out I had cervical cancer.


Well...This is it for now.. if you managed to read all of this and are not bored by my life I would be happy to share the rest of the story.. but I don't want to shove to much on everyone at a time, its alot to swallow.

But I'm happy and mostly healthy and love to share my story.

...Holy crap. That's a lot of crap that you've gone throught! Pretty amazing if you ask me. =D

Wow, you sure have been through a lot. It's good that your still going strong, right?

You seem to be a very cool person, and you MUST enjoy your stay on Vizzed!

Thanks guys. Yeah, I gave the abridged version because .. I don't like to type much.. surprising because I spend all of my time on the computer! lol

I'm glad that you finally made this thread, I was really curious to find out more about your marine story.

You had a really tough life, I'm sorry for making you think about all this story again and post it
Maybe this bad incident happened for a good reason. I mean, if you had gone to war or something like that, then things could be even worse!

You said that you "had cervical cancer", this means that you are ok now,right?

Yeah after about a year of radiation it cleared up, and now things are functioning like they are supposed to again. So things cleared up nicely and not as healthy as I used to be but I am in good shape now.

And its okay, I dont mind sharing my story.

I'm so happy that you're ok now
I wish you all the best for the future

WHAT A LIFE!

You really went through a roller coaster.

So, your legs got crushed in the Marines, and you had cancer, and you're still alive. AMAZING!

Hope you're okay in the future.

Wow, you've been through a lot :O
But hey, problems in life just make us stronger
I'm glad you pulled through.

I agree, I've worked hard and been though alot but I think I'm a better person for it. lol though I kinda feel like I'm bragging now.