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All about Just Carina
My name is Carina...

Born and raised in Colorado, I grew up outdoors.  My father was a private investor in the stock market and my step-father (or my second dad) was an attorney.  Both graduated college, one graduated Michigan State then went on to receive his Masters in Economics from Columbia and the other earned his law degree.  My mother was an English teacher and received her college degree when only 10% of women graduated college!

 

I graduated high school and went straight to college.  I attended several different colleges, traveled the country, and earned several different degrees.  Eventually, I settled down in Colorado working as a CPA firm as an auditor.  I raised my beautiful children and enjoyed the outdoor life.

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As the recession hit in the mid-2000s, I moved my family to the mid-west for better economic opportunities.  I had a wonderful photography business and things were good, until, my health turned for the worse and became a challenge.  My whole world turned upside down.  

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This is my story.....

Life Changes

After a week trip to camping in Yellowstone with my kids, I started experiencing horrible breathing problems which lead me straight to the hospital for a little mini-mom vaca in the worse way.  

 

Fast forward a year, I finally got to the bottom of my lung issues.  My husband and I flew all over the country seeing several different specialists and had multiple of tests done. I am officially diagnosed with Bronchiectasis.  We are still trying to determine why I have this lung disease with DNA testing.  

I am only one bad lung infection away from being put on a lung transplant list, so my health is paramount.  AND as if that wasn't enough, during my travels and testing, I discovered I am high risk for pancreatic cancer.  So, now I have two "high maintenance" organs I have to keep happy and healthy.  What does this all mean?  I don't like smoking, people who are sick or having to do breathing therapy treatments twice a day.

Taking a moment on the beach

That brings me to the here and now.  I have made choices to minimize my exposure to anything that may cause my lungs to get irritated and my pancreas happy.  That brings me to this wonderful COVID-19 pandemic.  I was in isolation for almost a whole year without leaving my little bubble.  Yes, I went outside and on car rides, even tried to go shopping.  During this time, my health continues to deteriorate slowly.  But, I started trying to keep myself busy with my old habit of video games.  Yep, I am a 50+ yr old gamer.  

My love for electronics, video games, and being forced into no socialization turned me into a video game streamer!  Oh, and an Amazon junkie.  That's me!  And here I will document some of those moments, and the things I love!

Looking Forward
UPDATE

Well, now that covid is "gone" and we are all back to "normal", I would give you all some more about what is going on with me.  My first grandchild was born last year, so now I am officially a very proud grandmother!  Your heart opens up in a whole new way.  I spend my days lately watching her and the amazing ways she does.  She is into just about everything keeping me on my toes.  So, I have started crocheting and watching Bluey none stop!  lol

As for my health, I continue to struggle with my lungs.  I did get covid, but thankfully it was extremely mild and didn't do any damage.  However, I did get a lung infection last year which took me down and I am still trying to recover.  My lungs are slowly giving out.  BUT, as you may know, that doesn't slow me down too much.

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I am still gaming and even started coding my own DayZ game with an ongoing story.  Although, that took a back seat as of now, but not for long.  

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