A Mesothelioma Cancer Survivor Story
Today, I try not to live in fear and constantly remind myself how precious each day is. Watching my wife fight for her life after being diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer, I know to never take anything for granted. That’s because this disease is so deadly – around 3,000 people are diagnosed each year, and very few live beyond a year.
Now imagine, just three months after celebrating parenthood with a sweet innocent baby girl, you find out that your wife has been diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma. What’s going to happen to my wife? Where can I find help? What is this cancer? What about Lily? These are just some of the questions that immediately ran through my mind.
Now, ten years later, my wife is cancer free! She beat the odds! I will never forget all the pain, and suffering she went through. Rare cancers like Mesothelioma need attention. Here’s a quick video of our story:
Mesothelioma is a rare, but preventable, cancer. It’s only known cause is from exposure to asbestos. For asbestos to be a threat, it needs to disturbed or broken. The tiny particles can easily be inhaled and become trapped in the lungs.
There are three main types of mesothelioma: pleural (develops in the lining of the lungs), peritoneal (develops in the lining of the abdomen), and pericardial (develops in the lining of the heart).
Since the symptoms of mesothelioma are similar to other illnesses – such as lung cancer – it is very hard to diagnose, and it can take decades for the symptoms to even begin appearing. On average, most people who are diagnosed are between the ages of 50 and 70. Each year about 3,000 people are diagnosed, and unfortunately are given on average of 10 to 21 months to live. Although there isn’t a cure for mesothelioma, there are some promising treatments that can help extend the lives of those affected...
Mesothelioma Awareness Day is an annual observance started by the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation. The day sheds light on mesothelioma in the hopes of increasing funding to find a cure.
If you would like to get involved with the Mesothelioma Awareness Day efforts please check out:
