Mesothelioma Journey
In November of 2005, I was diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma. The deadly diagnosis was the realization of my greatest fear, especially as my only daughter, Lily, was just 3 1/2 months old at the time. However, as a result of my diagnosis, I found I was stronger than I ever thought I could be.
My initial research into malignant pleural mesothelioma led me to the grim statistics: only 2% survived more than five years after diagnosis. I decided then and there that I would be in that 2%. I was going to survive this cancer no matter what it took.
For the next year, I spent every ounce of energy I had fighting this disease. During that time, I was referred to Dr. David Sugarbaker, one of the world’s leading mesothelioma doctors, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Dr. Sugarbaker found the tumor in my left lung and determined it needed to be removed. Lily was now 6 months old and 1900 miles away, with my parents, as I fought for my life in that operation.
I spent the next few months raising Lily while at the same time undergoing chemo and radiation treatments. I would never have been able to take care of Lily without the support of my wonderful family and devoted friends. Although I spent the first year of her life sick, Lily was oblivious. Lily’s first birthday was spent, not only celebrating for her, but also for the nearing end of my mesothelioma treatment. That came a few months later, just shy of the anniversary of my mesothelioma diagnosis.
That terrible year of battling mesothelioma has taught me not to take anything for granted. I take great joy in the little things in life: Lily’s laughter, rainbows, and even a puppy’s breath on my face. Everything reminds me that life is there to live.
Because of my battle with mesothelioma, I’ve met so many wonderful people. They are people who battle mesothelioma every day, those who care for their loved ones during the battle, and especially those who lost the battle for one reason or another. Those battling mesothelioma amaze me to this day with their incredible tenacity for life. For all of them, I work to raise awareness for mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is more than just a commercial; it’s a real disease with real people struggling to stay alive.
As I continue to live my life with my daughter, I always find something to be grateful for. Even on bad days, there is something to be grateful for, even if it’s just being alive.
In November of 2005, I was diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma. The deadly diagnosis was the realization of my greatest fear, especially as my only daughter, Lily, was just 3 1/2 months old at the time. However, as a result of my diagnosis, I found I was stronger than I ever thought I could be.
My initial research into malignant pleural mesothelioma led me to the grim statistics: only 2% survived more than five years after diagnosis. I decided then and there that I would be in that 2%. I was going to survive this cancer no matter what it took.
For the next year, I spent every ounce of energy I had fighting this disease. During that time, I was referred to Dr. David Sugarbaker, one of the world’s leading mesothelioma doctors, at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Dr. Sugarbaker found the tumor in my left lung and determined it needed to be removed. Lily was now 6 months old and 1900 miles away, with my parents, as I fought for my life in that operation.
I spent the next few months raising Lily while at the same time undergoing chemo and radiation treatments. I would never have been able to take care of Lily without the support of my wonderful family and devoted friends. Although I spent the first year of her life sick, Lily was oblivious. Lily’s first birthday was spent, not only celebrating for her, but also for the nearing end of my mesothelioma treatment. That came a few months later, just shy of the anniversary of my mesothelioma diagnosis.
That terrible year of battling mesothelioma has taught me not to take anything for granted. I take great joy in the little things in life: Lily’s laughter, rainbows, and even a puppy’s breath on my face. Everything reminds me that life is there to live.
Because of my battle with mesothelioma, I’ve met so many wonderful people. They are people who battle mesothelioma every day, those who care for their loved ones during the battle, and especially those who lost the battle for one reason or another. Those battling mesothelioma amaze me to this day with their incredible tenacity for life. For all of them, I work to raise awareness for mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is more than just a commercial; it’s a real disease with real people struggling to stay alive.
As I continue to live my life with my daughter, I always find something to be grateful for. Even on bad days, there is something to be grateful for, even if it’s just being alive.
