The hardest blow from a mesothelioma diagnosis is the almost universal pessimism about the chances of survival.
In addition to the already overwhelming diagnosis, mesothelioma patients and their loved ones are confronted with a seemingly endless list of negative reports and prognoses from articles, news reports, the world wide web, insurance providers and even from their family physicians and oncologists. Such pessimism is pervasive and largely based on a history of failure and nihilism in treating the disease, a history which is finally being changed by exciting developments in research.
Below is a collection of real mesothelioma survivor stories. These are men and women who share their struggles not to impress you with their courage, luck, or fortitude, but to offer their message of hope that effective treatments are finally at hand.
If you find yourself on the doorstep of an uncertain future with a deadly cancer, it’s time to find solace and comfort in the mesothelioma survivor stories below.
Fighting mesothelioma is tough, but we’re constantly gaining ground. Don’t give up.
Despite all the ads, odds are people around us don’t know what mesothelioma is
When I tell people I battled mesothelioma and lived to tell about it, they often ask: Oh, is that the disease they have commercials for
“My biggest fear was that my daughter wasn’t going to remember her mother”
The diagnosis Julie went to the 2006 International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma with her neighbor who is a medical doctor. She needed someone with her
Financial assistance for mesothelioma treatment provided John the opportunity to enroll in a clinical trial far from home
When John Lewis and his wife saw a post about the Foundation’s Travel Grant Program (a program providing financial assistance for travel for mesothelioma treatment)
Search for the cure – Steve’s story: Part 1
Steve W. is a 58-year-old husband and father of three who was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma in June 2018. Following his diagnosis, Steve and his
A decade later: celebrating living — Sherrie’s story
On November 25, 2018, Sherrie Moore celebrated her 10-year anniversary of surviving mesothelioma. Five days later, she also turned 62 — something a decade ago
Motherhood and mesothelioma: Jessica’s story updated with a new ‘addition’
Meet Jessica: mother, wife, daughter and mesothelioma warrior. Jessica was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma in June 2015. As to be expected, her reaction was a
My faith is bigger than my fear; living with mesothelioma — Part 1: diagnosis
My name is Rebecca Matthias, and I’m 39 years old. Six years ago, I thought I had a bladder infection. I went in to see
Young Warrior Does Not Let Mesothelioma Get in the Way of Her Dreams
BY JESSICA BLACKFORD-CLEETON A large number of warriors diagnosed with mesothelioma are over the age of 65, but there are several cases of diagnosis in
A first-person story from a first-class warrior — Ivana’s story
BY IVANA MIHAJLOVIC Soon after my 30th birthday, in the late summer of 2009, I started having lower abdominal pain. People told me that my
Kendra’s story
Kendra Ferreira is a fine artist living in Portsmouth, RI. Though busy, life seemed to be going fairly smoothly for Kendra, her husband Paul and
A 16-year journey – Marlyn’s story
Marlyn Landin lives in Maryland with her husband, who is retired from the Air Force. As a long-time military wife, Marlyn got “used to sitting
Cesarean section delivers healthy baby and unexpected diagnosis — Amanda’s story
Amanda and her husband David sat on their porch steps, their two-week-old baby Gia in a stroller right in front of them while their two
My Cancer Birthday
BY JOHN PANZA I am 42 years old. And I have malignant pleural mesothelioma. I am told I am Stage 3. Although I have probably
Being your own advocate — Chris’s story
Chris DeSantis celebrated his 47th birthday on November 3, 2015, marking his 17th birthday since being diagnosed with mesothelioma. His story began like that of
Drawing support from other patients — Bill’s story
BY BILL ZIEGLER In July of 2011, my life was forever changed. It was supposed to be a time for celebration. It was almost my
Cam Deaver and his Happy Voices
BY CAM DEAVER Shortly after my HIPEC surgery, I started hearing voices. Talking, laughing, sometimes crying. But mostly happy. Now I hear them every day.
