Posted on January 19, 2016
We have been touched by asbestos in individual ways, yet we are joined together by a bond of community. As a testament to the strength of our global family, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) is highlighting the courageous stories of our members with the “Share Your Story” 
feature on our website.
This week, we would like to honor the story of Winona Belle, as shared by her daughter Mary Elizabeth, who is a part of our ADAO family. We encourage you to submit your personal stories by clicking here and following the simple instructions on the page. In sharing, comes healing. Remember, you are not alone.
“It Was Too Much” – Winona’s Story
Name: Winona Belle
Location: Massachusetts
Date of Birth: 19-MAY-1924
Date of Diagnosis: 21-FEB-2007
Diagnosis: Mesothelioma
Treatment: Alimta
Date of Death: 30-JUN-2009
How has asbestos changed your life? (As shared by her daughter, Mary Elizabeth)
Mom lived in Massachusetts her biopsy was done in Worcester, Massachusetts on February 21, 2007 When the doctor came out of the operating room and said “I could not go down your Mom’s throat as the mass was to large, so I went in through her right side. I believe it is Mesothelioma from asbestos, as I have seen this before”. I had never even heard of Mesothelioma, I thought I was going to faint. They did not remove a lung due to her age. Mom was in the Hospital for 5 days at which time I stayed at her apartment. Then she was transferred to a Rehabilitation center for about a week. I would travel back and forth from Vermont to Massachusetts to take her to appointments as needed. Her second round of chemo left her very weak I brought her up to Vermont to stay with me for awhile. I decided to move Mom up to Vermont so I did not have to make the 3 hour trip each way from Massachusetts. Emotionally and physically it was too much for me. I have a brother and sister that live in Massachusetts, they had their own lives, so it was left to me. I was all alone when I got the diagnosis; it was one of the worst days of my life. Mom passed away on June 30 2009. A lot longer than the Doctor’s in Massachusetts had given her.
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