Posted on September 19, 2018

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 James, shared by himself, who is 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.

“My History of Mesothelioma” – James’ Story

Name: James

Location: Arizona

Date of Birth: 07/20/1961

Diagnosis: Mesothelioma

Date of Diagnosis: 08/13/2013

Treatment: HIPEC Procedure Radiation Therapy, chemotherapy after diagnoses in 2013 and again in 2018.

How has asbestos changed your life? (Shared by James, unedited)

My History of Mesothelioma.
I had cancer of a different type in 2011. During the followup CT Scans, my oncologist started seeing growths in my abdomen. After several scans he decided to get a biopsy. So I went in for a CT Guided biopsy in mid July of 2011. When that didn’t work I had to do a arthroscopic biopsy in August of that year. Finally getting a good sample I was told by my oncologist that I have Peritoneal Mesothelioma Epithelioid. I ended up going to CTCA (Cancer Treatment Centers of America) to have the HIPEC surgery. On 10/14 I went in for the surgery and 10.5 hours later I was sent to recover for 24 hours. After 17 days in recovery I was finally released. After some more recovery I went in for 30 session of Radiation Therapy. Again after some down time there was 6 session of chemotherapy in store for me. 

Starting in September of 2017 I was having blood test called SMRP that showed increases in the marker for Mesothelioma. Then I went in for a PET SCAN but it didn’t react to the scan. So about 2 months later I had a MRI. This MRI showed 5 different lesion in my abdomen. 

1) 6.5 cm in diameter in the center of the liver by the porta hepatis
2) 3.5 cm in diameter on the dome of the liver near the lung base
3) 3.2 cm on the left heptic lobe of the liver
4) 1.3 cm x 1.2 cm on the anterior pelvis
5) 3.8 cm x 1.5 cm on the right seminal vesicle & anterior of the rectum

I went through 4 session of Carboplatin, Premetrexed (alimpta) plus Bevacizumad (avastin) with Neulasta Patch. Followed by maintenance of Premetrexed (alimpta) plus Bevacizumad (avastin).

Now in October lesion 1, 2 and 3 will be (hopefully) destroyed by Cryo-Surgery.

My life has been a struggle and to say I am OK is a stretch of the imagination just to say, I am alive is a miracle.

 

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