Posted on August 26, 2019

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 Larry, shared by his daughter, Courtney, 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.

“Forced to Fight an Unworthy Foe” – Larry’s Story

Name: Larry

Location: Alaska

Date of Birth: 07/09/1945

Diagnosis: Mesothelioma

Date of Diagnosis: 06/23/2006

Date of Death: 07/02/2012

How has asbestos changed your life? (Shared by his daughter, Courtney, unedited)

In my life the asbestos destruction continues …

I grew up daddy’s little girl. I believed he would always be there for me. It never occurred to me that multiple money-hungry corporations were conspiring to kill him.

In 2006, my father, Larry Davis, was misdiagnosed with testicular cancer. From diagnosis, to multiple opinions, a botched surgery, sepsis, rehab, colostomy, failed reversal, another failed colostomy reversal, and finally a new diagnosis: Peritoneal Mesothelioma, asbestos the known the culprit. I watched my dad who had overcome some of the toughest tests of endurance and perseverance forced to fight an unworthy foe. An adversary that may have killed his father, mother and grandfather.

Mesothelioma killed him a few days shy of his 66th birthday, before walking me down the aisle and seeing that I would be okay. I grieve for all the things we lost. And I continue the fight he started.

A large earthquake in November of 2018 shook loose enough asbestos from the ceilings that, as I write this, nearly ten months later, asbestos abatement is only now complete at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. The Air Force-run base refuses to acknowledge the asbestos issue even though we know the earthquakes will continue here and service members will be exposed.

In May of 2019 a childhood friend of mine died from Mesothelioma. She survived Stage IVb Hodgkins Lymphoma, then heart disease as a result of treatments, only to succumb to Pleural Mesothelioma from exposure to asbestos, possibly in her baby powder and in our school. Another beautiful life lost.

The trail of destruction asbestos leaves has crippling effects. I wonder what my future holds based on my family’s past. I will keep fighting as it has all changed my life.

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