It has been over 12 years that my husband, Brian, died of pleural mesothelioma. In the years since his death, I have related with countless families around the world who also lost loved ones to this disease. We all pray that a cure will be found soon.
Over the years, I took a special interest in all the information that indicated our prayers were answered. But despite many advances in research reports mesothelioma, new treatments and therapies have not made much impact on the number of deaths from this disease. In fact, in many places around the world, the number continues to rise.
There are, however, some good news and reason to hope.
People with asbestos cancer now live longer than those who had the disease in the past. My recent research on the treatment helped me understand why.
In short, undergoing three surgeries recommended for pleural mesothelioma ?? extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP), a pleurectomy / decortication (PD) or debulking ?? can be a key early successful treatment.
All three of these procedures involve risks and possible side effects. But few people with asbestos cancer would not choose to take the ray of hope these procedures provide.
I wish I understood that there all these years.
Learn from Brian, AOS Experience
I know Brian would have done everything to prolong his life. He never had the chance. The day he was diagnosed, his doctor informed him that his mesothelioma was too advanced for surgery to be an option and palliative chemotherapy was the only thing available.
Although Brian and I accepted that at the time I wonder now if that diagnosis was quite correct. My doubts come because of a number of facts and very disturbing questions
Done :. Prior experience shortness of breath (the first and only symptom of mesothelioma Brian displayed at diagnosis), it had seemed perfectly fine and had maintained a very active lifestyle. Once the liquid had caused his dyspnea was emptied his chest, he again felt perfectly fine. He was able to continue working and remained active as he had before his diagnosis
Question .? If the cancer was so advanced, how could it be possible
Done : Brian, OSA diagnosis was based only on the condition of the fluid that was drained from his chest. At no time was a biopsy of tissue taken, he was not informed of any cell type his mesothelioma was
Question :. Without a tissue biopsy, how is it possible for Brian, OSA diagnosis 100 percent accurate
Fact :. Brian has not started palliative chemotherapy until one year after diagnosis
issue : If Brian AOS mesothelioma was argued, was why the chemotherapy are not necessary earlier
Done : Doctors gave Brian a prognosis of three to nine months at the time of diagnosis. He survived for two years and was active right up to three days before his death
Questions :. If Brian AOS mesothelioma was advanced when it was diagnosed, how he managed to stay active for so long and why did it survive much longer than expected?
Please get a second opinion
The answer to these questions could be that, at diagnosis, Brian, AOS mesothelioma has not advanced at all.
Unfortunately, Brian has not requested a second opinion.
I will never know if his diagnosis was wrong or it would have been a candidate for an operation that can have prolonged his life.
I know that luck, an operation would have given reason Brian hope.
for him and for me it would have been much better than living without hope.
detailed information on procedures and treatments currently performed on mesothelioma patients can be found at Asbestos.com.
