Regardless of the outcome now, Sheri D. Leon will always be grateful for the way they have been treated for the assistance they received for the physician who cared so much.
He gave them hope.
diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma in October was a devastating blow at the beginning, but help came quickly once they found the center mesothelioma Asbestos.com.
"We could not get by this one ?? ever," said Sheri, woman and Leon principal caregiver, a veteran of the US Coast Guard was hit with the diagnosis. "We're going home now feel good, smiling again. As our prayers were answered simply." Their name is withheld on privacy.
After three and a half months in Boston under the care of the VA health system and specialist mesothelioma Avi Lebenthal, MD, the couple returned to Panama City, Fla., April 11, confident that their life together will last many more years.
"We were told the house that he had maybe 15 months to live, he could get chemotherapy and just hope for the best," said Sheri. "No one knew what make. We had no other options we found mesothelioma Centre.
"Then we got to Boston, we heard five to 15 years. The difference was huge. Lebenthal Dr. Leon said," Put yourself in my hands, and you'll be fine. "He took many of our worries. I feel like he gave us a new life. "
Lebenthal I want to gain the patient's trust
Lebenthal, thoracic surgeon, a special respect and admiration for military veterans. He served earlier in the Israeli armed forces, receiving a distinction for bravery letter of his time on the battlefield.
He divides his time between the VA Boston Healthcare System and the International Mesothelioma Program at Brigham nearby and Women's Hospital.
He often speaks to his mesothelioma patients to gain their trust, to go to war together to fight this disease, and never leave a brother behind.
"We were so impressed with him about his confidence in what he does," said Sheri. "We are lucky that we found it. And we have been able to to Boston, and stay here as long as it took. "
the couple were guided through the process by Kaylen Jackson, director of the medical mission to mesothelioma Centre. Jackson held a much-needed travel grant, and it held its first meeting with Lebenthal, who encouraged all US veterans with mesothelioma to contact him.
They spoke with the Department of Veterans Assistance Center to mesothelioma. He helped to quickly navigate through the often complex VA health system.
They traveled to Boston for the first time on Thanksgiving, met Lebenthal and his staff on Friday and began the value of a week of tests to determine the best course of action. After flying home, they returned to surgery for seven hours Lebenthal on Dec. 22.
Although their stay in Boston was considerably longer than expected ?? there were postoperative complications ?? housing has not been a problem for either Leon or Sheri. In fact, it was free.
Special assistance with Fisher House
While he was hospitalized, she stayed at the Fisher house nearby, a public-private partnership provides housing for family members of veterans receiving treatment.
"It was really nice, like living in a mansion ?? tile floors, granite countertops in the kitchen, and the people there were wonderful," she said. "Otherwise I would have stayed. Our life savings not covered it all."
When Leon was released from the hospital, but needed to be close to daily monitoring, the couple stayed at the Huntington House, another residential facility without charge designed for veterans and caregivers.
Leon believes his mesothelioma stems from his exposure to asbestos in the Coast Guard (1965-1969), where he worked in the engine room of the Port Knoll US. There was a time when the US military vessels, especially under the bridge, were loaded with asbestos.
It often takes between 10 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos before mesothelioma symptoms appear. And then spread through the lining that surrounds the lungs.
"We were stunned. Leon had never been sick. He was always in good health. But he began to cough, and cough worsened," Sheri said. "We fear it is lung cancer."
Until the diagnosis of Leon they had never heard of mesothelioma or understood what it was.
"We would have been able to go to Boston or stay that long and get the kind of care he got on our own," said Sheri. "for this, we will always be grateful."
the hope, of course, is that the couple will have many more years to be grateful together.
