Sara B. looked at his own life change dramatically, a shocking diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma cancer in a story return inspiring.
she also watched his eldest son, John, absorb all this and make a life changing choice of experience.
"He wants to be a surgeon now," said proudly of his son Sarah, a senior in high school. "My illness, and I've been really encouraged, he pushed hard in that direction. He saw closely the impact that the surgeon may have. It has become a real wake-up call for him. For this I am grateful. "
Sara, 46, whose name was not granted on privacy, is a mesothelioma survivor is thriving, a striking contrast to the gloom that hangs over dangerously typical diagnostic this horrible disease.
she had extensive cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) in May, suffered through a dreadful intensive care recovery and later, a debilitating chemotherapy, but she saw . the day with a contagious optimism
"I'm not saying it's easy - you have to go through hell to get better - and I told my doctor some day or other, or kill me put me in a coma, because I could not 't take more, "she said." But you can get through this. I'm proof there is hope out there. If there were not this horrible scar on my stomach today, you would never know I was sick. I feel as good as ever. "
Living Life Again in France
Sara spoke shortly after snow skiing with the family. She had just finished another session of aqua-jogging and felt strong and confident. she plans to return to work.
his first two post-operative scans showed no sign of cancer recurrence.
Sara lives in Bordeaux, France, with her husband and two son. Even though she was born and raised in California, attending the University of Colorado, has spent the last 20 years in Europe.
"I'm in the States, working my first job out University when the young French only swept me of my feet, and convinced me to move, "she said with a laugh." He was my intern at the bank. But that is another story "
After being scanned, the couple lived in Switzerland, England, Belgium and Germany -. Part of his career in international affairs - before returning to France, where they were the last five years.
She was diagnosed in April, almost by chance after seeing a doctor about a bladder infection. a precautionary ultrasound of his kidneys transformed into further testing of his entire abdominal cavity, which revealed a surprising discovery.
"When my doctor came into the room to give me the results, he looked like death. his expression m ' said there was a real problem, "she said. "I went there thinking it might be nothing, a cyst or girly something minor. I never think it could be cancer, certainly not mesothelioma. "
Mesothelioma is a rare aggressive cancer diagnosed in only 3,000 Americans each year. Less than a third of them are peritoneal mesothelioma, which starts in the lining around the abdominal cavity. It is caused by inhalation or ingestion of asbestos fibers. It usually takes between 20 to 50 years between exposure and diagnosis.
exposure to asbestos Mystery
" I worked only in a factory or something like that. No more than my parents, where they could have made at home. My father was in finance and investment. My mother was a nurse, "she said." That's why I thought, "This must be a mistake."
Unfortunately, as more tests proved it was no mistake. Her shock turned to fear. The fear turned to anger. His determination did not emerge until after the surgery.
"You walk into the well. Surgery And feeling you leave feeling like hell," she said. "It is too horrible even to explain it. But it's when you realize, if you do not start to fight, it is going to end there. And I'm not ready for it. "
Sara may have benefited from living in France, where there is universal health care system and in Bordeaux, where she lives within walking distance of one of the most advanced cancer centers in the countries. the cydoreductive surgery removed all the visible signs of cancer in the abdomen. the CHIP immediately involved pumping a solution heated chemotherapy to kill any remaining cancer cells before it is pumped back. the whole procedure took more than eight hours.
"I'm lucky, in a way. I get this crazy cancer, but the doctor who can save me is right down the street," she said. "My primary care physician told me he had never seen anyone with this disease before in his career, but my surgeon and the care I received was outstanding. It has been an incredible blessing for me. "
Sara spent over two weeks at the nearby hospital after surgery. When she left, she had a home care nurse visits every day for weeks. the alternative medicine, chiropractic care, massage and acupuncture were part of the package. It also believes it early, almost by accident diagnosis came only because doctors were so thorough. It was not a long process of the year, drawn-out diagnosis
"My sister (in the US) was diagnosed with cancer last year, and look at the care -. Or lack of care I should say - she received, there is no comparison, "said Sara. "I watched my own family in the states struggling with the issue of health care - my parents are elderly and not in real good health - and the system here is so much better. With the disease now, I'll probably never leave France. "
Optimism abounds
Although the majority of mesothelioma patients do not live beyond two years, Sara is so now optimistic she wants to have plastic surgery to help with scar surgery on his abdomen.
"My surgeon (Frédéric Guyon, MD) said at the outset,` we are all in this for the long term, "she said. "And that meant a lot to me. It really did. I do not know how many cases he has seen, but it was wonderful."
Because they lived so close to the hospital, Sara's children visited every day during his stay at the hospital, helping his boys to understand the process. They saw the steps closely.
"There is no way I'm going to believe that I have only two years, or five years left, as you always hear," she said. "Maybe because I am younger than the typical patient, that's why I'm so optimistic. When I was doing chemotherapy, it felt like I had been run over by a Mack truck, but you fight through this. you can survive and live your life . people should know that. "
