Before retirement, Joanne D. worked as manager of independent geriatric cases and several insurance companies health, spending much of his kind of professional life for others.
His work meant to help people in difficult times, give advice and guidance and ensure customers received the best care and the right course of treatment.
But in 09, when doctors told the 65 year-old native Oregon she had pleural mesothelioma, it wasn ?? t prepared to handle his own illness, as she did for her patients.
"When I was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, it was difficult. I cried a lot, "she said. "But I knew the ropes, and I am able to make better decisions for myself. It kind of pushed me."
After asking her questions that local doctors case manager could ask, she knew she was running for her life. But with the help of family and friends, and the comfort of the place she called home, Joanne was ready to fight.
Not Ready to Give Up
Two years after tying the knot in California, Joanne and her husband, Munroe, moved to Oregon in 1978 for a better quality of life.
large green trees, beautiful hills, lush forests and majestic mountains were some of the many advantages of Oregon who substituted winding roads not far from pristine sandy beaches.
Oregon is where Joanne calls home, and she is not ready to let go, not even with a rare cancer that comes with a poor prognosis and few treatment options.
"I may have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, but I will be a survivor of the disease. You can bet on that, "says Joanne.
Learn About his diagnosis of mesothelioma
In 08, she sought medical help for the pain she felt in her ribs and chest when she took deep breaths . She later developed a small pleural effusion and was treated with steroids and antibiotics. His diagnosis at the time: costochondritis ?? inflammation of a rib or cartilage connecting a rib.
A few months later, the fluid was aspirated and showed no cancer, but rather an inflammatory process, considered the Churg-Strauss syndrome.
Joanne saw many specialists to confirm this diagnosis, but no one could verify it.
symptoms escalated in October 09. CT scan showed suspicious areas on the left side of his chest, and doctors recommended that he undergo exploratory thoracoscopy with talc pleurodesis to stop the spillage.
pathology of this surgery in November 09 made the diagnosis of mesothelioma.
"He was the appointment the most depressing of my life. I might have guessed lung cancer, because I had been a smoker, but mesothelioma? No," said Joanne . "A cancer caused by exposure to asbestos wasn ?? not even on my radar. "
Seeking treatment
After his diagnosis, his team of local doctors wasn ?? t sure where to go for help or treatment.
the team led Joanne to hospitals in large cities that have more experience with mesothelioma. She went to the Brigham & Women's hospital in Boston, in the research of Dr. David Sugarbaker, who now runs the lung Institute at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.
Joanne willing to fly to Boston for evaluation, but it was harder than she thought, especially when it came to transfer her medical file to the desktop Sugarbaker ??.
"If I ?? didn t have a history as a case manager, I would have been completely lost on how to move forward, "she said.
Once Sugarbaker received the necessary documentation and ran its own diagnostic tests, diagnosed Joanne with early pleural mesothelioma stage. he suggested she seek a second opinion if she loved. Because Joanne was determined to beat cancer, she went to Houston for a second opinion before back to Brigham & Women's Hospital.
Subir multiple, complex therapies
in March 2010, Sugarbaker led pleurectomy which involved removing the lining of the right lung and of Joanne ?? rubbing his chest cavity. intrathoracic chemotherapy cavity Heated follow this treatment.
Joanne experienced a relapse two years later, and treated with surgery, which implied a wedge resection and removal of several ribs, and four cycles of Alimta and cisplatin chemotherapy.
few months later, the cancer returned. It has also developed more lesions in his lungs and a bit over his heart. Doctors treated the second recurrence with surgery.
"After each surgery or chemotherapy, it was felt that there was no sign of disease. Most of the time, there was still pain and discomfort. I would say that I had a good quality of life between the two surgeries, "said Joanne.
Joanne completed her most recent cycles of chemotherapy to fight against the resurgence ?? s cancer in December 2013. as a result of treatment, she experienced the exhausting fatigue, but now she says she feels more rested and there is no sign of recurrence. Although she returned to her doctor every 3 months for a PET scan . the next review is in October.
"This year, I hope to regain my strength and not have more recurrences so I'm able to walk and discover the world around me", they say . she "I will fight for the day when I return to my beautiful Oregon.??
An outpouring of love for Joanne's what goes through his daily: Good and bad. Friends and family continue to surround it with the same love and support they have offered the day she was diagnosed.
"The way she handles everything is just very impressive. She just has such a toughness about him, which is something I like about her, but when she needs me. I will do anything for her, "her husband, Munroe said. "We are a team, and we ?? re going to fight together."
