Slow does not contribute to Angela W. feel better. Speeding does.
Angela, who was first diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma just after the day last spring of the mother has returned to work four months ago, recognizing that grueling chemotherapy had ended, and the last trial began.
Angela, 44, is the Chief Operating a small business development workforce near Lansing, Michigan. She is preparing to expand its workload again typical 40-hour week to 50 hours and beyond.
"It is time to write grant, a busy time, an important moment for us," said Angela, whose name is being withheld on privacy. "We are a small company, so all the world has many functions, and everyone has to turn up a notch. me included. "
atypical mesothelioma patients
Angela was an atypical mesothelioma patient, hoping that it continues this way with a cancer that has no cure and a poor prognosis.
She is much younger than most people who have this disease. As a woman, she is also in the minority, too. And is neither a military veteran or former construction worker.
After being diagnosed with mesothelioma, it has not managed to qualify for the surgery because of the way the cancer had spread.
"When I first heard the diagnosis, my first thought was like a large number of cancer patients, 'Let's reduce it out, we will do the surgery right away," she said Asbestos.com. "Then I learned it was not possible. They said that the risk of having a lung removed just was not worth the reward. it was the hardest thing I've heard. "
so she kept making plans.
She has a high school diploma in June for the second of three children. There is a camping trip with family to Upper Peninsula (August) of Michigan, the National Women's Conference in Indianapolis (September), and the Church Conference in Nashville (October).
And he is to make the always-tough proposals subsidies are properly to keep the business thriving.
"I do not really have time to be sick right now," she said only half-jokingly. "There is too much in my life to do. I'm not happy when I'm stuck in the house with TV and radio. I make plans to do what I always do the best of my ability until I can not do those things. "
The treatment of mesothelioma at the University of Michigan
Angela made the 0 minutes drive from the University of Michigan Cancer Center for a scanner, laboratory tests and a check- up every three weeks, taking his daily Cediranib, part of a clinical trial for mesothelioma.
most everything is back to normal in his life generally hectic. it is active in the church again, Relay team captain for life. it takes a Zumba class, joining the fitness-dance craze in Latin inspiration. She heard all the grim story about pleural mesothelioma, but opted to block most.
"I think sometimes people know too much. I do not want to hear bad news, "she said." I do not feel sorry for myself. There is a process in my life that are not very different from testing other people walk. My faith plays a huge role in this field. I have a wonderful family and a wonderful church to support me. "
Keeping a positive attitude is a priority for Angela, firmly believing it essential to his therapy, understand that its own immune system works best when the stress is kept to a minimum. There is a history of cancer in her family, and a history of fighting.
She was 16 when her mother was diagnosed with lymphoma. His mother now lives, providing support that only a mother can. Her husband Matt and children are there too.
Cancer Support in the Office
There are a surprising common ground in his office, where four out of 12 workers are cancer survivors. Her boss has already worked with the American Cancer Society. Together, they engage each other with stories.
Just before his last visit to UM Cancer Center, Angela had her hair, and she liked the new style. So when the doctor's assistant came into the waiting room and said, "It looks great," she smiled, and thanked her for the compliment on her new look.
Turns out, the wizard was referring to the latest Scanner. The tumor in his chest had fallen. They were laughing about the misunderstanding.
"As with any cancer patient, there are days when you are not on top of the world, but the point is not to stay there, keep moving", they say she. "You can not sit and wait for something to happen. You can not dwell on that. "
Angela does not know how she got mesothelioma, which is caused by exposure to asbestos. This could have been the summer job while she was in college, working for a chemical company.
He could have ceiling tiles in his college dorm room, where she had an upper bunk on the year. his father had worked in the same chemical company for 30 years .
"At this stage, which is really important to us," she said. "I get the best treatment is there. And I believe that everything that enters the life of a person, there is a reason for this. All that God has in mind. My age, and general health is very good. And the medication that I take seems to work. "
Angela did not spend much time worrying about his future. It is more concerned with how it affected her family.
" It is a bit difficult for them, but at the same time, I am proud and humbled by their reaction. They have done their homework, "she said. "For now, we are looking from day to day, just to keep going, and keep doing it."
