Self-portrait of Jacob H. speaks volumes about his attitude toward the diagnosis of peritoneal mesothelioma, he received in 2010.
Jacob called it "Jake the Invincible," a caricature of him standing triumphantly on top of mesothelioma carnage that was to crush it, much like it has so many others.
he refused to wave a white flag of surrender.
Everything else would be a surprise to those who know the fitness buff strong will that was played rugby as recklessly as he never was not long before his diagnosis.
it stands proud and challenge in the portrait, rising above the rubble including a bloody sword, an RIP tombstone, skeleton arm and snakes that come after him. His arms are raised in victory, a Baltimore Orioles baseball cap atop his head.
"If the mesothelioma would take me down, he was going to have a hell of a fight on his hands. That's a promise," said Jacob in a recent telephone interview with Asbestos.com his home in Maryland. "I'll go down swinging, I know. He did not hit me with the first punch, so now it's my turn, and I'm going to get as strong as I can be. "
Surgery and a survival strategy
T-shirt he wears comes with an inscription: I Survived
Jacob 60, is a survivor of inspiration, a testament to the "quality of life" specially appointed treatment regimen promoted by "the Works. surgeon oncologist Richard Alexander, MD, at Greenebaum Cancer Center of the University.
the six-hour surgery removed his peritoneum, spleen and appendix and part of his liver and colon, maybe Jacob reversed temporarily, but it left him more determined than ever.
"I doc said that while he was there under the hood, it might also want to change the oil because I have a few miles left on these tires, "said Jacob, whose name is being withheld life private.
"it was more difficult for my family to be me. I know that for my three children, and they are all grown up, that was the only time in their lives they had never seen them father, flat on his back, incapacitated. that was when it hit home for everyone. But as I said, it (mesothelioma) was just a curve ball. If you play in the big leagues, you have to learn to hit the curve. Anyone can hit a fastball. "
Recognizing his good fortune
Although Jacob joking about his illness now it includes lucky he is. He was younger ?? and considerably stronger physically ?? most are first diagnosed. This gives it a significant advantage in the fight against cancer off.
Working in the medical profession, he also knew the routine. He knew the surgeons, oncologists, radiologists, and nurses who treated patients with mesothelioma at the University of Maryland.
He just never thought it would be to know the way.
Jacob biomedical imaging engineer for Siemens Corp., increased from peers patient with his diagnosis. He came from a doctor / friend, who almost started crying when he delivered the news.
"I say to some of them, I've never asked for a favor, but I have one now. 'I think I'm in the profession helped me understand everything clearly, and this helped me through this. I'm sure I'm the best care possible, "said Jacob." I work side by side with some of these guys (doctors). And I always said, "They put their pants on the same way I do, except they have a little more change in their pockets. "
never spent much time thinking about where he was exposed asbestos that caused his mesothelioma. There have been a number of places.
He served in the army from 1970 to 1978 and lived in military housing that was loaded with asbestos. His father was a man of the Navy and worked amongst asbestos fibers for years, bringing home on his clothes.
Jacob then worked at General Electric for nearly 20 years. His work with medical equipment from Siemens included a lot of time in older hospitals around the Baltimore / Washington, those filled with asbestos that was so prevalent in the 20th century.
Exercise and Key
supplyinstead of wondering where and how, Jacob focused on the future and what kind of treatment he wanted. He consulted several doctors before settling on Alexander. Before and after surgery, he ate healthier. He worked more than he ever did. Less than three months after surgery, he returned to work, maintenance of imaging equipment in hospitals in the region.
His rugby playing days are over, so now he is coach. He still works regularly cuts the grass at home and concedes little cancer remaining in his abdomen. Her regular checkups with Alexander went from every three months to every six months. The latter was particularly encouraging.
"He thinks I'm going to be around a long time now," said Jacob. "I do not know, maybe I'm not smart enough to know that I'm sick. But now I feel healthy. I am happy, and I'm healing."
Alexander its often with newly diagnosed mesothelioma patients talk with Jacob, who happily offer advice. Too often, however, Jacob heard about a patient who gave up before even finding a doctor as Alexander specializes in mesothelioma, a rare cancer with different subtleties of others.
"Everyone goes through the initial anger, hurt, resentment, why-me phase. I was scared to death going in, "he said." But there is hope out there. I tell people, whatever they do, do not give up. Find a specialist that you are comfortable with. I stifled just talk about what Dr. Alexander and his team have done for me. "
Jacob spent two weeks this month in Germany, he sent by Siemens for more training with the latest equipment it will serve. His routine has changed little over the past month. he sees the same doctors, nurses and radiologists, he lives as a patient.
But it feels more like a pair yet once.
he is proud to be a survivor of mesothelioma.
"I believe in myself and I believe in the power of miracles," he said. "people need understand progress has been made in this area. And every day there is a miracle waiting to happen. "
are you inspired by Jacob? Would you like to share your story of hope with us? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook.
