Mesothelioma Cancer Awareness

A message from our friends at http://www.asbestos.com/


Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer. One of the primary mesothelioma causes is asbestos exposure. The cancer develops in the mesothelium, a protective membrane that lines three body cavities: the thoracic cavity (pleura), abdominal cavity (peritoneum) and the heart sac (pericardium).

A mesothelioma patient’s prognosis, or the probable course and outcome of a disease’s influence on the body, is influenced by numerous factors. Since a mesothelioma diagnosis often occurs once the cancer has progressed to later stages of development, prognosis is typically poor. However if a patient is diagnosed before the cancer has spread or elects to undergo treatment to combat the cancer, their prognosis may improve.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring toxic mineral that was commonly used throughout the 20th century in thousands of products and many industries. Asbestos is naturally resistant to heat and fire, making it ideal for use in insulation. The mineral was often used in insulation and the fine, flexible fibers were frequently mixed with cement and woven into fabrics. Exposure to asbestos can result in the development of serious illnesses such as malignant mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis.







Saturday, July 11, 2009

I met with Dr. Baar yesterday and he was great! He's very nice and he gave me lots of hope. He told me that it seems like I respond very well to the treatment, he reassured me that I've been doing everything right so far, and that what comes next is up to me.

After he examined me he told me that the tumor has shrunk so much that I could just have a lumpectomy and not a mastectomy, if I choose to. I told him I don't ever want to have to deal with this again, so he agreed with me that the safest way to do this is to have a mastectomy.

He already has 17 women participating in his research, ( I couldn't start now since I have to be done with all my treatment first to qualify) but now he's starting a group of another 20 in January that will be his second group. He told me I'm a good candidate for that, and that in a way it will be better because he will already have some first results from the fist group and he'll know what to avoid, or change.

I had a great experience there. Everyone was so nice and efficient and the enviroment was so relaxing. I felt I was in good hands the entire time. I'm so glad I went and I had the opportunity to see how really good doctors who care can make a difference to their patients. You don't see that every day.
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