Asbestosis Survival Stories That Beat the Odds Living With Mesothelioma and Leaving the Statistics

Mesothelioma is a deadly cancer. Statistics ondeadly asbestos disease. Stephen J. Gould, a
asbestos diseases show the odds for living morewell-known Popular Science magazine contributor,
than a few years after diagnosis of the cancerbiologist and historian lived 20 years past his
are slim. But some people beat the odds.mesothelioma diagnosis. Craig Kozicki, a chemical
Mesothelioma patients know death is imminentengineer was diagnosed in 1998 at the age of 42.
– with or without cancer. But statistics onHe is alive and well today, almost ten years later,
the incurable nature of mesothelioma brings thesharing his story to give hope to patients who are
fearful immanency of death too close forshrouded in darkness with the bleak statistics of
comfort. Early cancer diagnosis improves thesurvival rates. Librarian Bonnie Anderson was
chances of eradicating asbestos-instigated tumors,diagnosed in 2001 and is alive and active today.
but most doctors will still testify that the chancesKendra Ferreira, an artist and mother of 3, was
of eradicating the disease after diagnosis at anydiagnosed around the same time. Although tired,
stage is slim to none. The cancer cells simplyshe is caring for her family and working today.
grow back.Everyone does not die from mesothelioma.
For some asbestos cancer patients, the statisticsIn all the survival stories, patients did not limit
ring true. For a select few, the statistics onthemselves to one prognosis, one treatment
mesothelioma and asbestosis made them fightmethod, or one opinion. Heavy research was
harder to live – driving an insatiable desiredone, multiple doctors were questioned and
to learn every medical term and every treatmentmultiple treatments were evaluated. The patients
option, along with the details and outcomes offaced obstacles with family, health insurance and
clinical trials and medical experiments that werefinances – yet they continued seeking
constantly evolving around the world. Drive andoriginal and alternative ways to finding solutions to
logic mixed with faith and luck – andtheir problems. Family support, support from
maybe mixed with a few good genes andstrangers, fundraising and benefits contributed to
excellent medical care – addedmany success stories. Hope contributed to all
unprecedented months and years onto the lives– and today these survivors continue to
of a lucky few.share their stories for the benefit of other cancer
Paul Kraus, a current author on survivingpatients. What is original about these stories? Not
asbestos-related cancer, has thus far lived tenall of these patients were exposed to asbestos.
years since recovery – he credits hisSome success stories are from women
research, diet and alternative treatment choices.substantially younger than classical textbook
Karen Grant, a current broadcaster on survivingcases, yet others are a prime example of a
cancer and one of the youngest mesotheliomaclassical case of the asbestos cancer.
patients, has had her tumor completely removedMesothelioma is not always fatal – years
and no longer undergoes chemotherapy. Jodi Page,can be added on to the months of the original
another young woman, has also been free forprognosis. The disease is rare. It is not easily
years after a lung removal. Richard Archer, adiscovered. Most doctors have not experienced
former asbestos worker, was originally told hefirst-hand diagnosis or treatment of a
would never see another Christmas. He got themesothelioma patient. The patient must take their
greatest Christmas gift of all – living to seelife into their own hands and direct their
years of more Christmases withouttreatment. They must be strong in a time of
chemotherapy.searing depression and despair. There is hope and
Clinical trials are responsible for many life-savingthere is a chance to shun statistics and live the
and life-changing events. Karen Marcum, 65 waslife that was meant to be. Just stop searching for
saved by a virus therapy, Bunny Morrow, 72,statistics, and start searching for solutions.
credits gene therapy to saving her from the