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