Dr. Berlinda Love, a pastor and podcaster, just received a diagnosis of epithelioid mesothelioma in June 2024. The 71-year-old spiritual leader went to her doctor because of a nagging cough she’d been dealing with for quite a while.  “I had been having really bad coughs and wheezing and it had been going on for a while,” Berlinda tells us. “I had gone to the doctor and they said it’s probably just allergies. We have a lot of cases of allergies here in Georgia this time of year.”  She knew something wasn’t right, though. Despite exams and test results that didn’t find anything, she sa ..read more

It can be challenging to ask for help when as a society we often prioritize self-sufficiency above self-care. However, there can be serious downsides to not accepting help, particularly for mesothelioma survivors.  Trying to do too much physically after a procedure or mesothelioma surgery can cause you harm. If you don’t follow your healthcare team’s recommendations to avoid driving or lifting heavy items, it can cause complications and a longer recovery time.  If you use your limited energy doing chores like laundry, mowing the lawn or running errands, you may feel too fatigued to d ..read more

Joey Barna places all of the credit with God for his current condition and for finding his wife. He says his faith in God is the most important thing in his life.  “It’s part of my moral compass,” Joey shares. “It’s what directs me.”  He was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma in 2018 after experiencing trouble breathing and fluid on his lungs. Six years after aggressive pleurectomy and decortication surgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Joey dealt with serious side effects from his chemotherapy and immunotherapy. At 61-years-old, he says he feels great now.  Joey t ..read more

Most people with mesothelioma feel symptoms of anxiety from time to time. Studies show between 10% and 30% of cancer patients experience the frequency or intensity of anxiety symptoms to meet criteria for an anxiety disorder diagnosis such as generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder or post traumatic stress disorder. Those with more advanced types or stages of cancer and those whose treatments aren’t effective are at higher risk of experiencing symptoms of anxiety.  When we feel threatened with harm our body activates its fight, flight or freeze response. This response gives us the st ..read more

This blog is Part 2 of a series on the relationship between nutrition, mental health and mesothelioma treatment. Read Part 1: Can Ultra Processed Foods Affect My Mesothelioma Treatment? Looking at the relationship between diet and emotions for mesothelioma patients, it’s important to consider the specific challenges they face while going through active treatment. Patients may be in active treatment for mesothelioma for weeks, months or even indefinitely, which can be stressful and emotionally overwhelming. Mesothelioma treatment can include surgery, chemotherapy, immunotherapy or radiation the ..read more

Jennifer Deems’ husband Daniel was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma in 2016. Most mesothelioma patients are diagnosed when they’re between ages 75 and 79, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, nearly 3 years after Daniel’s diagnosis, he died at the age of 45. Jennifer was there taking care of Daniel throughout his entire mesothelioma journey. She was his primary caregiver and also cared for their children. “We had a lot going on in our home at that time – not just with his health, but with my youngest son needing a lot of attention and a lot of therapies ..read more

For many years, asbestos was a popular material used for the construction of homes and buildings because the mineral is resistant to electricity, heat and corrosion. It can exist in many parts of a home, including walls, pipes, insulation, cement, floor tiles, paint and roofing shingles. Homes built before the 1980s may expose homeowners and their families to the toxic mineral. If asbestos fibers become airborne they can be ingested or inhaled, which can lead to inflammation or a number of asbestos-related diseases. Asbestos exposure is also the primary cause of mesothelioma. While asbestos is ..read more

Jennifer Deems’ life changed forever in 2016. Her husband, Daniel, was in a motorcycle accident that crushed the left side of his body. He was 43 years old. “They had to do emergency surgery,” Jennifer tells The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com. “When they went in to do the surgery, that’s when they found some cancer. They weren’t sure exactly what it was at that point.”  After spending several weeks in the hospital, including 2 weeks in intensive care, Daniel saw medical oncologist Dr. Tirrell Johnson at UF Health Cancer Center at Orlando Health. That’s when he was diagnosed with pleu ..read more

On Tuesday, July 16, at 6 p.m. ET, The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com will host a webinar open to all peritoneal mesothelioma patients, their families and caregivers. Our webinar will focus on the latest treatment advances and clinical trials for peritoneal mesothelioma in 2024. Only 1 out of 5 mesothelioma cases are the peritoneal type, which develops in the abdomen. Peritoneal mesothelioma affects the tissue lining, surrounding and connecting sensitive organs, such as the liver and kidneys, called the peritoneum. Dr. Edward Levine, a nationally recognized HIPEC specialist, will discuss ..read more

Since being diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma in 2016 and undergoing chemotherapy treatments, Epifanio Figueroa tells The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com that nutrition and exercise are more important to him now than ever.  “After you recover you realize that you have to make some changes in your life. My wife and I decided that we needed to change the amount of food we ate and what we ate. I’m not saying I’m a vegan, but we could say we’re almost vegetarian,” Epifanio shared. The 8-year survivor says he recognizes the many benefits of exercise, which include increased strength ..read more