I expected to feel some pain and fatigue after my extrapleural pneumonectomy surgery. But I hadn’t fully anticipated how just when I needed more rest, my postoperative discomfort would make getting that much-needed rest so challenging. Rest is important as you prepare for surgery. Symptoms of pleural mesothelioma before surgery can make restful sleep challenging. Chest pain, coughing, night sweats, fever and difficulty breathing can all result in sleepless nights. Getting enough sleep is an especially important component in recovery from mesothelioma treatment. In my experience, getting enough ..read more

Peritoneal mesothelioma survivor Shaun Bigbie is no stranger to cancer. Doctors diagnosed 53-year-old Shaun with peritoneal mesothelioma in July 2023. Several years earlier, in 2017, doctors told him he had cancer in both kidneys. Before that diagnosis, he’s dealt with multiple cases of skin cancer. Following a doctor visit last year, Shaun learned he’s genetically predisposed to cancer. “When I went to see Dr. Dan Blazer at Duke Cancer Center, they took a [biopsy] from my kidney surgery, and they did a test on it. Come to find out that I possess a rare protein called BAP1, and what that means ..read more

How did you sleep last night? It’s the million-dollar question.  Proper sleep is crucial for your physical and mental health. I’m sure you’ve heard your doctor say time and time again to be sure to get enough sleep. But did you know that getting good sleep is essential to your healing journey?  While snoozing, your body is hard at work refreshing, replenishing and repairing itself. Your body makes new cells and tissues, eliminates waste and helps you remember things better.  I personally find this to be true. Brain fog is prevalent throughout my day if I don’t sleep well.  ..read more

Living in older apartment buildings in the U.S. may put you at higher risk of asbestos exposure. Asbestos, a natural mineral, was a popular building material because of its resistance to heat, electricity, and corrosion. Developers in the U.S. used asbestos throughout homes and apartments up until the 1980s, which is when its carcinogenic dangers gained notoriety. Asbestos exposure risk is higher in denser and older cities, including New York City, Philadelphia, and San Francisco, where there are many historically older apartment buildings and homes.  The toxic mineral is the primary caus ..read more

While asbestos is a known cause for adult diseases such as mesothelioma, could the toxic mineral affect a fetus? Reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explain that lead and mercury are the most harmful chemical elements for a fetus because they can travel in the mother’s blood and contaminate the placenta. Unlike lead and mercury, asbestos most often enters the body through the eyes, nose or throat, making asbestos exposure unlikely for a fetus, according to the California Department of Public Health. UK government agency Public Health England agrees: “Several experimenta ..read more

Kevin Hession says his mesothelioma diagnosis isn’t going to get in the way of what he plans to accomplish in the future. Despite his mesothelioma diagnosis in August 2021, he fully intends to achieve his goals. He tells us that one of his major plans is to travel the world. Kevin says he believes it’s important for every mesothelioma survivor to continue to live life to the fullest and plan ahead for special occasions.  “I think it’s very important to have goals,” Kevin shares with The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com. “My wife wanted to go to Rome. Well, last February we went to Rome ..read more

You’ve likely heard it said that every person is either going into a storm, is in the midst of a storm or they’re coming out of a storm. Most of us can easily relate in our own lives, but sometimes we forget that we don’t know what storms others are in right now. As we go through these storms in our lives, it can feel isolating and overwhelming. Being mindful that we’re all going through storms can help us remember to give each other, and ourselves, grace. Connecting with others facing similar storms can help us feel less alone. It’s an opportunity to support one another.  Through my writ ..read more

Behind the Mystery is a recurring segment on the Lifetime network that highlights rare and genetic diseases. The most recent episode with hosts Montel Williams and Olga Villaverde focused on mesothelioma and featured The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com, the nation’s most trusted mesothelioma resource.  Registered Nurse and Patient Advocate Karen Selby of The Mesothelioma Center, mesothelioma survivor Kim Madril and surgical oncologist Dr. Jacques Fontaine shared their expertise and unique perspectives on living with this rare malignant cancer. Only about 3,000 people are diagnose ..read more

Many mesothelioma patients receive chemotherapy treatments to destroy cancer cells. There are a number of side effects that are common while receiving chemo, some of which can be severe. But Kevin Hession says his treatments have gone very well for the past couple of years.  “Overall I’m extremely lucky or blessed or both that I still have all my hair,” Kevin told The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com. “I’ve actually gained weight. I didn’t lose it; I gained it. When I was diagnosed, I was 210 lbs. I’m now right around 230 lbs.” Kevin was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma in August 20 ..read more

When we’re diagnosed with an illness like mesothelioma, our immediate focus tends to be on the physical realities of our situation. We tend to be less consciously aware of our mental and spiritual states and their importance, at least in the beginning.  Whether we define our spiritual state in terms of our faith or our personal will, I personally believe it’s of the utmost importance to give attention to our mental and spiritual condition as well. Our emotions can be sitting on a ragged edge.  We know we can’t give in, but mesothelioma can put us to the test in every way imaginable ..read more