MesoCare.org - My Dad was just diagnosed

Steve D

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My Dad was just diagnosed
Jan 17^th, 2010 at 7:40pm

Hi,
My dad was just diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma. He is 83 and no treatment is recommended. We were shocked since he was pretty healthy and had no obvious exposure to asbestos that we ever knew of. However, he was in the Navy in WWII and we suspect that may be the source. I'm hoping to learn about this to help my mother and father as best as possible. I understand the prognosis is not good.
Steve D

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nls

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Re: My Dad was just diagnosed
Reply #1 - Jan 17^th, 2010 at 10:17pm

Hi Steve,
I'm so sorry to hear of your dad's diagnosis. How are your parents holding up? HOw are you holding up? I'll never forget getting "the call" from my parents one night in January, 2008 with the same news, pleural mesothelioma. We were in shock for a while, but this forum helped me gather some important information about this cancer. A lot of people here can give you good, sound advice. Ask LOTS of questions. Good luck and God bless!
Nancy

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Emily

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Re: My Dad was just diagnosed
Reply #2 - Jan 19^th, 2010 at 7:09am

My Jim was diagnoised last year with pleural mesothelioma. He is 67 and we too cannot figure out where he got it, it was in Vietnam though. I believe I have heard that 30% of the people with this cancer had been in the military. I saw next to a gentleman last week at NIH in Bethesday who was just diagnoised and he I belive could have been in his 80's too. Good luck and God Bless.

Emily

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« Last Edit: Jan 20^th, 2010 at 8:57am by Forum Admin »

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Steve D

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Re: My Dad was just diagnosed
Reply #3 - Jan 19^th, 2010 at 8:09pm

Emily/nls,

Thank you for your kind words. My mom is doing well and so am I. I spoke with my mom and dad tonight. I never realized how good it is to speak with my dad while he's still alive and able to talk to me. We meet with the doctor on the 25th and will get more information. I will keep you posted but your thoughts mean a great deal to me. It is comforting to be able to speak with someone who has gone through this experience, although I am very sorry that you are also having to deal with this disease. Steve

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Emily

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Re: My Dad was just diagnosed
Reply #4 - Jan 20^th, 2010 at 4:22pm

Steve, we are also grateful to have a venue to discuss this disease. We are now attempting to see if Jim could qualify for a gene therapy protocol at University of Penn Hospital in Philadelphia. If not he will start chemotherapy. Keep in touch, this is a rare cancer and I have learned so much on these web sites. God Bless you and your dear father.

Emily

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« Last Edit: Jan 27^th, 2010 at 9:09pm by Forum Admin »

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Steve D

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Re: My Dad was just diagnosed
Reply #5 - Feb 9^th, 2010 at 9:35pm

Emily,

I wish you and Jim all the best on treatment. I'll be thinking of you and praying things go as well as they can. My dad has been doing ok but he's depressed and it's hard to keep his spirits up with such a poor prognosis. I'm hoping when the weather gets better and he can get out of the house that will help (we live in NY). Steve

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Emily

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Re: My Dad was just diagnosed
Reply #6 - Feb 10^th, 2010 at 7:27am

Hi Steve,

Well, Jim did not qualify for the gene therapy clinical trial at University of Penn (his antibodies were too high), so he is now receiving chemotherapy here in Carlisle. It is hard not to be depressed, but tell your father never to give up hope. Doctors don't know how long a person will live, the mind and the immune system do work well together. It is important to take it one day at a time. I don't think your father is too old to have chemotherapy, but it would be his decision to make. Jim is now receving Gemzar (which helps with the symptons) and carboplatin. I am not sure where your father lives or what doctors he has spoken with, there are a lot of doctors who are not experienced with this disease. Please let me know how you all are doing.
God bless,
Emily

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marilyn fake

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Re: My Dad was just diagnosed
Reply #7 - Feb 15^th, 2010 at 8:51pm

Hi Steve and Emily,
My name is Marilyn, I am the patient advocate for this site. My husband of 36 years, Billy, died from plueral mesothelioma March 7, 2009. He lived for a little over 4 years after his diagnosis. He was 56 when he died. He was a boilermaker for 35 years and we assume that is where he got his exposure. Trying to figure out the why's and wherefores of this disease will drive you and your families crazy. The exposure could have come from so many differnt places. I encourage you both to go to our facebook page, Mesothelioma Patient Care and you can find my story about how we dealth with this for the 4 years that Billy was sick. I have a commercial running nationwide right now, on Dish Network and Direct TV. I am here for you to help with questions about this disease. Please know that our organization is very helpful for everyone in the meso community. My prayers to both of you.
Marilyn

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Steve D

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Re: My Dad was just diagnosed
Reply #8 - Apr 17^th, 2010 at 8:57am

Emily,

I haven't been online for a while so I apologize for not replying. I'm sorry to hear about Jim and I hope the chemo helps without making him too ill. We are in NY and my dad's doctor seems pretty knowledgeable about the disease but I'm sure there would be other opinions on whether chemo is appropriate. Given what I have read, my father's age and his weak state right now, I'm satisifed that the best we can do is enjoy his time here and keep him comfortable and able to get out for as long as possible. What I am scare of is what is to come for my dad, and my mom.
Thanks for taking time to respond and my thoughts and prayers go to you and Jim and the other families dealing with this. Steve

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Katy YaBB Newbies Offline I Love YaBB 2.4! Posts: 1	Re: My Dad was just diagnosed Reply #9 - Apr 21^st, 2010 at 5:26am My husband was recently diagnosed with Mesothelioma. He is 75 years old. We will be meeting with the doctor today to discuss treatment. We have no idea where he was exposed to asbestos really; we just know he was.
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Emily

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Re: My Dad was just diagnosed
Reply #10 - Apr 23^rd, 2010 at 7:32pm

Steve, I just wanted to tell you I lost my Jim to mesothelioma, this last Sunday, April 18th. I am devastated. And determined to do what I can in the future to assist either people with this disease or push for more funding for grants to find a cure. There needs to be more awareness of Mesothelioma. God Bless you and your father and mother.

Emily

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ltara

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Re: My Dad was just diagnosed
Reply #11 - May 16^th, 2010 at 12:01am

Hi, I am glad I found this site from Face Book, my dad was diagnosed a year ago in May of 09 I never thought my dad would have to face this will nobody should, they gave him a year and he's still keeps going, they sure put the body through allot, I feel for each and every one of you I have done allot of online reading on this, there is help for the patient going through this but I am looking for information more for the care giver's, like my dad said it's hard on the person that has this disease but even harder on the ones that have to care for them it's just my mom and I. If anyone has any advice or information that would be great. Your all in prayer's and thank you for your time.

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Steve D

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Re: My Dad was just diagnosed
Reply #12 - Jul 26^th, 2010 at 7:41pm

I just wanted to let you know my dad died on Friday July 16th at home. While it was very hard to let him go, we were praying that he would go peacefully at the end and he did. Hospice was great and I don't believe my dad had any significant discomfort or pain at the end. While I'm sure each case is different, I was very worried about this so please take some comfort in my father's experience and I hope the same is true for others. He really was just bed ridden the last week of his life so we are grateful and we enjoyed the time we had together. Steve

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Emily YaBB Newbies Offline I Love YaBB 2.4! Posts: 42 Carlisle PA Gender:	Re: My Dad was just diagnosed Reply #13 - Jul 28^th, 2010 at 6:55pm Steve, I am very sorry in the loss of your beloved father. He died almost three months to the day my Jim did. And Jim passed peacefully too. I just miss him terribly though. God bless you and your mother, Emily
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Charles YaBB Administrator Offline Posts: 17	Re: My Dad was just diagnosed Reply #14 - Aug 3^rd, 2010 at 9:35am We are very sorry to hear about your Dad, Steve. You have had lots of prayers coming your way from the members of MesoCare, please let us know if there is anything else that you or your family needs. Charles@mesocare.org
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