My name is Doug Dellinger, I live just outside of Salt Lake City, Utah. You may have seen me in several recent commercials as the self described "Face" of Mesothelioma. I truly hope and pray that the people that watch these short commercials realize that there is help available for those that take advantage of it.
Prior to my diagnosis, I came home from work on Sep 18th and found my wife lying dead on the kitchen floor. We were married over thirty-four years and had our ups and downs just like everyone else has had as well. I have two sons from a previous marriage (Sean and GW), and they both live in Georgia and have their own families as well. My deceased wife also was married before and was bless with two sons as well. Jason and Jeff are their names. Jason lives about 45 miles from where I do, and my son Jeff took his own life in October 2005. I also was blessed with another son with Debbie, He and his wife Mellissa now live with me to keep tabs on making sure I'm doing what I am supposed to be doing. Believe me they have their hands full and I sure am blesses to have them here.
I was then diagnosed with Malignant Mesothelioma on October 6, 2009. I'm letting you know this information not seeking sympathy but too let you all know we all go through good times and bad times throughout different stages of our lives.
The intranet has a lot of excellent information on it, so I went in just to find out what this Mesothelioma cancer was all about. I read three different stories on one web site (and I did really appreciate the stories I read), however, for the most part it scared the hell out of me. I then decided that everyone one is different, and what some people go through with their treatments react differently for all concerned. I did not want to plant a seed in my own mind, but would handle my disease one day at a time.
As of now I have had 7-CHEMO treatments, the last one was on 4 June 2010. Even with my first CHEMO I have had no ill side effects from the treatments. Other than some loss of energy and my golfing has gone downhill dramatically, but I still do the best that I can. Of course there are days that I feel like doing just nothing, other days I try to do too much, then I laying on the couch the next day trying to get my strength back. I know truly know my own limitations and I take a lot of small breaks when I do various tasks and it works great.
My nurse told me that the foods I used to love to eat may change in taste, so she said avoid these foods. To heck with that, the only item that tasted any different is when I cook lasagna; I found out that Garlic does not taste like Garlic, so therefore no Garlic for a while. I also still have all of my hair, and growing a goatee. Reason for this is I ride a Harley, and retired from the U.S. Army after 34 years and four months, retired 8 May 2008, First Sergeant (1SG/EG) so therefore I earned it.
On the other side of things, I certainly hope that those of you that have this same cancer as I do, learn how to become your own shrink. After all, we all know what makes us happy and what makes us sad. Then again there are things that we can't really control.
I am not a religious person per se, however I talk to my heavenly father several time per day. I don't ask him for much, but I do thank him for allowing me to put my feed upon the floor everyday that I awaken. Over the last few years I have told my children and wife that If I should pass-away tomorrow, "I have had a great life" I also told this to my Heavenly Father, and told him that if he believes it is my time to leave this earth as I know it, I wanted to let him know that there are some things that I would like to have done differently and I asked him for his forgiveness. Also, I told him that I hate no one and let him know that I am not afraid of dying, so it is up to him to decide when my time comes.
I wish all of you that read this letter appreciate some of the items that you are now reading and pick out something that may help you as well. I have a terrific support group (not only my immediately family) but friends in various states as well. Live for today because tomorrow is not here yet and yesterday is gone.
Your Friend,
Doug Dellinger