Category: Faces of Mesothelioma

‘Hellos from Heaven’ Keep Me Going
In the middle of the night last night, I woke up and instantly began to cry. My husband asked me what was wrong and I answered, “It was Dad.” In my dream, my Dad was here, but we didn’t know for how long. He was singing with his band. The song was a song about faith, one that I had never heard before, but it was complete in my dream. The image and sounds are embedded into my brain.
I then went in to check on our two month old baby girl and I began to cry all over again. She looks just like Dad and sometimes, when I look into her eyes, it’s like he’s staring back at me. A flood of emotions overtook me; they were a combination of sadness, love, and gratitude.
Even though the sting of losing Dad remains with me at all times, reminders like those I experienced last night reaffirm that he’s always with me. These little miracles tend to bring me to tears at first, but once I regain my strength, I am so grateful to have them.
They always say that God works in mysterious ways, ways that we have no way of understanding. Perhaps it’s the mystery of these unexpected “Hellos from Heaven” that astound me the most. I believe that God provides these gifts to show us His love, that His hand is in everything.
Dad always talked about the beauty of the world and everyday life. What may seem like an ordinary day is full of wonder and miracles. We just need to open our eyes to see them. So many times, we are too busy with the hustle and bustle that we forget to stop and look around. Even when he was feeling his worst, Dad reminded me that there was good in every situation.
Time is not guaranteed to any of us, and it is important to recognize that. Life is too short to spend it being inconsiderate or rude. There are far too many chances to be kind; take them. Find the good, and when you get a “Hello from Heaven” be sure to take a minute and cherish it.
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Resolve to Support the Mesothelioma Community in 2015
The new year inevitably brings with it New Year’s resolutions. Some people resolve to help others – what a great idea! Here are five ways that you can help the mesothelioma community, advocating for patients and their families, and honoring those who have lost their fight.
- Hold a fundraiser! It can be anything from a collection day to a 5k walk and run; trust me, it doesn’t have to be anything elaborate. Hosting an event raises both awareness and funds for mesothelioma research and support.
- Attend a conference! Each year, the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation holds a conference where personal stories, new research information, and general knowledge is shared. This is a great way to connect with others and to learn more about the disease that you can share.
- Talk to people! Tell your story. Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to let people know how mesothelioma has impacted your life. This can encourage them to get involved and help the cause as well.
- Write to your local representatives. Find out who your local representative is and write to them, asking for stricter laws regarding asbestos – ask for it to be made illegal as it is in many other countries. Talk to your friends and relatives and urge them to do the same.
- Pray! Prayer is powerful – never underestimate it. Keep those battling this disease and those close to them in your prayers. It means more to them than you know.
Enjoy 2015! Let’s make this the year where a cure is found and this awful cancer can be eradicated forever!

Give Up the Doubting to Find Peace
My father lost his battle with mesothelioma on October 15, 2013. When he passed away, I instantly started thinking about what more I could have done to help him. Was there another treatment we didn’t know about? Did he need something that we weren’t able to give him? After a long time, I found peace in knowing that we honestly did everything that we could and that Dad knew and appreciated that. Finding a sense of forgiveness in myself took some time.
It’s easy to place blame on yourself when you lose somebody you love to cancer, or wonder whether you could have done more to help them. Could I have recognized the symptoms sooner? Did I do enough research? Was the treatment enough or the right one? Did I do everything in my power to prevent losing him?
Unfortunately, these questions can cause you a lot of pain and heartache, but I think that the “what-ifs” are a natural reaction and part of grief. However, the wondering won’t get you anywhere. It will take time, but it’s important to realize that your love and support were enough for your loved one.
In my Dad’s case, all he wanted was for us to spend time together and to know how much he loved us. We never doubted that love for one second and we know that he felt ours in return. These are the important thoughts and memories that will allow you to eventually look back with a smile and know that your love carried them through and that they will never be forgotten.
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Turn Gossip into an Opportunity to Advocate for Mesothelioma Patients
People talk. It’s what we do. We discuss the weather, current events, and even each other. That’s where things can start to get out of control. An innocent conversation can spiral into a story that is far from the truth. People feel that they have the right to share details that may have been told in confidence. But that information can be misinterpreted and gossip begins to run rampant.
Since my Dad’s battle with mesothelioma, I have found myself to be fiercely protective of the ins and outs of my life, only sharing details with close family members and friends. Since mesothelioma is such a rare disease, the details of this ailment lends itself to confusion; however, hearing things about yourself and your family that simply aren’t true is a painful experience, and one that should never happen.
Words have the power to build up and to tear down. They can mend relationships or break them apart. We need to be increasingly mindful of the power of words, especially in such sensitive situations as a medical diagnosis.
If you find yourself in a situation where information about you or your loved one has been misconstrued, do your best to see it as an opportunity to educate and advocate. Maybe this is a chance to share your true story that could eventually help someone else. This could be the eye-opener that causes someone to ponder the dangers of asbestos. Use this unfortunate event as a catalyst for change.

Don’t Forget the Spirit of Christmas and the Hope It Brings
It’s hard to believe that 2014 is already coming to a close. This year saw my first full year without my Dad. As we come to the Christmas season, it is, once again, a time to reflect on the memories and love that he left behind.
Last year, the pain of losing my father was excruciatingly fresh. I was still in shock and unsure about how I would carry on without having him here with me. Now, the pain still remains and I often question how it is possible to live a “normal” life after losing Dad, but this year I realize that I have had some time to reflect on the entire journey that he had with mesothelioma.
Dad’s mesothelioma story is one of sadness, followed by a miracle and joy. It is a tale riddled with highs and lows, but always full of love and hope. This love and hope is what Christmas is all about. As we celebrate the birth of Jesus, it is important to also hold our loved ones close and remember all of the good that is in this world. It is easy to get caught up in the commercial side of the season, but remember the true reason.
Dad was so much more than this terrible disease. He embodied the Christmas spirit every day of his life. Spreading happiness, being generous, and loving with his whole heart, my father lived this message. Enjoy this beautiful time of year and remember that Jesus is the reason for the season. Merry Christmas!
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Free Mesothelioma Patient & Treatment Guide
We’d like to offer you our in-depth guide, “A Patient’s Guide to Mesothelioma,” absolutely free of charge.
It contains a wealth of information and resources to help you better understand the condition, choose (and afford) appropriate treatment, and exercise your legal right to compensation.
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