Today I am posting an article from a viewer of Lylahsdaddy.com who wanted to share her story with everyone! I think the article she wrote offers perspective about our closest loved ones, and the bonds we make daily, weekly, etc. I often reflect about how I am personally going through life and how quickly it is passing. To value friends and family, and laugh daily, seems to give purpose to me and bonds with those around me.
The story below was written by Heather, who contacted me about 2 weeks ago. Some pictures of her and her family are also attached. We have all known someone with cancer at some point in our lives. Heather, your story is a great reminder of the fragile balance of life, love, and our ultimate dependence on each other!
-MG
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How I Learned to Cope With a Mesothelioma Diagnosis
Everyone, at some point in their lives, is completely dependent on other people. This time requires people who care about you to help you through the tough times. Dependency will occur at different times for everyone, and my time, came when I was 36 and diagnosed with mesothelioma. Up until this point many things have gone well for me, including the birth of my daughter, Lily, on August 4, 2005, but these great moments were overshadowed by my diagnosis a few short months later.
I first noticed I was ill when I started losing five to seven pounds per week after I returned to work full-time. I was constantly fatigued, but I thought it was a result of being a new mom. When I couldn’t shake the feeling, I visited my doctor to get tested.
"I was diagnosed on November 21, 2005 with malignant pleural mesothelioma. The cancer affected the lining of my lung and was a result of asbestos exposure. I later learned that I had been exposed to asbestos as a child, and it didn’t develop into full-blown mesothelioma until 30 years later.
My prognosis was grim. I was told I would only have 15 months to live without treatment, but we wanted to take aggressive measures. On February 2, 2006, I received extrapleural pneumonectomy surgery, and my left lung was removed. After the surgery, I spent 18 days recovering. I also needed another two months in recovery before starting radiation and chemotherapy.
When I received my treatment in Boston, Lily traveled back with my mom to stay in South Dakota. The entire community pulled together to help care for Lily while I was recovering. The church and people I babysat as a child all volunteered to help with Lily while my parents worked. Meanwhile, I was in Boston with my own support system to help me cope with what I was going through.
While I was away, my daughter learned to eat food and began rolling around on her own. My mom sent me black and white copies of pictures to show me her progression. When I looked at these pictures, the nurses would always be over my should oohing and aahing at the photos with me. While I missed her so terribly, I knew that i needed to be away from her in order to still be here for her today. She was my reason for fighting so hard.
My parents bonded with Lily, and the bond remains despite the distance. My whole family cherishes moments together because we know how fragile life can be. I tell everyone, “Embrace all that life throws at you. Cancer is a funny thing. With the bad, comes a lot of good.” I learned to embrace the good and bad because the good that came from my experience far outweighs the bad."
Everyone, at some point in their lives, is completely dependent on other people. This time requires people who care about you to help you through the tough times. Dependency will occur at different times for everyone, and my time, came when I was 36 and diagnosed with mesothelioma. Up until this point many things have gone well for me, including the birth of my daughter, Lily, on August 4, 2005, but these great moments were overshadowed by my diagnosis a few short months later.
I first noticed I was ill when I started losing five to seven pounds per week after I returned to work full-time. I was constantly fatigued, but I thought it was a result of being a new mom. When I couldn’t shake the feeling, I visited my doctor to get tested.
"I was diagnosed on November 21, 2005 with malignant pleural mesothelioma. The cancer affected the lining of my lung and was a result of asbestos exposure. I later learned that I had been exposed to asbestos as a child, and it didn’t develop into full-blown mesothelioma until 30 years later.
My prognosis was grim. I was told I would only have 15 months to live without treatment, but we wanted to take aggressive measures. On February 2, 2006, I received extrapleural pneumonectomy surgery, and my left lung was removed. After the surgery, I spent 18 days recovering. I also needed another two months in recovery before starting radiation and chemotherapy.
When I received my treatment in Boston, Lily traveled back with my mom to stay in South Dakota. The entire community pulled together to help care for Lily while I was recovering. The church and people I babysat as a child all volunteered to help with Lily while my parents worked. Meanwhile, I was in Boston with my own support system to help me cope with what I was going through.
While I was away, my daughter learned to eat food and began rolling around on her own. My mom sent me black and white copies of pictures to show me her progression. When I looked at these pictures, the nurses would always be over my should oohing and aahing at the photos with me. While I missed her so terribly, I knew that i needed to be away from her in order to still be here for her today. She was my reason for fighting so hard.
My parents bonded with Lily, and the bond remains despite the distance. My whole family cherishes moments together because we know how fragile life can be. I tell everyone, “Embrace all that life throws at you. Cancer is a funny thing. With the bad, comes a lot of good.” I learned to embrace the good and bad because the good that came from my experience far outweighs the bad."
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