Change in my life: Mesothelioma cancer at age 51
I am Peter Smith, a retired ‘Mechanical Engineer’ from Alabama. In 1996, at the age of 51, I felt a protuberance from my navel and decided to go to the doctor due to this strange feeling that had occurred. Under his observation, there has been diagnosed an umbilical hernia and I was asked to go to the surgeon for immediate consultation. While the surgeon carried out the routine task, he noticed something that should not be; a large volume of fluid that had been leaking from my abdominal cavity.
Immediately, tests were carried out and he disclosed that I had wide-ranging tumors, which were growing on the lining of my abdominal wall. He also disclosed that the tumors were at a high stage, and asked me to go for more tests.
As I went to the pathologists for more tests, the subsequent reports showed that I had been suffering from Mesothelioma, an asbestos-related cancer. The doctors told me that this cancer occurs either in the lungs or in the abdomen and the symptoms were found in my abdomen. They stated that this might have occurred due to the asbestos particles, which I might have caught during the time of my working life.
Asbestos:
They are the basic cause of mesothelioma. It is an industrial term derived from mining and manufacturing material of asbestiform habit.The news that I had acquired a form of cancer was shocking not only for my wife, but my children as well. Yet, they stood brave enough to support me and to tell me never to lose hope and go for as best treatment that there was available.
I was asked by the doctors for further tests to confirm the cancer and its spread. A CT scan was suggested as the best form of testing.
CT scan when diagnosed with cancer
CT scan stands for Computerized Tomography scan and is sometimes called CAT scan. It’s basically a scan that takes pictures of the body and utilizes the computer to amalgamate them. This is a computerized scan using X-rays. CT scan is mostly done for chest and abdomen problems and if there might be any abnormal swelling in body organs or lymph nodes, they can be visualized by CT scan.
My faith in Mesothelioma Treatment:
I made up my mind to fully follow doctor’s instructions and guidance and thus, I started to care about everything in my lifestyle, which varied from my diet to just about everything in my schedule!
As for the diet, I started to have ‘anti-cancer’ diet which includes:
- Plenty of fruit and vegetables(mostly organic)
- Plenty of whole foods which specially include grains, nuts and rice.
In short, I became a vegetarian.
My personal attempts for mesothelioma cancer treatment:
I started to undertake a deep study of cancer and its treatment methods and procedures. Other than that, I also started to read inspirational books which guided me to balance my life and pull me away from anxiety that had started creeping in gradually.
|
I knew I was fighting against a tough disease and this made me more aggressive against my disease but I kept a firm belief in my treatment and now I am still alive after all these years when I was told I only had a few months to live.
I am not free of cancer but it doesn’t disturb me at all like it used to do in the past. Experiencing the diseases, undergoing the treatment and personal studies taught me one thing that, one should never regret about the past and should try to move on with your life. One should go with the flow leaving everything in the hands of God. In fact, I have made this deliberate choice that I would always be positive. |
