Susan is a 12-year survivor of peritoneal mesothelioma. She was diagnosed at the age of 72, which made many doctors question if she could endure the aggressive surgery needed. Today she's enjoying good health at the age of 84 after undergoing cytoreductive and HIPEC surgeries. Susan says her new puppy is keeping her active.
12-year peritoneal mesothelioma survivor Susan Dickman says she was likely exposed to asbestos through secondary exposure from her father. “He would come home from work with the jumpsuit on,” Susan shares. “I remember him parking in the garage and my sister and I running up to hug him. He would pick us up with the jumpsuit on. Of course it had asbestos on it.”
Epifanio Figueroa is an 8-year peritoneal mesothelioma survivor who wasn't aware of the disease until he was diagnosed in 2016. “In my day when I was a young kid, they didn’t tell us that asbestos was bad for you,” Epifanio recalled. He believes limited information on mesothelioma may pose a risk.
After conducting many interviews with doctors, Susan made the decision to go with surgical oncologist Dr. Edward Levine after being diagnosed with stage 4 peritoneal mesothelioma. “We chose a doctor who had done more of these surgeries than anybody else. Numbers count for any surgery,” Susan shared.
Raeleen Minchuk Prokopetz was only 36 years old when she was diagnosed with mesothelioma. 10 years after her surgery Raeleen is speaking out about the importance of proper asbestos abatement. Her son now works in asbestos abatement, “He’s 21 years old and working with asbestos,” Raeleen said. “His risk of exposure scares me.”
10 years after being diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, Raeleen Minchuk Prokopetz shares a personal memento created by her son. A handmade book depicting Raeleen's mesothelioma journey. Titled “Nine Year Cancer Survivor: Our Journey,” Raeleen’s son Tyce filled the special keepsake with personal messages for her.
Michael talks about dealing with regrets in the midst of a mesothelioma journey. He also talks about trying to figure out your purpose after being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
Since her peritoneal mesothelioma diagnosis in 2014, Raeleen Minchuk Prokopetz is focused on staying active a decade later. “I go walking every day. I have two dogs that are more than 100 lbs. and they have to get out. I’m very active. A lot of people don’t even believe it when I tell them I’m a cancer patient,” Raeleen said.
Raeleen is a 10-year survivor. She was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma when she was only 36 years old. “The day that I was told I was going to die I was 36 years old and a mother,” Raeleen told us. Now she's sharing some advice for other survivors on the same journey as herself.
Just one year after his mesothelioma diagnosis and two major surgeries, Shaun says he has a great support system. He's also sharing some advice for others who are on their own mesothelioma journey. “You’ve got to have hope and you need to have strength and know that it’s not the end as long as you believe it’s not the end,” he said.
Travis Rodgers is an Emmy-nominated journalist with more than two decades of experience in television news. He held many roles in broadcasting, but spent most of his time as a producer crafting live newscasts for multiple network affiliates. Travis now brings his many years of writing experience to Asbestos.com.
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