Heroes and Helpers
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San Pedro, CA - January 9, 2008 Mississippi patient travels to California for treatment with Dr. CameronTed M. has always prided himself on being fit and healthy. As a longtime police officer he knew it was in his interest to be in the best shape possible in order to defend himself against trouble makers and criminals. He enjoyed running and lifting weights four to five times a week. This past spring Ted was in Alaska helping build a church when he noticed he was getting out of breath. When he returned to Mississippi in June, the shortness of breath continued and seemed to be getting worse. With his daughter's wedding approaching in July, Ted did not mention the problem because he didn't want his wife to worry. After the wedding he met with his family physician. The doctor took a chest x-ray and after reviewing it told Ted "you lost your lung!" Ted's right lung was invisible on the film.All that the doctor could see was a large white area. Ted then underwent a CAT scan and met with a pulmonologist in Hattiesburg. Next, Ted underwent a thoracentesis and talc pleurodesis, and later a tissue biopsy. The pathology confirmed that Ted had mesothelioma. Ted looked into the extra-pleural pneumonectomy, but decided to go with surgery that would spare his lung. He met with Dr. Cameron on November 15, and had the pleurectomy / decortication shortly thereafter. His recovery has proceeded apace, and he will have radiation therapy beginning next week. Mesomark and Dr. Vallieres team up to help patient avoid surgery Two years ago Rich S. had intermittent pain in his middle back which he thought was a kidney problem. The symptoms were relieved with Advil.
In May, 2007, he went to his primary care physician for a physical.
The doctor ordered a chest film which showed fluid build-up. A CT
scan and PET scan were also taken and Rich was referred to a
pulmonary specialist.
Under the care of Dr. Eric Vallieres at Swedish Cancer Institute in Seattle, the differing diagnoses led to a treatment plan that includes careful monitoring and the use of Mesomark, a new diagnostic tool that lets mesothelioma patients or people at risk for developing mesothelioma monitor their condition. Mesomark measures the presence of certain peptides that are produced by mesothelial cells. When a patient develops mesothelioma, a cancer resulting in uncontrolled growth of mesothelial cells, these peptides increase greatly in quantity. Mesomark measures the presence of the peptides, and over time it can tell if the peptides are increasing--indicating the possibility of a growing tumor--or whether the peptides are decreasing, which may show that the tumor is shrinking. Mesomark is an innovative tool that can help people exposed to asbestos monitor their health, and that can tell doctors whether treatments for mesothelioma are having a positive effect on the tumor. After Richard's most recent Mesomark test, he's been taken off the "danger" list and no longer has surgery in his immediate future. A better New Year's gift no one could ever hope for! He'll be meeting with Dr. Vallieres April 11 for another Mesomark and a CT scan to monitor his status. RGW,PC supports research and advocacy
Mesothelioma takes its toll across a huge swath of American
society, but support for research and treatment remains woefully
under-funded. A handful of worthy research organizations and
advocacy groups daily pit themselves against the legal,
legislative, judicial, and corporate web that has never given up
trying to minimize and ignore the tragedy of asbestos poisoning.
Long Beach onocologist helps out Pacific Shores Oncology , headed by Dr. Simon Tchedmedyan , recently assisted a mesothelioma patient who was having difficulty getting a PET scan under insurance that was limited to Orange County. Terri Manley, office manager at Pacific Shores, made a few phone calls and helped a patient in need get the diagnostic imaging he needed for a surgical consultation with Dr. Cameron at UCLA. Pacific Shores Oncology has one of the most active practices in the region, treating more than 5,000 patients annually. ADAO Conference March 28-30, Detroit Hot on the heels of their nationally recognized effort to discredit companies who put asbestos in everyday products including children's toys, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization hosts its upcoming annual conference in Detroit from March 28-30. Click here to register for the conference . Dr. Harbut's courageous stand to ban asbestos
"Primum Non Nocere"
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