The story of Heather
When I was younger, I would wear my dads work jacket around the house to do outside chores. My dad worked in construction and it was common that he would come home covered in dust. Unbeknownst to us, that jacket was covered in asbestos. In 2005, just months after giving birth to my daughter I was diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma that was caused by my exposure to asbestos as a child.
My doctor informed me that without treatment, I had 15 months to live. With a newborn at home, that was not an option. We immediately sought top treatment in Boston at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital with Dr. David Sugarbaker. My treatment involved an extrapleural pneumonectomy that involved the removal of my left lung, diaphragm, pleura and pericardium. I am now proud to be a 10 YEAR survivor. I am using my voice for the victims and working to spread awareness of this preventable and deadly cancer.
Read more about Heather’s story on her blog www.mesothelioma.com