Living with Mesothelioma: Live Q&A with Long-Term Survivors
Sometimes the best place to get answers to the most challenging mesothelioma questions is from a survivor who has lived through it.
On Thursday, Dec. 10, at 7 p.m. EST, The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com is hosting an exclusive online question and answer session with three of our survivor contributors. It will be available to watch live on our website and later as a recording for anyone unable to attend.
Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and have them answered by long-term survivors who have been through the highs and lows of living with a mesothelioma diagnosis. Each patient is different, and every story can shine a light on overcoming a unique obstacle.
These survivors have endured successes, failures, triumphs and challenges, and are eager to share their history and help others improve their mesothelioma prognosis.
Patient Advocate and registered nurse Karen Selby will moderate the Q&A panel, which will include:
- Emily Ward: A pleural mesothelioma survivor and retired nurse diagnosed in 2012
- Tamron Little: A mother of four, diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma at age 21
- Ron Green: A pleural mesothelioma survivor and accomplished golfer living in Florida
Emily Ward: A Lifetime of Helping Others
After a 43-year career in nursing, Emily Ward still finds ways to assist others in poor health. After her pleural mesothelioma diagnosis in 2012, Ward underwent a pleurectomy and decortication surgery by mesothelioma treatment pioneer Dr. David Sugarbaker.
She now works as a pharmacy tech, among other jobs, and credits her mesothelioma specialists for her quality of life.
Ward began contributing to The Mesothelioma Center at Asbestos.com in 2018 and now uses her experiences to help other survivors come to terms with their diagnosis.
She continues to advocate for mesothelioma awareness through frequent blogs on treatment decisions, personal goals, national legislation and much more.
Ward looks forward to answering questions from webinar attendees on selecting a specialist, getting access to therapy and living with pleural mesothelioma.
Tamron Little: Mother, Minister and Inspiration
Tamron Little received her diagnosis while pregnant with her first child, Caleb, in 2007. A routine ultrasound of her abdomen revealed a growth that doctors would later confirm as peritoneal mesothelioma.
Just a few months after giving birth to Caleb, Little’s treatment included cytoreductive surgery with heated chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy. A decade and three children later, she is now pursuing her master’s degree, and her doctor calls her a “walking miracle.”
An ordained minister and published author, Little joined Asbestos.com as a contributing writer in 2018. She was diagnosed with COVID-19 in 2020 and recently detailed her experience with the illness, a topic that may be of particular interest to webinar viewers.
Ron Green: Clinical Trial Pioneer
Ron Green recently celebrated his daughter’s wedding in Charlotte, North Carolina, and he credits his survival to his Christian faith and skilled medical teams. He was diagnosed in 2016 with pleural mesothelioma and began a pembrolizumab (Keytruda) clinical trial shortly after.
The treatment worked for him, and it wasn’t until 2018 that mesothelioma imaging scans showed signs of returning cancer growth. Green decided to enroll in another clinical trial at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. He once again beat the odds, and his cancer responded well to the experimental treatment.
While he’s not the golfer he once was, Green finds fulfillment in helping others navigate the struggles of mesothelioma. He regularly participates in a mesothelioma survivor group, offering advice and stories of his unique experiences.
Green is looking forward to providing insight during the Q&A webinar that could help other survivors find answers.
A Night for Questions and Answers
Green, Little and Ward are ready to discuss their experiences and answer your questions in an open forum about the unique trials of living with mesothelioma.
Selby, our registered nurse and Patient Advocate, will moderate the discussion for viewer questions such as:
- What have you learned since your diagnosis?
- How did you decide on a surgeon or specialist?
- What were the most difficult parts of treatment?
- When did you know about your asbestos exposure?
- What are your tips for surviving with mesothelioma?
Selby has decades of nursing experience in thoracic surgery. As a Patient Advocate, she helps give each patient and caregiver the tools they need to fight cancer. She is also a member of the Academy of Oncology Nurse & Patient Navigators.
Whether you’re joining us live or planning to watch the recording, our Long-Term Survivor Q&A will have answers to many of your questions. Our panelists will discuss cancer treatments, mesothelioma specialists, clinical trials, life experiences and much more.
After this live panel, we hope mesothelioma caregivers and patients will find the encouragement and hope they need, along with a positive outlook for what the future may hold.