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.
One year after his diagnosis Shaun is sharing how his diet has changed. “The hardest is eating healthy at night after working all day. I try to narrow it down to something healthy, but sometimes that doesn't work. Overall I’ve done pretty good when it comes to nutrition after mesothelioma treatment,” Shaun shared.
Raeleen's symptoms started with abdominal pain. One month after a CT scan she was diagnosed with stage 3 peritoneal mesothelioma. After nearly a decade with mesothelioma, Raeleen is excited to share, "I'm a grandma now." It’s amazing!"
Just one year after his diagnosis and surgery, Shaun returned to his physically demanding job. “I’m moving along pretty well,” Shaun shared. “I have good people I work around and they understand there are certain things that I can’t do to because of the risk of hurting myself. But I work with some good people and they look out for me.”
Shaun reveals how his mesothelioma journey began and how he feels now one year after undergoing two intense surgeries. “I feel pretty good. The second surgery was probably the toughest on me because whatever they did in my chest, the front of it is still numb,” Shaun said.
Kevin wants survivors to know about the Patient Advocates at The Mesothelioma Center who helped him advocate for himself. “Originally, I thought that asking for a second opinion is insulting to your doctor,” Kevin recalls. "But not every doctor does things the same way. A second opinion can be really important.”
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