Mesothelioma--One Man's Story | Miki's Hope

Mesothelioma--One Man's Story

Monday, December 19, 2016


Back in 2013 I was asked by the Mesothelioma organization to post about this rare but deadly form of cancer caused by asbestos. You can read it here
Virgil contacted me just the other day and asked if I could post about Mesothelioma which he has! I said of course and he sent his bio to me which you can read below.


Mr. Anderson was born and raised in Williamson, WV.  His father, a coal miner, passed when Virgil was 8 years old. Virgil worked in demolition work and excavating since high school. This required the physical tear out, and hands on removal of asbestos containing insulation in walls, ceiling, attics and heating and cooling systems. To remove this required saws and sledge hammers all of which sent the asbestos fibers flying into the air. Unfortunately for Virgil the material had to not only be freed from its location but also picked up and carried to the disposal area. Once asbestos is disturbed it can stay in the air for 5 days. On some occasions there was a haze of dust and debris that you could actually taste in your mouth. He also came in contact with asbestos while working on his family’s farm. Virgil was recently diagnosed with mesothelioma, which is a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos.

When he was diagnosed with mesothelioma he needed immediate medical attention. He found a few websites on the internet that are supposed to help people with mesothelioma cancer but nobody got back to him.

Then he found Mesothelioma.net. Even though he contacted them on a Sunday one of their patient advocates gave him a call back within minutes. They gave him a great deal of helpful information on doctors and resources available to him.

As a result of their website, he is now being treated at the national cancer institute and the patient advocates have even provided him with financial assistance so he could afford a place to live during his chemotherapy. If he had not reached out to this website he would likely be homeless and more importantly in Hospice waiting to die. These people gave him his only chance at survival.

This man helped clean up our environment and has/is paying the price. Thank heavens there is a place that really cares! Won't you click in to Mesothelioma.net and read about the wonderful things they do






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42 comments :

Jacqui Odell said...

Such a sad story. Cancer can be a rough thing. I hate people have to go through it.

Ivonne said...

How very sad! Cancer is horrible and I've witnessed it first hand too many times to mention. Excellent post and glad you're spreading awareness about this form of cancer and sharing Mr Anderson's story!

Gladys Parker said...

All types of cancer leave a bad taste in my mouth and a lump in the pit of my stomach. There are few I take on worse, Mesothelioma is one. I had a very dear friend pass a few years back from this. Bless, cheer, praise those that help with this awful cancer.

Heather @ Girl Gone Mom said...

Ugh. It is so heartbreaking when an illness like this was preventable. I am glad there is a great resource available to those suffering.

Divya said...

Thank you for spreading awareness about this. My heart breaks for those affected by cancer.

Unknown said...

I knew that asbestos is really bad for the health but had no idea there exists cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos.I'm glad that Mr. Anderson found help thanks to Mesothelioma.net.

TNE said...

So glad there is help for this disease! It's terrible that all our older folks have to deal with this, just for our new generation. My thoughts are prayers are with this man and all others.

Neely said...

Cancer is so hard. My dad faught a really hard battle a few years ago. Thankfully he's fine now but it was not looking good for a while. Thank you for informing people!

Our Family World said...

Heartbreaking! I remember that my auntie died because of cancer. I'm glad about this awareness, I'll spread this as well.

Naomi said...

I think Mesothelioma is such a sad type of cancer because it was basically human created with asbestos. I'm happy to see that there are resources out there for people with Mesothelioma as navigating healthcare is so difficult! I hope Virgil's treatment works well for him.

Liz Mays said...

It's wonderful that he was able to find care through Mesothelioma.net! Working with asbestos must have been a nightmare!

valmg @ Mom Knows It All said...

Hopefully one day they will find cures for all forms of cancer. We lost a family member this year to it.

Unknown said...

Such a heartbreaking story! My heart goes out to you!

Adrianas Best Recipes said...

Cancer is the worst sickness and even worse when caused by chemicals or because being expose to something as bad as asbestos. I have lost too many family members to cancer I just hope one day there is a cure.

Eliz Frank said...

It's such a pity that we don't have enough comprehensive care to help every case of this disease and other forms of life threatening diseases. I've posted for the Mesothelioma organization in the past and send Virgil and everyone out there healing love and light.

rochelle said...

Hope they find a cure for this so many people have this

Kim BookJunkie said...

I love that you share this info in your blog - wish more people would!

Deb PelletierC said...

So interesting, thank you.

melissa allen said...

So sad! I have seen the commercials about this.

Kelly O said...

I knew a lady who contracted this illness because her husband worked around asbestos and when he came home she would touch him and his clothing. He died years earlier but then she became sick. So very sad. Great that organizations like this help people affected with this.

sara tarver said...

This was such a heartbreaking story, but I'm glad he got the help he deserved!

jean602 said...

So sad.Thankful he got help.

Linda Manns Linneman said...

I hear so much about this illness. I really appreciate all you shared so that people know what to do to get help. Thank you for the great article

Ouachitadawn said...

It’s a scary disease.

Ronald Gagnon said...

It is so wonderful that he finally found a caring organization

Nicolle said...

Such a good cause!

Jeanna Massman said...

Cancer sometimes seems so random in it’s choice of victims but in this case the victim was sabotagied by his hard work. This makes his story particularly poignant.

paula peterson said...

I'm really glad they have support foundations, for the times when people go though stuff like this. Thanks for sharing this story.

Linda Manns Linneman said...

It sounds like so many have gotten this. I see a lot of advertising on tv. It sounds like this is a great site to go to for help. I am so happy someone is helping this man. Thank you so much for sharing

Deb PelletierC said...

My husband worked in the asbestos mines in Canada . He has to have his lungs checked every year.

Shannon said...

This is sad but I am glad that he found an organization to get help.

PC IT Back Together.com said...

Hope everything goes well and thanks for the story

momo said...

(Mesothelioma--One Man's Story) This was really interesting to read about. I never knew too much about this from of cancer until I read this. I hope Virgil is doing fine now that he has all the info that he needs to know.

Denise Low said...

Thank you so much for sharing this story.

tisme143 said...

Thank you for sharing your story with us, I know we try to help out as much as we can.
@tisonlyme143

laura rubenstein said...

My prayers are with Virgil and his family! This is so important to talk about! Thank you soooooo much!

LilBambinos said...

How awful1 Prayers!

ineedaubrey said...

Thank you for spreading awareness.

♡♥♬ Carolsue ♡♥♬ said...

I know a few people with this. Very sad.
digicats {at} sbcglobal {dot} net

Maryann D. said...

Such a shame that people get this type of cancer. Thank goodness for Mesothelioma.net.
twinkle at optonline dot net

carriea said...

such an important charity

carriea said...

important charity

 
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