Marathoner With Mesothelioma Finishes The Race

The Mercury News recently ran the inspiring story of Tom Kaisersatt, a 68-year-old runner in the 26.2-mile Silicon Valley Marathon, who finished the race in spite of the fact that he is currently undergoing treatment for mesothelioma.

Kaisersatt, a software developer for NASA-Ames, is also a well-known running coach in California. As a veteran of over 150 marathons himself, Kaiseratt had dedicated years of life to helping others finish the race by founding San Jose Fit that trains runners and walkers for marathons and long distance events. Kaiserett is noted by his past trainees as being the ideal coach and being continually supportive of each trainee, no matter how long it took them to get to the finish line.

Diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, a terminal cancer generally caused by exposure to airborne asbestos, Kaisersatt was undergoing chemotherapy at the time of the race, but was determined to run the race even with his diminished lung capacity. Former trainees and friends made special arrangements with race organizers to allow Kaiseratt to perform portions of the race during the weeks prior and then complete the last 5 miles during the official race with runners from his own San Jose Fit organization.

Kaisersatt was proud to finish what may be his final race, as the next step in his mesothelioma treatment will be one final round of chemotherapy and then a possible extra-pleural pneumonectomy, which will mean the removal of his right lung. Kaisersatt is upbeat about his condition and feels confident that he will continue to live well even with the lung removal, but probably not be running in the next marathon.

The greatest blessing in this story is the number of yellow-shirted balloon toting “Team Tom” fans that lined the streets where the marathon was run and cheered in support of Kaisersatt’s inspirational story. Consisting of colleagues and former trainees, Kaisersatt was moved by the outstanding showing and overwhelmed by the support. The struggle with mesothelioma is far from over for Tom Kaisersatt, but the love and support will probably stay with him through these trying times.

Minnesota Mother and Mesothelioma Victim Shares Story of Hope

A Minnesota mesothelioma patient is claiming she is cured according to an article in the Minnesota Star Tribune. Heather Von St. James, of Roseville, MN, was diagnosed with mesothelioma two and a half years ago, but after undergoing a rare surgery that removed her left lung, her cancer has not returned. The surgery was performed by Dr. Sugarbaker who heads the International Mesothelioma Program at Brigham & Women's Hospital in Boston.

Mesothelioma is a rare cancer caused by exposure to asbestos that most commonly attacks the lining of the lungs (known as pleural mesothelioma). Von St. James says her cancer was caused by second-hand exposure to asbestos from her father's asbestos-covered work clothes, a construction worker. Sugarbaker notes that doctors are seeing more and more mesothelioma patients with second-hand exposure to asbestos.

Von St. James is married with a 3-year-old daughter, Lily, who was only 3 months old when she was diagnosed with mesothelioma. She has been disease free since she ended treatments for mesothelioma 2 years ago. She told the Minnesota Star Tribune that she's going to be the "first patient to live 50-plus years."

Read the full article here.

Mesothelioma and Radiation Therapy

Radiation therapy is a mesothelioma treatment option that involves using neutrons, x-rays, or gamma rays to attack tumors. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, your treatment options may include one of these types of radiation.

There are two basic types of radiation therapy. One is called internal therapy because the radiation is applied from within the body. Also known as implant therapy or interstitial radiation, this therapy involves the implantation of radioisotopes into the body near the cancer cells. The radiation destroys the cancer. A different type of internal radiation therapy is systemic radiation therapy, where a radioactive substance is put into the body and allowed to circulate rather than sitting in a single location.

External radiation therapy is what many people think of first when it comes to mesothelioma treatment options or other types of cancer therapy. Radiation is applied to the body using a machine to focus a concentrated beam on a specific section. Mesothelioma doctors sometimes refer to this treatment as external-beam radiation therapy.

Treatment for mesothelioma depends on the patient, plus the nature and location of the disease. Some types of mesothelioma may require treatment with surgery and radiation. There are types of surgery that are intended to relieve discomfort or remove blockages which can't successfully remove the entire growth. A good example of such a procedure is the pleurectomy. This operation is intended to remove as much of a tumor or growth as possible within the abdomen or chest lining. Complete removal may not be possible; in these cases your mesothelioma options could include recommendations for both radiation therapy and surgery.

If your mesothelioma doctor prescribes radiation therapy, you may be warned of possible side effects which can include fertility problems, diarrhea, lack of appetite or other symptoms. Many of the side effects depend on where your radiation therapy is applied; you don't automatically develop any of these symptoms simply because you experience radiation therapy.

You should be given a complete briefing on all possible side effects of radiation therapy, including a list of common symptoms. Some are common - irritation at the site of the radiation, swelling or fluid buildup. You may experience nausea during your treatment and some mesothelioma doctors advise their patients not to eat for a few hours prior to treatment.

Some side effects should be reported right away. If you experience shortness of breath, coughing or difficulty swallowing, report these to your mesothelioma doctor immediately. Some radiation therapy patients may experience shortness of breath as a "late effect". Patients who receive radiation treatment to the chest or lungs may later experience scarring or stiffening in the lungs which prevents getting a full measure of air.

Radiation therapy in the stomach area may require special diets for the course of treatment. You may need to avoid fiber, start a clear liquid diet, or avoid dairy products. In these cases, doctors strongly recommend careful diet planning to maximize the value of the food you eat so that your body remains as strong as possible during treatment.