Meet Survivor's Battle with Mesothelioma and Esophageal Cancer: Tami Pream's Story
Discover Tami Pream’s inspiring journey as she battles both mesothelioma and esophageal cancer. Learn how early detection, innovative treatments, and a strong support system helped her overcome life-threatening challenges.
Tami Pream’s cancer journey started with an unusual burning sensation on the left side of her body. Initially, she suspected it might be related to her spleen.
"I had this slight burning feeling. It wasn’t intense, and many people might not have gone to the doctor for it. But it kept worsening on my left side,” Tami recalls.
Worried, she consulted her doctor, who ordered blood tests. The results revealed elevated bilirubin levels, which can signal liver issues, sometimes caused by tumors blocking bile ducts. This prompted further tests, leading to the discovery that she had two distinct cancers. In December 2021, Tami was diagnosed with both peritoneal mesothelioma and esophageal cancer.
Mesothelioma is commonly linked to asbestos exposure. While the connection between asbestos and esophageal cancer is less clear, some studies suggest a higher risk of esophageal cancer in individuals exposed to asbestos. However, more research is needed to understand this potential correlation.
Mesothelioma and Esophageal Cancer Treatment
Tami’s doctors advised focusing on treating her esophageal cancer first. In early 2022, she began radiation and chemotherapy. Though her doctors didn’t specify the cancer stage, they caught her mesothelioma early. Due to her timely diagnosis, she was a candidate for cytoreductive surgery, Asbestos reports.
In April 2022, after completing treatment for esophageal cancer, Tami underwent heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) alongside cytoreductive surgery. She describes the process in detail: “The surgery lasted 14 hours. They cut from the middle of my ribs down to my pelvis, removing my spleen, ovaries, gallbladder, and omentum. They also scraped several other organs.”
During the HIPEC treatment, she explains, “They flush heated chemo throughout your abdomen for about an hour. Afterward, the tube is removed, and you’re sewn back up.”
Tami’s treatments were successful, and her esophageal cancer is now in remission. However, two years later, she still faces complications from her HIPEC procedure.
Complications and Side Effects
“The Mayo Clinic did an excellent job managing the pain,” Tami shares. “But the HIPEC treatment affected my kidneys, leading to kidney dialysis. I had three treatments in total.”
She recalls the fear of undergoing dialysis: “It was scary. I now live with chronic kidney disease.”
Due to the impact on her kidneys, Tami’s recovery time in the hospital doubled—lasting 12-14 days instead of the expected 7 days. While she isn’t currently taking medication for her kidneys, she manages her condition through diet.
“I’ve had to become much more mindful of what I eat and drink,” she notes. “High potassium is bad for kidneys, so I limit my intake.”
Tami still suffers from severe abdominal pain, likening it to labor contractions. She has adapted her lifestyle to avoid triggering pain, noting that activities like playing with her grandson on the floor or bending over can cause flare-ups.
Beyond the pain, Tami also experiences other side effects, such as difficulty focusing and a partially blocked artery in her heart. While doctors can’t confirm whether radiation treatment caused the blockage, they have reassured her that her heart remains generally healthy.
Support on the Road to Recovery
Throughout her recovery, Tami’s husband, Frank, was her rock. He accompanied her to the Mayo Clinic and cared for her throughout treatment and recovery.
“My husband was always there for me,” Tami says. “He’s been my caregiver and my biggest support.”
Tami stresses the importance of staying active and engaged during recovery to avoid mental health challenges. “It’s easy to get lost in thoughts like ‘I want to do this’ or ‘I want to do that,’ but time’s slipping away,” she says. “It’s better to get moving and do the things you want.”
Tami’s story serves as an inspiring reminder to listen to your body, seek timely medical attention, and stay resilient in the face of adversity.
Understanding Mesothelioma and Esophageal Cancer
Mesothelioma and esophageal cancer are both serious and life-threatening diseases, though they affect different areas of the body and have distinct causes and risk factors. Understanding each type of cancer is crucial for early detection, prevention, and treatment.
What is Mesothelioma?
Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive form of cancer that affects the mesothelium, a thin layer of tissue that surrounds most internal organs. It primarily occurs in the lining of the lungs (pleura), but can also affect the abdomen (peritoneum), heart (pericardium), or testes (tunica vaginalis).
Causes and Risk Factors:
The primary cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure, a group of minerals once commonly used in construction, insulation, and various industries. When asbestos fibers are inhaled or ingested, they can become lodged in the mesothelium, leading to inflammation and, over time, the development of cancerous cells.
Other risk factors include:
Prolonged asbestos exposure, especially in industries like construction, shipbuilding, and manufacturing.
Living with someone who works in an asbestos-related environment, fibers can be carried home on clothing.
Genetic predisposition, though rare.
Symptoms:
Symptoms of mesothelioma often appear decades after asbestos exposure, making early detection difficult. Common signs include:
Shortness of breath
Chest or abdominal pain
Persistent cough
Unexplained weight loss
Fatigue
Treatment:
There is no cure for mesothelioma, but treatment options aim to manage symptoms and prolong life. These may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and innovative therapies like immunotherapy or HIPEC (heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy). The prognosis for mesothelioma varies, depending on the stage of the disease and the patient’s overall health.
What is Esophageal Cancer?
Esophageal cancer is a cancer that occurs in the esophagus, the long tube connecting the throat to the stomach. It typically develops in the cells lining the esophagus and can be classified into two main types:
Adenocarcinoma: Begins in glandular cells, usually in the lower esophagus.
Squamous cell carcinoma: Starts in the flat cells lining the upper and middle esophagus.
Causes and Risk Factors:
The exact cause of esophageal cancer isn’t always clear, but there are several known risk factors:
Tobacco and alcohol use: Both significantly increase the risk of squamous cell carcinoma.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and Barrett’s esophagus: Chronic acid reflux can lead to cellular changes in the esophagus, raising the risk of adenocarcinoma.
Obesity: Excess body weight is linked to a higher risk of esophageal cancer, especially adenocarcinoma.
Diet: Diets low in fruits and vegetables and high in processed foods can increase the risk.
Other risk factors include age, gender (more common in men), and exposure to certain environmental toxins.
Symptoms:
Symptoms of esophageal cancer are often subtle in the early stages but become more pronounced as the disease progresses. These include:
Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia)
Chest pain or discomfort
Unexplained weight loss
Hoarseness or chronic coughing
Heartburn or indigestion
Treatment:
Treatment for esophageal cancer depends on the stage and location of the tumor and the patient’s overall health. Common treatment approaches include:
Surgery: Removal of part or all of the esophagus.
Radiation therapy: Often combined with chemotherapy to shrink tumors before surgery.
Chemotherapy: To kill cancer cells or reduce the size of the tumor.
Targeted therapies: These newer treatments attack specific cancer cells with minimal damage to surrounding tissues.
The prognosis for esophageal cancer varies based on early detection, tumor size, and response to treatment.
Potential Link Between Mesothelioma and Esophageal Cancer
While mesothelioma is closely linked to asbestos exposure, the connection between asbestos and esophageal cancer is still under investigation. Some studies suggest that individuals exposed to asbestos may have a slightly higher risk of developing esophageal cancer, but the evidence is inconclusive.
Both cancers share similar risk factors, such as exposure to environmental toxins, but more research is needed to confirm any direct relationship.
Has Anyone Ever Survived Esophageal Cancer?
Yes, people have survived esophageal cancer. The survival rates for esophageal cancer depend heavily on factors such as the stage at diagnosis, the patient’s overall health, and the type of treatment received. Early detection plays a crucial role in improving the chances of survival. If the cancer is caught early, localized treatments such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy can be highly effective.
For instance, the 5-year survival rate for patients diagnosed with early-stage esophageal cancer can range between 43% to 47%. However, survival rates decrease as the cancer advances to more distant stages, where the 5-year survival rate drops to around 5%. Many patients who undergo successful treatment, especially those diagnosed early, can live cancer-free for several years.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, regular follow-up appointments, and adopting recommended post-treatment strategies can help enhance survival outcomes.
Can You Fully Recover From Esophageal Cancer?
Full recovery from esophageal cancer is possible, but it often depends on early detection and effective treatment. For those diagnosed with localized esophageal cancer, aggressive treatment, including surgery (esophagectomy), radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, can lead to long-term remission or even a complete recovery.
However, esophageal cancer has a tendency to recur, especially if diagnosed in later stages, making continuous follow-up essential. Recovery can also involve addressing treatment side effects, such as difficulty swallowing, changes in digestion, and long-term dietary modifications.
While some patients achieve full recovery and live cancer-free for many years, it’s important to note that long-term management of overall health and regular medical check-ups are key to preventing recurrence.
Has Anyone Ever Survived Mesothelioma?
Yes, Tami Pream has survived Mesothelioma and there are documented cases of mesothelioma survivors. Though mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive cancer typically caused by asbestos exposure, some patients have beaten the odds and survived for many years after diagnosis.
Survival rates depend on factors like the stage at diagnosis, the type of mesothelioma (pleural, peritoneal, etc.), and the effectiveness of treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy, and innovative therapies like immunotherapy and HIPEC (heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy).
For example, patients with early-stage peritoneal mesothelioma who undergo HIPEC have shown promising survival rates, with some living beyond 5 years. While mesothelioma has a reputation for poor prognosis, advances in treatment options and early detection are giving some patients a chance at longer survival.
Has Anyone Ever Been Cured of Mesothelioma?
A true "cure" for mesothelioma remains elusive, but some patients have achieved long-term remission, living cancer-free for many years. Treatments such as surgery, HIPEC, and immunotherapy can significantly improve outcomes, especially when the disease is caught in its early stages.
While doctors often hesitate to use the term "cure" for mesothelioma due to its aggressive nature and tendency to recur, there are cases where patients have lived for more than a decade after treatment without signs of recurrence. Researchers are continuously exploring new therapies and clinical trials to improve survival rates and work toward a potential cure.
In summary, while curing mesothelioma is challenging, achieving long-term remission and significant quality-of-life improvements are becoming more common with advances in treatment.
Conclusion
Both mesothelioma and esophageal cancer are challenging diseases with serious consequences. While mesothelioma is primarily caused by asbestos exposure, esophageal cancer is influenced by a broader range of factors including lifestyle choices and underlying conditions like GERD.
Awareness of symptoms, early diagnosis, and prompt treatment are essential in improving the outcomes for individuals affected by these cancers.
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