Mesothelioma Awareness Is About People, Not Payments

I get the same reaction from almost everyone when I tell them what type of cancer I battled. The conversation usually goes something like this: Them: What type of cancer did you have? Me: I was diagnosed with a relatively unknown cancer called mesothelioma Them: (blank look) I've never heard of that! Me: Most people haven't. It's pretty rare. Them: (the light comes on) Wait a minute! Isn't that the cancer those TV commercials are about? Me: (nodding, and anticipating all the questions to come) Them: Ohh, YOU were exposed to asbestos? I thought that stuff was banned? Did you sue?? Did you get a lot of money? Me: (deep breath as I decide how to educate them.) I usually tell them that asbestos is not banned, and that I was exposed as a child because my father worked with asbestos and he brought the fibers home on his work clothes, especially his coat, which I wore to do chores around the yard. I do tell them I hired a reputable attorney, but also use the moment to explain to them, that this disease is about so much more than a lawsuit. See, there is this false notion that since I had the cancer where I could sue someone, that any money I got made it all ok. But it's not. No amount of money is worth the prognosis of mesothelioma - or any cancer, for that matter. I lost far more than I ever gained. Allow me to explain. My Career I had worked hard and long to go through the ranks at the salon I worked to become not only one of the top tier stylists, but part owne...
Source: Healthy Living - The Huffington Post - Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news