When my doctor first told me I had mesothelioma it didn't completely surprise me. For several years off and on I'd had trouble with my breathing.

In 1992 I asked my doctor if Lichen planus (a disease of the skin which I have) can affect the lungs, and he said no. So I knew something else was wrong. The date of diagnosis was the last part of July '96, and it was a real shocker (to the family). I suppose if I had been 10/20/30 years younger it would have been tougher, but now that our children have children of their own and other problems as well it makes it easier for everybody.

Battling

This battle I have with cancer has just begun, and we still don't know what the outcome will be. I'm not the type to say "I'll lick this thing" "too macho." In the mean time I do the things I've always done -- walk my two miles every day like clock work, take my wife to town every day for lunch, talk to our kids on the phone and see them when we can and keep things as normal as possible. Since I've had my lungs talcumed I don't have the quick energy. My lungs don't respond as before. But no complaints. I saw Dr. Loveli on Feb. 23rd and he's very happy with my progress. My Mother died at age 92, and her older sister died at age 105. My Dad's sister lived well into her 90's so my chances of living a long life were pretty good. With that in mind, I feel the asbestos industry blind-sided me.

Hope

I know the fact that I've never smoked has played a part in my ability to fight this disease. Next year my wife and I will celebrate our 50th.

---Willard Dahl