Monday 16 June 2014

Five year survivor!

On 16 June 2009, Steve was given the news that he had mesothelioma.  He didn't ask for a prognosis, but was told anyway.  The doctor didn't know how much longer he might live...possibly only months....

In April 2010, a report written by London-based specialist stated "On the evidence presently available, I estimate his life expectancy at 2 years, but with a significant chance that he may survive more than three years and a significant chance that he may die within one year."

According to Cancer Research UK:

Generally, of all the people diagnosed with mesothelioma, about 4 out of 10 (40%) will be alive 1 year later.  About 2 out of 10 people (20%) will be alive 2 years later. Only about 1 in 10 (10%) will be alive 3 years later and about 8 out of 100 (8%) will be alive 5 years later. For people who have been diagnosed and treated in the earlier stages of the disease, there is very little information to draw on but some reports quote survival rates of up to 1 in 2 (50%) after 2 years.  So the range of survival times is very wide. It is important to remember that survival depends on other factors as well as stage.

So much for statistics...the median isn't the message...

....Today, five years after being giving his diagnosis, Steve is still going strong!











Tonight I hope you will raise a glass with us to celebrate this momentous occasion.  



Tomorrow we will seize the day and take off off on our next adventure!  

No comments:

Post a Comment