MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast Mon, 13 Jul 2026 14:43:39 -0500 https://mesotheliomapodcast.com en-us © 2026 MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast yes e7370934-381e-51f8-aecd-f8ad91ebb28c MesotheliomaPodcast.com episodic false MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is a supportive, medically informed, and deeply human show dedicated to helping families navigate life after a mesothelioma diagnosis. Hosted by patient advocate, Dave Foster, the podcast brings together the voices of doctors, survivors, caregivers, and leading experts to deliver clarity, guidance, and hope when it’s needed most.


Sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, one of the nation’s most experienced mesothelioma law firms, the show offers more than legal insight—it provides practical direction, emotional support, and a roadmap for getting the best medical care as quickly as possible. Whether you or a loved one has just been diagnosed or you're searching for trusted information, MESO breaks down the medical, legal, and personal impact of this rare disease in a way that’s easy to understand and compassionate at every step.


Every episode delivers meaningful conversations, survivor stories, expert interviews, and actionable next steps so families can make informed decisions with confidence.


If you need answers, support, or guidance—you’re in the right place.
 For more information, visit Danziger & De Llano at Dandell.com.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) mesothelioma podcast, mesothelioma lawyer, asbestos podcast, asbestos lawyer, asbestos, mesothelioma, cancer, MesotheliomaPodcast.com https://storage.buzzsprout.com/yp88q2vpnz8rnvprpzao6g2ah2hq?.jpg MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast https://mesotheliomapodcast.com David Foster Anna Jackson Surviving Peritoneal Mesothelioma Surviving Peritoneal Mesothelioma A routine surgery turns into a life-changing phone call, and suddenly you are the rare case no one around you has seen before. We sit down with Julie Russell, a nurse and nearly 20-year survivor of peritoneal mesothelioma, to tell the full story of how an incidental pathology finding led to a diagnosis, a scramble for answers, and a decision to travel for the right care when “close to home” was not enough.

Julie walks us through what it’s like to hear specialists speak bluntly, to face radical surgery, and to go through intraperitoneal chemotherapy while trying to protect your quality of life. She also shares a pivotal moment: listening to her body when her kidneys started taking a hit, and choosing to stop chemo one treatment early, a decision later validated by nephrology. It’s a powerful look at patient advocacy that stays honest about uncertainty, risk, and the pressure to follow a protocol when your gut says something is wrong.

We also dig into survivorship after mesothelioma, including CT scan frequency, lung nodules, and the anxiety that can come with long-term surveillance at Dana-Farber. Along the way, we unpack possible asbestos exposure sources, the growing conversation around talc, and even a surprising lesson about cosmic radiation from flying that reframes how we think about exposure and risk.

If you or someone you love is navigating peritoneal mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma, or any rare cancer, this conversation offers practical guidance and real hope. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more families can find support.

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> A routine surgery turns into a life-changing phone call, and suddenly you are the rare case no one around you has seen before. We sit down with Julie Russell, a nurse and nearly 20-year survivor of peritoneal mesothelioma, to tell the full story of how an incidental pathology finding led to a diagnosis, a scramble for answers, and a decision to travel for the right care when “close to home” was not enough.

Julie walks us through what it’s like to hear specialists speak bluntly, to face radical surgery, and to go through intraperitoneal chemotherapy while trying to protect your quality of life. She also shares a pivotal moment: listening to her body when her kidneys started taking a hit, and choosing to stop chemo one treatment early, a decision later validated by nephrology. It’s a powerful look at patient advocacy that stays honest about uncertainty, risk, and the pressure to follow a protocol when your gut says something is wrong.

We also dig into survivorship after mesothelioma, including CT scan frequency, lung nodules, and the anxiety that can come with long-term surveillance at Dana-Farber. Along the way, we unpack possible asbestos exposure sources, the growing conversation around talc, and even a surprising lesson about cosmic radiation from flying that reframes how we think about exposure and risk.

If you or someone you love is navigating peritoneal mesothelioma, pleural mesothelioma, or any rare cancer, this conversation offers practical guidance and real hope. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more families can find support.

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> MesotheliomaPodcast.com Buzzsprout-19488650 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 14:00:00 -0500 1906 full false Free Mesothelioma Information Free Mesothelioma Information MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> MesotheliomaPodcast.com Buzzsprout-19458531 Tue, 07 Jul 2026 09:00:00 -0500 98 full false Cancer Nutrition That Actually Helps Cancer Nutrition That Actually Helps Googling “what to eat after a cancer diagnosis” can send you into a panic spiral fast. One page says cut all sugar, another says buy a shelf of supplements, and somehow you’re supposed to do that while managing appointments, side effects, and real life. We wanted a clear, evidence-based voice, so we sat down with Nicole Andrews, a registered dietitian who specializes in oncology nutrition, to talk about what actually helps people stay strong through treatment.

We dig into why nutrition during chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery is not about perfection, it’s about being well-nourished enough to tolerate full-dose care and recover between appointments. Nicole explains why the “sugar feeds cancer” myth causes real harm, how cancer metabolism really works, and why cutting carbs often backfires when your body needs energy the most. We also talk through the practical stuff families face every day: metallic taste, appetite loss, nausea, and when water suddenly tastes terrible. Nicole shares flexible, realistic strategies like using citrus or mint, changing proteins when favorite foods become intolerable, trying smoothies for calorie and protein boosts, and making hydration easier without shame.

We also go straight at supplements and cancer risk reduction. Nicole outlines why high-dose supplements can be risky unless a true deficiency shows up in labs, and what matters more for long-term health: fiber, movement, sleep, and reducing alcohol and processed meats. If you want a simple framework you can actually use, plus myth-busting you can trust, you’ll get a lot out of this conversation. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs steady guidance, and leave us a review with your biggest cancer nutrition question.

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> Googling “what to eat after a cancer diagnosis” can send you into a panic spiral fast. One page says cut all sugar, another says buy a shelf of supplements, and somehow you’re supposed to do that while managing appointments, side effects, and real life. We wanted a clear, evidence-based voice, so we sat down with Nicole Andrews, a registered dietitian who specializes in oncology nutrition, to talk about what actually helps people stay strong through treatment.

We dig into why nutrition during chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery is not about perfection, it’s about being well-nourished enough to tolerate full-dose care and recover between appointments. Nicole explains why the “sugar feeds cancer” myth causes real harm, how cancer metabolism really works, and why cutting carbs often backfires when your body needs energy the most. We also talk through the practical stuff families face every day: metallic taste, appetite loss, nausea, and when water suddenly tastes terrible. Nicole shares flexible, realistic strategies like using citrus or mint, changing proteins when favorite foods become intolerable, trying smoothies for calorie and protein boosts, and making hydration easier without shame.

We also go straight at supplements and cancer risk reduction. Nicole outlines why high-dose supplements can be risky unless a true deficiency shows up in labs, and what matters more for long-term health: fiber, movement, sleep, and reducing alcohol and processed meats. If you want a simple framework you can actually use, plus myth-busting you can trust, you’ll get a lot out of this conversation. Subscribe, share this with someone who needs steady guidance, and leave us a review with your biggest cancer nutrition question.

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> MesotheliomaPodcast.com Buzzsprout-19455450 Mon, 06 Jul 2026 18:00:00 -0500 2148 full false Mesothelioma Support That Actually Helps Mesothelioma Support That Actually Helps A mesothelioma diagnosis doesn’t just change a treatment plan, it rearranges an entire family’s life. We talk with seasoned members of a mesothelioma care team about the moments that hit hardest right after diagnosis and the quiet, practical choices that help patients and caregivers keep going when everything feels urgent.

We dig into the real-world stressors families face beyond medical care: travel to a specialist, time away from work, bills that don’t pause, and the emotional whiplash of learning the cancer is often tied to asbestos exposure. When that exposure is occupational or even secondhand from a loved one’s work clothes, the grief can come with anger and a deep sense of betrayal. We also share what support can look like when it’s done well, from caregiver groups to daily check-ins that make people feel seen.

You’ll hear a simple idea that carries a lot of power: head and heart have to work together. When mood drops, it’s harder to eat, walk, recover, and stay engaged with care, so emotional support becomes part of the treatment path. We close with grounded advice for the first weeks, like limiting panic scrolling, bringing someone to appointments, taking notes, asking direct questions, and seeking a mesothelioma center of excellence when possible.

If this conversation helps, subscribe, share it with someone who needs support, and leave a review so more families facing mesothelioma can find us.

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> A mesothelioma diagnosis doesn’t just change a treatment plan, it rearranges an entire family’s life. We talk with seasoned members of a mesothelioma care team about the moments that hit hardest right after diagnosis and the quiet, practical choices that help patients and caregivers keep going when everything feels urgent.

We dig into the real-world stressors families face beyond medical care: travel to a specialist, time away from work, bills that don’t pause, and the emotional whiplash of learning the cancer is often tied to asbestos exposure. When that exposure is occupational or even secondhand from a loved one’s work clothes, the grief can come with anger and a deep sense of betrayal. We also share what support can look like when it’s done well, from caregiver groups to daily check-ins that make people feel seen.

You’ll hear a simple idea that carries a lot of power: head and heart have to work together. When mood drops, it’s harder to eat, walk, recover, and stay engaged with care, so emotional support becomes part of the treatment path. We close with grounded advice for the first weeks, like limiting panic scrolling, bringing someone to appointments, taking notes, asking direct questions, and seeking a mesothelioma center of excellence when possible.

If this conversation helps, subscribe, share it with someone who needs support, and leave a review so more families facing mesothelioma can find us.

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> MesotheliomaPodcast.com Buzzsprout-19426069 Tue, 30 Jun 2026 13:00:00 -0500 1429 full false VA Benefits And Mesothelioma VA Benefits And Mesothelioma Filing for VA benefits after a mesothelioma diagnosis feels like the obvious first move but it can be the wrong move if you don’t understand how asbestos exposure is argued across systems. We sit down together and walk through the real-world “should I file?” decision, especially for veterans who served for a few years and then spent decades in high-risk civilian jobs like shipyards, refineries, boiler rooms, HVAC, and industrial plants. When the record gets messy, the VA and companies can start pointing fingers at each other, and that confusion can cost families meaningful compensation.

We also talk through practical steps that protect both care and financial stability: getting guidance from a mesothelioma lawyer or advocate who handles asbestos claims and VA claims, using a VA placeholder claim when it helps, and what to do when a VA disability claim gets denied. We share how appeals work, why regional VA service centers can be a powerful resource, and where families can look for strong treatment options through major VA medical centers and affiliated specialists.

Finally, we outline the “big three” financial paths families ask about most: Social Security Disability benefits with mesothelioma fast track, asbestos trust funds with payments that often arrive in stages, and lawsuits against viable companies outside bankruptcy trusts. We answer common questions about timelines, whether compensation is taxable, and what “no upfront cost” contingency fees really mean. If this helped, subscribe, share with a veteran’s family, and leave a review so more people find support when they need it most.

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> Filing for VA benefits after a mesothelioma diagnosis feels like the obvious first move but it can be the wrong move if you don’t understand how asbestos exposure is argued across systems. We sit down together and walk through the real-world “should I file?” decision, especially for veterans who served for a few years and then spent decades in high-risk civilian jobs like shipyards, refineries, boiler rooms, HVAC, and industrial plants. When the record gets messy, the VA and companies can start pointing fingers at each other, and that confusion can cost families meaningful compensation.

We also talk through practical steps that protect both care and financial stability: getting guidance from a mesothelioma lawyer or advocate who handles asbestos claims and VA claims, using a VA placeholder claim when it helps, and what to do when a VA disability claim gets denied. We share how appeals work, why regional VA service centers can be a powerful resource, and where families can look for strong treatment options through major VA medical centers and affiliated specialists.

Finally, we outline the “big three” financial paths families ask about most: Social Security Disability benefits with mesothelioma fast track, asbestos trust funds with payments that often arrive in stages, and lawsuits against viable companies outside bankruptcy trusts. We answer common questions about timelines, whether compensation is taxable, and what “no upfront cost” contingency fees really mean. If this helped, subscribe, share with a veteran’s family, and leave a review so more people find support when they need it most.

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> MesotheliomaPodcast.com Buzzsprout-19288687 Wed, 03 Jun 2026 12:00:00 -0500 780 full false Hope After Mesothelioma Hope After Mesothelioma You can do everything “right” and still get a life-changing diagnosis. Linda Chitwood is a retired RN, longtime nurse educator, and the author of Fear To Faith and she joins us to share how her husband Lenny was diagnosed with mesothelioma despite an outdoors career, no smoking, and no obvious single-source exposure. What started as an unusual cough turned into a moment that stopped her cold: she listened to his lungs and heard nothing on one side. Within days, the medical questions turned to asbestos exposure, tumor findings, and a rare clear cell subtype that required careful pathology review. 

We walk through the decisions families dread making, including what it meant to pursue extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP), a major surgery that removes the affected lung and surrounding tissue. Linda explains why recovery can be so tough, what helped Lenny do well, and why pain management became one of the biggest challenges. We also talk about how mesothelioma treatment options have evolved, including newer approaches like immunotherapy, and why quality of life remains the central goal. 

Just as crucial, we dig into mesothelioma caregiver support: accepting meals, leaning on church and community, taking breaks without guilt, and remembering that adult children often carry quiet fear with too little support. Linda also shares her current fight with multiple myeloma and how her family now shows up for her during chemotherapy. If you’re looking for practical guidance, honest perspective, and real hope, press play, then subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave us a review with what hit home for you.

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> You can do everything “right” and still get a life-changing diagnosis. Linda Chitwood is a retired RN, longtime nurse educator, and the author of Fear To Faith and she joins us to share how her husband Lenny was diagnosed with mesothelioma despite an outdoors career, no smoking, and no obvious single-source exposure. What started as an unusual cough turned into a moment that stopped her cold: she listened to his lungs and heard nothing on one side. Within days, the medical questions turned to asbestos exposure, tumor findings, and a rare clear cell subtype that required careful pathology review. 

We walk through the decisions families dread making, including what it meant to pursue extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP), a major surgery that removes the affected lung and surrounding tissue. Linda explains why recovery can be so tough, what helped Lenny do well, and why pain management became one of the biggest challenges. We also talk about how mesothelioma treatment options have evolved, including newer approaches like immunotherapy, and why quality of life remains the central goal. 

Just as crucial, we dig into mesothelioma caregiver support: accepting meals, leaning on church and community, taking breaks without guilt, and remembering that adult children often carry quiet fear with too little support. Linda also shares her current fight with multiple myeloma and how her family now shows up for her during chemotherapy. If you’re looking for practical guidance, honest perspective, and real hope, press play, then subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave us a review with what hit home for you.

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> MesotheliomaPodcast.com Buzzsprout-19242424 Tue, 26 May 2026 10:00:00 -0500 1460 full false A Nurse Learns To Choose Faith Over Fear A Nurse Learns To Choose Faith Over Fear A single, quiet moment can change everything: a nurse listens to her husband’s lungs and hears nothing on one side. From there, life moves fast. We’re joined by Linda Chitwood, an RN, longtime nurse educator, and author of Fear To Faith, to share how her family faced a mesothelioma diagnosis that didn’t “make sense” on paper and what they did next.

We talk about asbestos exposure that isn’t obvious, the shock of learning how many older products contained asbestos, and the whirlwind from imaging to biopsy to pathology, including a rare clear cell mesothelioma finding. Linda walks us through why their team considered extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) at Duke, what the surgery removes, and what it really takes to recover and adapt to life with one lung. We also get practical about quality of life, including the toughest part for them: pain control, medication fears, and the relief of finally working with pain specialists.

Just as important, we slow down for the human side. We share what caregiver support actually looks like, why accepting help is a gift to both sides, and where families often feel overlooked, especially grown children. Linda also opens up about her current fight with multiple myeloma and how her kids and grandkids now show up for her through chemotherapy.

If you know someone navigating mesothelioma, caregiver stress, or asbestos related cancer, subscribe, share this conversation, and leave a review so more families can find support and hope.

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> A single, quiet moment can change everything: a nurse listens to her husband’s lungs and hears nothing on one side. From there, life moves fast. We’re joined by Linda Chitwood, an RN, longtime nurse educator, and author of Fear To Faith, to share how her family faced a mesothelioma diagnosis that didn’t “make sense” on paper and what they did next.

We talk about asbestos exposure that isn’t obvious, the shock of learning how many older products contained asbestos, and the whirlwind from imaging to biopsy to pathology, including a rare clear cell mesothelioma finding. Linda walks us through why their team considered extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) at Duke, what the surgery removes, and what it really takes to recover and adapt to life with one lung. We also get practical about quality of life, including the toughest part for them: pain control, medication fears, and the relief of finally working with pain specialists.

Just as important, we slow down for the human side. We share what caregiver support actually looks like, why accepting help is a gift to both sides, and where families often feel overlooked, especially grown children. Linda also opens up about her current fight with multiple myeloma and how her kids and grandkids now show up for her through chemotherapy.

If you know someone navigating mesothelioma, caregiver stress, or asbestos related cancer, subscribe, share this conversation, and leave a review so more families can find support and hope.

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> MesotheliomaPodcast.com Buzzsprout-19195899 Mon, 18 May 2026 10:00:00 -0500 1460 1 full false How Mesothelioma Cases Really Get Built How Mesothelioma Cases Really Get Built Mesothelioma commercials make it sound like there’s one easy path to compensation, but the real work happens in the details most people never see. We sit down with Leslie Cooper, a mesothelioma investigator with 23 years of experience and roughly 1,000 client interviews, to explain how a strong case actually gets built from the first in-home meeting forward.

We talk through why mesothelioma is rare, why these lawsuits are not class actions, and why one client often has multiple defendants tied to different asbestos-containing products. Leslie explains her step-by-step approach to reconstructing a person’s exposure history chronologically, starting at birth and moving through childhood, military service, career, and household exposure. Along the way, we dig into the moments that surprise families most, including secondhand exposure from a parent’s job and “forgotten” asbestos contact from home projects or hobbies.

We also clear up a major misconception about asbestos trust funds. There is not one giant trust you can call for a check. There are dozens of separate bankruptcy trusts, and compensation depends on identifying the right manufacturers and documenting the exposure. Finally, we cover how records help shape the legal strategy and why the state where a claim is filed can matter more than people expect, plus a candid warning about high-volume “meso mills” that don’t treat cases as truly individual.

If you or someone you love is navigating mesothelioma, listen, share this with a caregiver, and subscribe for more practical guidance. After you listen, leave a review and tell us what question you want answered next.

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> Mesothelioma commercials make it sound like there’s one easy path to compensation, but the real work happens in the details most people never see. We sit down with Leslie Cooper, a mesothelioma investigator with 23 years of experience and roughly 1,000 client interviews, to explain how a strong case actually gets built from the first in-home meeting forward.

We talk through why mesothelioma is rare, why these lawsuits are not class actions, and why one client often has multiple defendants tied to different asbestos-containing products. Leslie explains her step-by-step approach to reconstructing a person’s exposure history chronologically, starting at birth and moving through childhood, military service, career, and household exposure. Along the way, we dig into the moments that surprise families most, including secondhand exposure from a parent’s job and “forgotten” asbestos contact from home projects or hobbies.

We also clear up a major misconception about asbestos trust funds. There is not one giant trust you can call for a check. There are dozens of separate bankruptcy trusts, and compensation depends on identifying the right manufacturers and documenting the exposure. Finally, we cover how records help shape the legal strategy and why the state where a claim is filed can matter more than people expect, plus a candid warning about high-volume “meso mills” that don’t treat cases as truly individual.

If you or someone you love is navigating mesothelioma, listen, share this with a caregiver, and subscribe for more practical guidance. After you listen, leave a review and tell us what question you want answered next.

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> MesotheliomaPodcast.com Buzzsprout-19157904 Mon, 11 May 2026 10:00:00 -0500 1086 1 full false Mesothelioma Deadlines And How To Beat Them Mesothelioma Deadlines And How To Beat Them One missed deadline can wipe out a mesothelioma claim, even when the exposure happened 30 or 40 years ago. We talk about the statute of limitations in mesothelioma cases and why the clock is so unforgiving once a diagnosis arrives. Depending on the state, you may have as little as one year to file and if you pass that limit by even a second, the opportunity can be gone.

We also get personal. Larry shares what happened when his dad was diagnosed, how the family focused on finding the best doctor and a treatment plan first, and how quickly the disease progressed. It’s a reminder that mesothelioma is not only a medical emergency, it’s a time-sensitive legal situation too. We connect the dots between asbestos exposure at demanding jobs like refinery work, the lack of warnings or protective gear, and why accountability matters when companies put profit over people.

Along the way, we dig into what compensation can actually help with: expensive care like chemo, radiation, immunotherapy, and the everyday bills that pile up while families are already stretched thin. We explain why working with an experienced nationwide mesothelioma law firm can matter, especially when exposure, products, and filing rules vary across states and when you need investigators and resources to move fast. If you want clear next steps after diagnosis, press play, then subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more families can find timely help.

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> One missed deadline can wipe out a mesothelioma claim, even when the exposure happened 30 or 40 years ago. We talk about the statute of limitations in mesothelioma cases and why the clock is so unforgiving once a diagnosis arrives. Depending on the state, you may have as little as one year to file and if you pass that limit by even a second, the opportunity can be gone.

We also get personal. Larry shares what happened when his dad was diagnosed, how the family focused on finding the best doctor and a treatment plan first, and how quickly the disease progressed. It’s a reminder that mesothelioma is not only a medical emergency, it’s a time-sensitive legal situation too. We connect the dots between asbestos exposure at demanding jobs like refinery work, the lack of warnings or protective gear, and why accountability matters when companies put profit over people.

Along the way, we dig into what compensation can actually help with: expensive care like chemo, radiation, immunotherapy, and the everyday bills that pile up while families are already stretched thin. We explain why working with an experienced nationwide mesothelioma law firm can matter, especially when exposure, products, and filing rules vary across states and when you need investigators and resources to move fast. If you want clear next steps after diagnosis, press play, then subscribe, share this with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more families can find timely help.

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> MesotheliomaPodcast.com Buzzsprout-19127529 Tue, 05 May 2026 08:00:00 -0500 700 full false How Two Patient Advocates Guide Families Through Mesothelioma And The Legal Process How Two Patient Advocates Guide Families Through Mesothelioma And The Legal Process A mesothelioma diagnosis can make everything feel urgent and unreal at the same time, and the hardest part is often not knowing what to do first. We sit down with Kathleen Bono and Sarah Bono, a mother-daughter team who have spent more than a decade meeting hundreds of mesothelioma families face to face, often days after diagnosis or loss. They share what actually helps when a stranger walks into your home, how they build trust quickly, and why families deserve clarity before they ever talk about claims or compensation.

We get practical about the asbestos exposure interview: how to reduce pressure when someone is sick, older, or grieving, and how simple “timeline anchors” like weddings, kids, and career chapters can unlock the details needed for a strong case. We also talk about what it feels like to walk into rooms filled with relatives, the power of listening, and the small human moments that stay with you, from veterans’ stories to unexpected laughs that cut through the heaviness.

Then we tackle the legal process head-on, including fears about going to court, what a deposition really means, and why mesothelioma commercials can be misleading. Kathleen and Sarah explain the difference between asbestos bankruptcy trusts and solvent company claims, and how transparency and steady communication can make the process feel manageable.

If you know someone facing mesothelioma or asbestos-related cancer, share this conversation with them. Subscribe for more, leave a review, and tell us in the comments: what question would you want answered first after a diagnosis?

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> A mesothelioma diagnosis can make everything feel urgent and unreal at the same time, and the hardest part is often not knowing what to do first. We sit down with Kathleen Bono and Sarah Bono, a mother-daughter team who have spent more than a decade meeting hundreds of mesothelioma families face to face, often days after diagnosis or loss. They share what actually helps when a stranger walks into your home, how they build trust quickly, and why families deserve clarity before they ever talk about claims or compensation.

We get practical about the asbestos exposure interview: how to reduce pressure when someone is sick, older, or grieving, and how simple “timeline anchors” like weddings, kids, and career chapters can unlock the details needed for a strong case. We also talk about what it feels like to walk into rooms filled with relatives, the power of listening, and the small human moments that stay with you, from veterans’ stories to unexpected laughs that cut through the heaviness.

Then we tackle the legal process head-on, including fears about going to court, what a deposition really means, and why mesothelioma commercials can be misleading. Kathleen and Sarah explain the difference between asbestos bankruptcy trusts and solvent company claims, and how transparency and steady communication can make the process feel manageable.

If you know someone facing mesothelioma or asbestos-related cancer, share this conversation with them. Subscribe for more, leave a review, and tell us in the comments: what question would you want answered first after a diagnosis?

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> MesotheliomaPodcast.com Buzzsprout-19084218 Mon, 27 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0500 2231 full false Larry Gates Explains What Families Should Do After A Mesothelioma Diagnosis Larry Gates Explains What Families Should Do After A Mesothelioma Diagnosis A cough. A pain along the ribs. Getting winded on the walk to the mailbox. Those small changes can be the first hints of something much bigger for people with a past asbestos exposure, and they’re the moments that still stick with us after talking with Larry Gates.

We sit down with Larry to hear the story of his father, a World War II veteran who worked for decades at a Shell refinery in Pasadena, Texas and was never warned about the danger of asbestos. Larry walks us through what the family noticed first, how quickly mesothelioma progressed after diagnosis, and what it was like to watch an active man decline in a matter of months. If you’re searching for real-world mesothelioma support, this part of the conversation brings the human side into focus, not just the medical terms.

We also dig into the practical side families need when life is upside down: how mesothelioma legal claims and settlements work, why early choices matter, and what to do if you’re offered a number that feels wrong. Larry shares how he talks with patients and caregivers today about work history, timelines, and what “fair compensation” can actually mean when you’re trying to protect a spouse and cover treatment costs. We end with clear guidance: get to a doctor fast, ask about modern options like immunotherapy and surgery when appropriate, and don’t let pressure or confusion force a decision you can’t undo.

If this helped you, please subscribe, share it with someone facing an asbestos-related diagnosis, and leave a review so more families can find real mesothelioma resources when they need them most.

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> A cough. A pain along the ribs. Getting winded on the walk to the mailbox. Those small changes can be the first hints of something much bigger for people with a past asbestos exposure, and they’re the moments that still stick with us after talking with Larry Gates.

We sit down with Larry to hear the story of his father, a World War II veteran who worked for decades at a Shell refinery in Pasadena, Texas and was never warned about the danger of asbestos. Larry walks us through what the family noticed first, how quickly mesothelioma progressed after diagnosis, and what it was like to watch an active man decline in a matter of months. If you’re searching for real-world mesothelioma support, this part of the conversation brings the human side into focus, not just the medical terms.

We also dig into the practical side families need when life is upside down: how mesothelioma legal claims and settlements work, why early choices matter, and what to do if you’re offered a number that feels wrong. Larry shares how he talks with patients and caregivers today about work history, timelines, and what “fair compensation” can actually mean when you’re trying to protect a spouse and cover treatment costs. We end with clear guidance: get to a doctor fast, ask about modern options like immunotherapy and surgery when appropriate, and don’t let pressure or confusion force a decision you can’t undo.

If this helped you, please subscribe, share it with someone facing an asbestos-related diagnosis, and leave a review so more families can find real mesothelioma resources when they need them most.

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> MesotheliomaPodcast.com Buzzsprout-19048074 Mon, 20 Apr 2026 14:00:00 -0500 838 full false From Diagnosis To Goodbye; A Caregiver’s Journey From Diagnosis To Goodbye; A Caregiver’s Journey Mesothelioma caregivers provide an average of 4+ years of full-time support — and 70% report that the emotional toll remains raw decades later.

In this episode of MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast, host Dave Foster — Executive Director of Patient Advocacy at Danziger & De Llano with 18 years of experience — and Anna Jackson, Director of Patient Support, talk with Marilyn Fake, a mesothelioma victim advocate whose husband Billy — a boilermaker/welder with 36 years of power plant and nuclear plant exposure — survived 4.5 years after his pleural mesothelioma diagnosis.

Together, they cover:

  • Billy's diagnosis in Billings, Montana — how an ER doctor identified mesothelioma on first examination and connected the family to MD Anderson in Houston
  • A 9-hour extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) at MD Anderson under Dr. Rice — including Gore-Tex diaphragm replacement and Kevlar heart covering
  • The devastating toll of radiation, chemotherapy with Avastin (bevacizumab), and the kidney failure that ultimately ended treatment options
  • A hospital bedside wedding for two children on February 26, 2009 — and a son-in-law airlifted from Iraq by the Red Cross to say goodbye before Billy passed
  • Marilyn's post-loss advocacy — traveling to Washington, D.C. with MARF, becoming a CNA, and creating a nutritional guide for mesothelioma patients

Whether you're a mesothelioma caregiver seeking support, navigating treatment decisions, or looking for practical guidance on patient nutrition and daily care — this episode shares one family's complete journey.

FAQ

What does mesothelioma caregiving involve day-to-day?

Marilyn quit her job as a loan closer to provide 24/7 care for 4.5 years. Daily tasks included managing medications, nutritional supplements, travel logistics for MD Anderson visits, and emotional support through radiation side effects that prevented Billy from eating normal food.

What is an extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP)?

An EPP removes the affected lung, diaphragm, and surrounding tissue. Billy's 9-hour surgery at MD Anderson included a Gore-Tex diaphragm replacement and Kevlar heart covering. His surgeon, Dr. Rice, credited Marilyn's caregiving for Billy's 4.5-year survival.

How can families cope after a mesothelioma loss?

Marilyn channeled her grief into advocacy — lobbying Congress with MARF to ban asbestos, becoming a CNA to work with dying patients, and spreading Billy's ashes at his favorite Montana mountain spot 16 years later with family and their four-wheel-drive club.

Expert Source

Dave Foster — Executive Director of Patient Advocacy, Danziger & De Llano. 18-year veteran helping mesothelioma families.
dandell.com/david-foster/

Resources


MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> Mesothelioma caregivers provide an average of 4+ years of full-time support — and 70% report that the emotional toll remains raw decades later.

In this episode of MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast, host Dave Foster — Executive Director of Patient Advocacy at Danziger & De Llano with 18 years of experience — and Anna Jackson, Director of Patient Support, talk with Marilyn Fake, a mesothelioma victim advocate whose husband Billy — a boilermaker/welder with 36 years of power plant and nuclear plant exposure — survived 4.5 years after his pleural mesothelioma diagnosis.

Together, they cover:

  • Billy's diagnosis in Billings, Montana — how an ER doctor identified mesothelioma on first examination and connected the family to MD Anderson in Houston
  • A 9-hour extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) at MD Anderson under Dr. Rice — including Gore-Tex diaphragm replacement and Kevlar heart covering
  • The devastating toll of radiation, chemotherapy with Avastin (bevacizumab), and the kidney failure that ultimately ended treatment options
  • A hospital bedside wedding for two children on February 26, 2009 — and a son-in-law airlifted from Iraq by the Red Cross to say goodbye before Billy passed
  • Marilyn's post-loss advocacy — traveling to Washington, D.C. with MARF, becoming a CNA, and creating a nutritional guide for mesothelioma patients

Whether you're a mesothelioma caregiver seeking support, navigating treatment decisions, or looking for practical guidance on patient nutrition and daily care — this episode shares one family's complete journey.

FAQ

What does mesothelioma caregiving involve day-to-day?

Marilyn quit her job as a loan closer to provide 24/7 care for 4.5 years. Daily tasks included managing medications, nutritional supplements, travel logistics for MD Anderson visits, and emotional support through radiation side effects that prevented Billy from eating normal food.

What is an extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP)?

An EPP removes the affected lung, diaphragm, and surrounding tissue. Billy's 9-hour surgery at MD Anderson included a Gore-Tex diaphragm replacement and Kevlar heart covering. His surgeon, Dr. Rice, credited Marilyn's caregiving for Billy's 4.5-year survival.

How can families cope after a mesothelioma loss?

Marilyn channeled her grief into advocacy — lobbying Congress with MARF to ban asbestos, becoming a CNA to work with dying patients, and spreading Billy's ashes at his favorite Montana mountain spot 16 years later with family and their four-wheel-drive club.

Expert Source

Dave Foster — Executive Director of Patient Advocacy, Danziger & De Llano. 18-year veteran helping mesothelioma families.
dandell.com/david-foster/

Resources


MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> MesotheliomaPodcast.com Buzzsprout-18774724 Mon, 02 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0600 830 full false From ICU To Lifeline: Nursing Mesothelioma Care From ICU To Lifeline: Nursing Mesothelioma Care Over 80% of mesothelioma patients are initially misdiagnosed. For those who reach a specialist center, the work that happens after surgery often decides the outcome.

In this episode of MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast, host Dave Foster — Executive Director of Patient Advocacy at Danziger & De Llano with 18 years of experience — sits down with Lisa and Ellie Erickson, registered nurses with 30+ years at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, to discuss how specialist nursing transformed mesothelioma care through Dr. David Sugarbaker's International Mesothelioma Program.

Together, they cover:

  • How Dr. Sugarbaker's International Mesothelioma Program launched in 2002 — and how two ICU nurses pioneered transitional care to reduce preventable readmissions
  • The shift from surgery-first to immunotherapy as frontline treatment, and why Dr. Raphael Bueno performs 10-hour pleurectomies at Brigham
  • Why a primary care doctor may see only one mesothelioma case in a career — and what specialist centers offer that general oncology cannot
  • Complicated grief — a recognized psychiatric diagnosis — and the toll mesothelioma takes on families long after treatment ends
  • The ongoing global debate at iMig conferences over surgery's role, and why Europe is now revisiting its stance

Whether you're evaluating mesothelioma treatment centers, navigating post-surgical care, or seeking guidance on specialist support — this episode explains what to ask for and why aftercare matters.

FAQ

Why should mesothelioma patients choose a specialist center?

With only ~3,000 U.S. cases annually, a general doctor may see one case in a career. Specialist centers know the cell subtypes, offer clinical trials, and provide coordinated teams — including the aftercare Dr. Sugarbaker called essential to survival.

What is the difference between a pleurectomy and an EPP?

A pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) removes diseased tissue while preserving the lung. An extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) removes the entire lung. Brigham now performs only pleurectomies under Dr. Bueno; Dr. Joseph Friedberg continues EPPs elsewhere.

What is complicated grief?

A psychiatric diagnosis where a bereaved person cannot move forward after loss. Nurse Ellie Erickson describes encountering it at mesothelioma conferences — families retelling the same story years later, unable to process the sudden progression of this disease.

Expert Source

Dave Foster — Executive Director of Patient Advocacy, Danziger & De Llano. 18-year veteran helping mesothelioma families.
dandell.com/david-foster/

Resources

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> Over 80% of mesothelioma patients are initially misdiagnosed. For those who reach a specialist center, the work that happens after surgery often decides the outcome.

In this episode of MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast, host Dave Foster — Executive Director of Patient Advocacy at Danziger & De Llano with 18 years of experience — sits down with Lisa and Ellie Erickson, registered nurses with 30+ years at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, to discuss how specialist nursing transformed mesothelioma care through Dr. David Sugarbaker's International Mesothelioma Program.

Together, they cover:

  • How Dr. Sugarbaker's International Mesothelioma Program launched in 2002 — and how two ICU nurses pioneered transitional care to reduce preventable readmissions
  • The shift from surgery-first to immunotherapy as frontline treatment, and why Dr. Raphael Bueno performs 10-hour pleurectomies at Brigham
  • Why a primary care doctor may see only one mesothelioma case in a career — and what specialist centers offer that general oncology cannot
  • Complicated grief — a recognized psychiatric diagnosis — and the toll mesothelioma takes on families long after treatment ends
  • The ongoing global debate at iMig conferences over surgery's role, and why Europe is now revisiting its stance

Whether you're evaluating mesothelioma treatment centers, navigating post-surgical care, or seeking guidance on specialist support — this episode explains what to ask for and why aftercare matters.

FAQ

Why should mesothelioma patients choose a specialist center?

With only ~3,000 U.S. cases annually, a general doctor may see one case in a career. Specialist centers know the cell subtypes, offer clinical trials, and provide coordinated teams — including the aftercare Dr. Sugarbaker called essential to survival.

What is the difference between a pleurectomy and an EPP?

A pleurectomy/decortication (P/D) removes diseased tissue while preserving the lung. An extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) removes the entire lung. Brigham now performs only pleurectomies under Dr. Bueno; Dr. Joseph Friedberg continues EPPs elsewhere.

What is complicated grief?

A psychiatric diagnosis where a bereaved person cannot move forward after loss. Nurse Ellie Erickson describes encountering it at mesothelioma conferences — families retelling the same story years later, unable to process the sudden progression of this disease.

Expert Source

Dave Foster — Executive Director of Patient Advocacy, Danziger & De Llano. 18-year veteran helping mesothelioma families.
dandell.com/david-foster/

Resources

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> MesotheliomaPodcast.com Buzzsprout-18650402 Mon, 09 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0600 1132 full false From Grief To Advocacy From Grief To Advocacy
Episode Title

From Grief to Advocacy: How One Caregiver's Photo Album Changed a Senator's Mind


Episode Description

A mesothelioma caregiver's photo album—with no written words—moved a U.S. Senator to tears and earned her a spot at a national press conference. Marilyn Fake's journey from Capitol Hill advocate to hospital emergency department technician reveals how caregiving transforms lives long after a loved one passes.

In this episode of MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast, host Anna Jackson—Director of Patient Support at Danziger & De Llano with over 15 years of experience helping mesothelioma families—sits down with Marilyn Fake, who cared for her husband Billy through a nine-hour extrapleural pneumonectomy and radiation treatment at MD Anderson Cancer Center before becoming a hospital caregiver and "No One Dies Alone" volunteer.

Together, they cover:

  • How visual storytelling—photos of Billy before and after surgery—proved more powerful than written testimony when lobbying for an asbestos ban in Washington, D.C.
  • The talc-mesothelioma connection Marilyn raised at a 2009 MARF banquet—a link scientists later confirmed between baby powder and peritoneal mesothelioma in women
  • Practical nutrition strategies for patients with radiation-damaged esophagus, including why raspberry parfait gelatin became essential for swallowing pills
  • The "No One Dies Alone" hospital program where trained volunteers sit with dying patients who have no family—carrying a duffel bag with instrumental music and gentle light
  • Why it took 16 years to scatter Billy's ashes at his favorite Montana mountain—and how 25 friends from his four-wheel drive club made the memorial unforgettable

Whether you're caring for a loved one with mesothelioma, navigating treatment side effects, or seeking connection with others who understand this journey, this conversation offers rare practical wisdom and emotional support.

Resources:

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]>
Episode Title

From Grief to Advocacy: How One Caregiver's Photo Album Changed a Senator's Mind


Episode Description

A mesothelioma caregiver's photo album—with no written words—moved a U.S. Senator to tears and earned her a spot at a national press conference. Marilyn Fake's journey from Capitol Hill advocate to hospital emergency department technician reveals how caregiving transforms lives long after a loved one passes.

In this episode of MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast, host Anna Jackson—Director of Patient Support at Danziger & De Llano with over 15 years of experience helping mesothelioma families—sits down with Marilyn Fake, who cared for her husband Billy through a nine-hour extrapleural pneumonectomy and radiation treatment at MD Anderson Cancer Center before becoming a hospital caregiver and "No One Dies Alone" volunteer.

Together, they cover:

  • How visual storytelling—photos of Billy before and after surgery—proved more powerful than written testimony when lobbying for an asbestos ban in Washington, D.C.
  • The talc-mesothelioma connection Marilyn raised at a 2009 MARF banquet—a link scientists later confirmed between baby powder and peritoneal mesothelioma in women
  • Practical nutrition strategies for patients with radiation-damaged esophagus, including why raspberry parfait gelatin became essential for swallowing pills
  • The "No One Dies Alone" hospital program where trained volunteers sit with dying patients who have no family—carrying a duffel bag with instrumental music and gentle light
  • Why it took 16 years to scatter Billy's ashes at his favorite Montana mountain—and how 25 friends from his four-wheel drive club made the memorial unforgettable

Whether you're caring for a loved one with mesothelioma, navigating treatment side effects, or seeking connection with others who understand this journey, this conversation offers rare practical wisdom and emotional support.

Resources:

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> MesotheliomaPodcast.com Buzzsprout-18618163 Tue, 03 Feb 2026 10:00:00 -0600 1345 1 10 full false Love, Loss, and Mesothelioma: What 4.5 Years as a Caregiver Taught One Family Love, Loss, and Mesothelioma: What 4.5 Years as a Caregiver Taught One Family Episode Description:

Mesothelioma patients given 6-12 months to live sometimes survive years longer — but what does that journey actually look like for the families who walk it with them?

In this episode of MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast, Anna Jackson — Director of Patient Support at Danziger & De Llano with 15+ years of experience helping mesothelioma families — sits down with Marilyn Fake, a mesothelioma victim advocate whose husband Billy survived 4.5 years after his pleural mesothelioma diagnosis following 36 years of occupational asbestos exposure as a boilermaker welder.

Together, they cover:

  • The diagnosis moment: How a Montana ER doctor's question — "Have you ever heard of mesothelioma?" — changed everything, and why Billy's thoracic surgeon's recent MD Anderson Cancer Center fellowship opened doors to specialized treatment
  • Treatment decisions: Why Billy chose extrapleural pneumonectomy (complete lung removal) to extend his life beyond the initial 6-12 month prognosis, and what daily radiation treatment at MD Anderson was really like
  • The caregiver reality: How Marilyn quit her job to provide full-time care for 4.5 years — a commitment his surgeon credited with keeping Billy alive longer than expected
  • Finding meaning in loss: When Billy couldn't attend his children's weddings, the family brought the weddings to his hospital room — cake, champagne, and hand squeezes that said "I'm here"
  • The final goodbye: How a Red Cross-arranged visit from a son-in-law deployed in Iraq allowed Billy to let go peacefully, just 90 minutes after Ryan walked through the door

Whether you're newly diagnosed with mesothelioma, caring for a loved one with this disease, or processing your own journey through grief, this episode offers honest perspective from someone who's been there — 17 years later, still raw, still willing to help.

Resources:

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> Episode Description:

Mesothelioma patients given 6-12 months to live sometimes survive years longer — but what does that journey actually look like for the families who walk it with them?

In this episode of MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast, Anna Jackson — Director of Patient Support at Danziger & De Llano with 15+ years of experience helping mesothelioma families — sits down with Marilyn Fake, a mesothelioma victim advocate whose husband Billy survived 4.5 years after his pleural mesothelioma diagnosis following 36 years of occupational asbestos exposure as a boilermaker welder.

Together, they cover:

  • The diagnosis moment: How a Montana ER doctor's question — "Have you ever heard of mesothelioma?" — changed everything, and why Billy's thoracic surgeon's recent MD Anderson Cancer Center fellowship opened doors to specialized treatment
  • Treatment decisions: Why Billy chose extrapleural pneumonectomy (complete lung removal) to extend his life beyond the initial 6-12 month prognosis, and what daily radiation treatment at MD Anderson was really like
  • The caregiver reality: How Marilyn quit her job to provide full-time care for 4.5 years — a commitment his surgeon credited with keeping Billy alive longer than expected
  • Finding meaning in loss: When Billy couldn't attend his children's weddings, the family brought the weddings to his hospital room — cake, champagne, and hand squeezes that said "I'm here"
  • The final goodbye: How a Red Cross-arranged visit from a son-in-law deployed in Iraq allowed Billy to let go peacefully, just 90 minutes after Ryan walked through the door

Whether you're newly diagnosed with mesothelioma, caring for a loved one with this disease, or processing your own journey through grief, this episode offers honest perspective from someone who's been there — 17 years later, still raw, still willing to help.

Resources:

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> MesotheliomaPodcast.com Buzzsprout-18585679 Wed, 28 Jan 2026 13:00:00 -0600 829 full false Texas Asbestos Exposure: Refineries, Legal History & One Family's Story Texas Asbestos Exposure: Refineries, Legal History & One Family's Story Texas Asbestos Exposure: Refineries, Legal History & One Family's Story


Episode Description

Six of the top oil refineries in the United States are located in Texas—and refinery workers, construction crews, and even their families have paid the price with mesothelioma diagnoses decades later.

In this episode of MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast, host Dave Foster—Executive Director of patient advocacy at Danziger & De Llano with 18 years of experience helping mesothelioma families—sits down with Rod De Llano, Founding Partner with 25 years of mesothelioma litigation experience, and Larry Gates, Senior Client Advocate whose father died of mesothelioma in 1999 after 22 years of refinery work in Pasadena, Texas.

Together, they cover:

  • Why Texas ranks among the top three states for mesothelioma cases—alongside California and Florida—due to refineries, shipyards, and petrochemical plants concentrated along the Gulf Coast
  • The hidden danger of drilling mud: asbestos-containing drilling fluids exposed roughnecks and oil field workers until approximately 1985
  • Secondary exposure patterns: how wives and children developed mesothelioma 30+ years after breathing fibers from workers' clothing
  • How asbestos litigation began in the 1980s and led to approximately 35 trust funds now compensating victims and families
  • Larry's personal story: watching his healthy, athletic father go from active to gone in just 6 months after his 1999 diagnosis
  • Why Texas law changes in 2003 made it harder to file mesothelioma cases in the state—and where cases are filed now

Whether you're a refinery worker, construction tradesperson, military veteran stationed in Texas, or a family member seeking answers about a loved one's exposure, this episode explains the industries, timelines, and legal landscape that shaped Texas asbestos cases.

Resources:

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> Texas Asbestos Exposure: Refineries, Legal History & One Family's Story


Episode Description

Six of the top oil refineries in the United States are located in Texas—and refinery workers, construction crews, and even their families have paid the price with mesothelioma diagnoses decades later.

In this episode of MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast, host Dave Foster—Executive Director of patient advocacy at Danziger & De Llano with 18 years of experience helping mesothelioma families—sits down with Rod De Llano, Founding Partner with 25 years of mesothelioma litigation experience, and Larry Gates, Senior Client Advocate whose father died of mesothelioma in 1999 after 22 years of refinery work in Pasadena, Texas.

Together, they cover:

  • Why Texas ranks among the top three states for mesothelioma cases—alongside California and Florida—due to refineries, shipyards, and petrochemical plants concentrated along the Gulf Coast
  • The hidden danger of drilling mud: asbestos-containing drilling fluids exposed roughnecks and oil field workers until approximately 1985
  • Secondary exposure patterns: how wives and children developed mesothelioma 30+ years after breathing fibers from workers' clothing
  • How asbestos litigation began in the 1980s and led to approximately 35 trust funds now compensating victims and families
  • Larry's personal story: watching his healthy, athletic father go from active to gone in just 6 months after his 1999 diagnosis
  • Why Texas law changes in 2003 made it harder to file mesothelioma cases in the state—and where cases are filed now

Whether you're a refinery worker, construction tradesperson, military veteran stationed in Texas, or a family member seeking answers about a loved one's exposure, this episode explains the industries, timelines, and legal landscape that shaped Texas asbestos cases.

Resources:

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> MesotheliomaPodcast.com Buzzsprout-18533068 Mon, 19 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0600 1077 full false From Terminal Prognosis To Purpose: Katherine Keyes On Life After Mesothelioma From Terminal Prognosis To Purpose: Katherine Keyes On Life After Mesothelioma What does life look like when one lung has to do the work of two? We sit with Katherine Keyes for a candid, hopeful, and deeply practical conversation about rebuilding a life after mesothelioma—physically, mentally, and socially. No platitudes, just real tools: how to pace exercise without crashing, taper pain meds and oxygen safely, and design a “new normal” that protects energy while making room for joy.

Katherine walks us through the slow return to movement: starting with short treadmill sessions, adding gentle cycling, and using pulmonary testing to measure how her left lung adapted. She explains why consistency beats intensity, how rest intervals prevent setbacks, and why even light activity like gardening becomes powerful rehab for breath and mood. We talk openly about off days, the sting of lost abilities, and the counterweight of daily gratitude—small rituals that anchor motivation when willpower fades.

We also explore survivor’s guilt and the complicated relief of long-term remission. Katherine shares the role of clinicians, family, and community in keeping her grounded, and why accepting help can be as brave as offering it. The episode highlights tapering strategies for opioids and oxygen, mental health guardrails, and the value of purposeful routines. Her story is both blueprint and encouragement: redefine success, move a little most days, ask for support, and pass it forward.

If you’re navigating mesothelioma, chronic illness, or any hard reset, Katherine's wisdom will meet you where you are and help you take the next steady step. Subscribe, share with someone who needs hope today, and leave a review to help others find this conversation.

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> What does life look like when one lung has to do the work of two? We sit with Katherine Keyes for a candid, hopeful, and deeply practical conversation about rebuilding a life after mesothelioma—physically, mentally, and socially. No platitudes, just real tools: how to pace exercise without crashing, taper pain meds and oxygen safely, and design a “new normal” that protects energy while making room for joy.

Katherine walks us through the slow return to movement: starting with short treadmill sessions, adding gentle cycling, and using pulmonary testing to measure how her left lung adapted. She explains why consistency beats intensity, how rest intervals prevent setbacks, and why even light activity like gardening becomes powerful rehab for breath and mood. We talk openly about off days, the sting of lost abilities, and the counterweight of daily gratitude—small rituals that anchor motivation when willpower fades.

We also explore survivor’s guilt and the complicated relief of long-term remission. Katherine shares the role of clinicians, family, and community in keeping her grounded, and why accepting help can be as brave as offering it. The episode highlights tapering strategies for opioids and oxygen, mental health guardrails, and the value of purposeful routines. Her story is both blueprint and encouragement: redefine success, move a little most days, ask for support, and pass it forward.

If you’re navigating mesothelioma, chronic illness, or any hard reset, Katherine's wisdom will meet you where you are and help you take the next steady step. Subscribe, share with someone who needs hope today, and leave a review to help others find this conversation.

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> MesotheliomaPodcast.com Buzzsprout-18493255 Mon, 12 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0600 1760 1 7 full false From ICU To Independence: A Mesothelioma Survivor’s Road Back From ICU To Independence: A Mesothelioma Survivor’s Road Back Episode 6: Katherine Keyes — Life After Lung Removal Surgery


The median survival for pleural mesothelioma with treatment is 18-31 months—yet Katherine Keyes was diagnosed in 2007 and is still thriving 17 years later. In this episode of MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast, host Dave Foster—Executive Director of patient advocacy at Danziger & De Llano with 18 years of experience helping mesothelioma families—sits down with Katherine Keyes, a Stage 1 pleural mesothelioma survivor who defied a one-year prognosis after extrapleural pneumonectomy.

Katherine walks through the rarely discussed post-surgery reality: managing 10-12 medications on strict schedules, oxygen dependency 24 hours a day, and the physical therapy required to retrain a single lung. Her daughters moved in and split day-night shifts to coordinate care. A close friend who worked as a nurse at Methodist Hospital in Dallas stopped by every morning before her own shift to help Katherine bathe and dress. When appetite vanished and weight dropped, marinol helped restore enough hunger to stabilize.

Together, they cover:

  • Post-surgical recovery protocols: 10-12 different medications with alarm-scheduled dosing, 24/7 oxygen therapy using both portable backpack units and stationary concentrators, and the transition from walker to independent mobility
  • Daily radiation at MD Anderson Cancer Center: Katherine leased an apartment near the Houston medical district and completed five days per week of radiation therapy for two and a half months, driving herself to and from treatment
  • Physical therapy timeline and goals: Six months of stretching exercises to prevent chest wall adhesions, maintain lung capacity in the remaining lung, and rebuild strength after major surgery
  • Family support systems that work: Daughters who created medication schedules with alarm clocks, a nurse friend who provided daily care assistance, and employers (Neiman Marcus) who allowed remote work to accommodate caregiving
  • Long-term recovery realities: Katherine was not medically cleared to return to full-time work but gradually returned to part-time employment after several years, learning to balance independence with medical precautions

Whether you're facing mesothelioma surgery, supporting someone through post-surgical recovery, or navigating life after lung removal, Katherine's story offers practical guidance on oxygen management, medication coordination, rehabilitation timelines, and building support systems that sustain long-term survival.

Resources:


MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> Episode 6: Katherine Keyes — Life After Lung Removal Surgery


The median survival for pleural mesothelioma with treatment is 18-31 months—yet Katherine Keyes was diagnosed in 2007 and is still thriving 17 years later. In this episode of MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast, host Dave Foster—Executive Director of patient advocacy at Danziger & De Llano with 18 years of experience helping mesothelioma families—sits down with Katherine Keyes, a Stage 1 pleural mesothelioma survivor who defied a one-year prognosis after extrapleural pneumonectomy.

Katherine walks through the rarely discussed post-surgery reality: managing 10-12 medications on strict schedules, oxygen dependency 24 hours a day, and the physical therapy required to retrain a single lung. Her daughters moved in and split day-night shifts to coordinate care. A close friend who worked as a nurse at Methodist Hospital in Dallas stopped by every morning before her own shift to help Katherine bathe and dress. When appetite vanished and weight dropped, marinol helped restore enough hunger to stabilize.

Together, they cover:

  • Post-surgical recovery protocols: 10-12 different medications with alarm-scheduled dosing, 24/7 oxygen therapy using both portable backpack units and stationary concentrators, and the transition from walker to independent mobility
  • Daily radiation at MD Anderson Cancer Center: Katherine leased an apartment near the Houston medical district and completed five days per week of radiation therapy for two and a half months, driving herself to and from treatment
  • Physical therapy timeline and goals: Six months of stretching exercises to prevent chest wall adhesions, maintain lung capacity in the remaining lung, and rebuild strength after major surgery
  • Family support systems that work: Daughters who created medication schedules with alarm clocks, a nurse friend who provided daily care assistance, and employers (Neiman Marcus) who allowed remote work to accommodate caregiving
  • Long-term recovery realities: Katherine was not medically cleared to return to full-time work but gradually returned to part-time employment after several years, learning to balance independence with medical precautions

Whether you're facing mesothelioma surgery, supporting someone through post-surgical recovery, or navigating life after lung removal, Katherine's story offers practical guidance on oxygen management, medication coordination, rehabilitation timelines, and building support systems that sustain long-term survival.

Resources:


MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> MesotheliomaPodcast.com Buzzsprout-18427101 Mon, 05 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0600 934 full false A Patient’s Journey Through ICU, Recovery, And The Power Of Honest Doctors A Patient’s Journey Through ICU, Recovery, And The Power Of Honest Doctors Katherine Keys Part 4: Episode Description

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast

Mesothelioma patients who undergo lung-sparing surgery face an average hospital stay of 3-4 weeks—and the recovery journey requires both exceptional medical care and fierce self-advocacy.

In Part 4 of her survivor story on MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast, host Dave Foster—Executive Director of patient advocacy at Danziger & De Llano with 18 years of experience helping mesothelioma families—continues his conversation with Katherine Keys, a Stage 1 pleural mesothelioma survivor now 17+ years past her diagnosis. Katherine shares the raw reality of post-surgical recovery at MD Anderson Cancer Center, including two weeks in ICU, learning to walk again with only one functioning lung, and the moment her elderly mother climbed the front steps to welcome her home.

Together, they cover:

• The trust Katherine placed in her surgeon Dr. David Rice at MD Anderson Cancer Center—and why his no-sugarcoating communication style set expectations that held up through the hardest moments

• Two weeks in the ICU and the fatigue that comes with intensive monitoring—plus a troubling incident with an aide that led Katherine to advocate for her own safety (and how hospital leadership responded within hours)

• What graded mobility actually looks like after major thoracic surgery: using the IV pole as a walking partner, resting without quitting, and celebrating two laps around the nursing station as the discharge milestone

• The 3.5-hour drive home in 93-degree August heat with oxygen tanks, a walker, and the logistics no one prepares you for—from highway rest stops to hotel lobbies

• The gut-punch moment when Katherine's mother—newly discharged from her own hospitalization—arrived on a cane to welcome her daughter home, a reminder that healing is communal, not just clinical

Whether you're facing thoracic surgery for mesothelioma or supporting someone through recovery, this episode reveals what really happens between the operating room and returning home—and how honest communication, patient self-advocacy, and family support braid together to pull someone through.

Resources: 

• Mesothelioma Diagnosis & Treatment: https://dandell.com/mesothelioma-diagnosis/ 

• Dave Foster, Executive Director of Patient Advocacy: https://dandell.com/david-foster/ 

• Understanding Mesothelioma: https://dandell.com/mesothelioma/ 

• Free Consultation: https://dandell.com/contact-us/

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> Katherine Keys Part 4: Episode Description

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast

Mesothelioma patients who undergo lung-sparing surgery face an average hospital stay of 3-4 weeks—and the recovery journey requires both exceptional medical care and fierce self-advocacy.

In Part 4 of her survivor story on MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast, host Dave Foster—Executive Director of patient advocacy at Danziger & De Llano with 18 years of experience helping mesothelioma families—continues his conversation with Katherine Keys, a Stage 1 pleural mesothelioma survivor now 17+ years past her diagnosis. Katherine shares the raw reality of post-surgical recovery at MD Anderson Cancer Center, including two weeks in ICU, learning to walk again with only one functioning lung, and the moment her elderly mother climbed the front steps to welcome her home.

Together, they cover:

• The trust Katherine placed in her surgeon Dr. David Rice at MD Anderson Cancer Center—and why his no-sugarcoating communication style set expectations that held up through the hardest moments

• Two weeks in the ICU and the fatigue that comes with intensive monitoring—plus a troubling incident with an aide that led Katherine to advocate for her own safety (and how hospital leadership responded within hours)

• What graded mobility actually looks like after major thoracic surgery: using the IV pole as a walking partner, resting without quitting, and celebrating two laps around the nursing station as the discharge milestone

• The 3.5-hour drive home in 93-degree August heat with oxygen tanks, a walker, and the logistics no one prepares you for—from highway rest stops to hotel lobbies

• The gut-punch moment when Katherine's mother—newly discharged from her own hospitalization—arrived on a cane to welcome her daughter home, a reminder that healing is communal, not just clinical

Whether you're facing thoracic surgery for mesothelioma or supporting someone through recovery, this episode reveals what really happens between the operating room and returning home—and how honest communication, patient self-advocacy, and family support braid together to pull someone through.

Resources: 

• Mesothelioma Diagnosis & Treatment: https://dandell.com/mesothelioma-diagnosis/ 

• Dave Foster, Executive Director of Patient Advocacy: https://dandell.com/david-foster/ 

• Understanding Mesothelioma: https://dandell.com/mesothelioma/ 

• Free Consultation: https://dandell.com/contact-us/

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> MesotheliomaPodcast.com Buzzsprout-18426940 Mon, 29 Dec 2025 11:00:00 -0600 1203 full false They Called Her Family to Say Goodbye: Katherine Keys' Mesothelioma Surgery and 18-Year Survival (Part 3) They Called Her Family to Say Goodbye: Katherine Keys' Mesothelioma Surgery and 18-Year Survival (Part 3) "They Called Her Family to Say Goodbye: Katherine Keys' Mesothelioma Surgery and 18-Year Survival (Part 3)"

Katherine Keys was given 12-18 months to live after her pleural mesothelioma diagnosis. More than 18 years later, she's the longest documented pleural mesothelioma survivor in the world. In this final episode of her three-part interview, Katherine describes her extrapleural pneumonectomy surgery, the moment her family was told she wouldn't survive, and why choosing an expert surgeon saved her life.

In This Episode: 

• What to expect before, during, and after extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) surgery 

• Katherine's experience on life support when her family was called to say goodbye 

• The 50/50 risk of nerve damage she faced going into surgery 

• Why choosing a mesothelioma specialist—not a generalist—can mean life or death

Who Should Listen: Mesothelioma patients considering surgery, caregivers preparing to support a loved one, and anyone seeking hope from someone who defied a terminal prognosis.

FAQ

What is an extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP)? EPP is a radical surgical procedure that removes the affected lung, lung lining (pleura), portions of the diaphragm, and heart lining (pericardium). Surgery typically requires accessing the chest through the back and may involve breaking a rib. EPP is now performed less frequently, with many surgeons preferring pleurectomy/decortication (P/D).

What is the typical mesothelioma survival rate? Median survival is 12-21 months without treatment and 18-31 months with treatment. The 5-year survival rate is approximately 10-12%. Long-term survivors like Katherine Keys are rare but demonstrate survival is possible with expert care.

Why choose a mesothelioma specialist surgeon? With only ~3,000 U.S. cases annually, most surgeons see one or two cases in their careers. Specialists at centers like MD Anderson, Brigham and Women's, or Memorial Sloan Kettering have performed hundreds of procedures. Katherine credits her survival to choosing Dr. David Rice rather than staying with her initial physician.

About the Participants

Dave Foster — Executive Director of Patient Advocacy at Danziger & De Llano (18 years experience). Author of Beating The Odds: Surviving with Mesothelioma.

Katherine Keys — Longest documented pleural mesothelioma survivor (18+ years post-diagnosis and EPP surgery).

Anna Jackson — Director of Patient Support at Danziger & De Llano (nearly 15 years experience).

Resources

Book: Beating The Odds: Surviving with Mesothelioma by Dave Foster

Danziger & De Llano: https://dandell.com 

• Mesothelioma Lawsuits

• Asbestos Trust Funds ($30B+ available)

• Veterans & Mesothelioma

Episode Series:

  1. Understanding Mesothelioma: First Steps After a Diagnosis
  2. The Longest-Known Survivor of Pleural Mesothelioma: Katherine Keys' 18-Year Journey (Part 1)
  3. 18 Years After Lung Removal: Katherine Keys' Record-Breaking Survival Story (Part 2)
  4. They Called Her Family to Say Goodbye: Katherine Keys' Surgery and 18-Year Survival (Part 3) — this episode

Sponsor: MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. Free consultation: https://dandell.com

Information only—not medical or legal advice.



MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> "They Called Her Family to Say Goodbye: Katherine Keys' Mesothelioma Surgery and 18-Year Survival (Part 3)"

Katherine Keys was given 12-18 months to live after her pleural mesothelioma diagnosis. More than 18 years later, she's the longest documented pleural mesothelioma survivor in the world. In this final episode of her three-part interview, Katherine describes her extrapleural pneumonectomy surgery, the moment her family was told she wouldn't survive, and why choosing an expert surgeon saved her life.

In This Episode: 

• What to expect before, during, and after extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) surgery 

• Katherine's experience on life support when her family was called to say goodbye 

• The 50/50 risk of nerve damage she faced going into surgery 

• Why choosing a mesothelioma specialist—not a generalist—can mean life or death

Who Should Listen: Mesothelioma patients considering surgery, caregivers preparing to support a loved one, and anyone seeking hope from someone who defied a terminal prognosis.

FAQ

What is an extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP)? EPP is a radical surgical procedure that removes the affected lung, lung lining (pleura), portions of the diaphragm, and heart lining (pericardium). Surgery typically requires accessing the chest through the back and may involve breaking a rib. EPP is now performed less frequently, with many surgeons preferring pleurectomy/decortication (P/D).

What is the typical mesothelioma survival rate? Median survival is 12-21 months without treatment and 18-31 months with treatment. The 5-year survival rate is approximately 10-12%. Long-term survivors like Katherine Keys are rare but demonstrate survival is possible with expert care.

Why choose a mesothelioma specialist surgeon? With only ~3,000 U.S. cases annually, most surgeons see one or two cases in their careers. Specialists at centers like MD Anderson, Brigham and Women's, or Memorial Sloan Kettering have performed hundreds of procedures. Katherine credits her survival to choosing Dr. David Rice rather than staying with her initial physician.

About the Participants

Dave Foster — Executive Director of Patient Advocacy at Danziger & De Llano (18 years experience). Author of Beating The Odds: Surviving with Mesothelioma.

Katherine Keys — Longest documented pleural mesothelioma survivor (18+ years post-diagnosis and EPP surgery).

Anna Jackson — Director of Patient Support at Danziger & De Llano (nearly 15 years experience).

Resources

Book: Beating The Odds: Surviving with Mesothelioma by Dave Foster

Danziger & De Llano: https://dandell.com 

• Mesothelioma Lawsuits

• Asbestos Trust Funds ($30B+ available)

• Veterans & Mesothelioma

Episode Series:

  1. Understanding Mesothelioma: First Steps After a Diagnosis
  2. The Longest-Known Survivor of Pleural Mesothelioma: Katherine Keys' 18-Year Journey (Part 1)
  3. 18 Years After Lung Removal: Katherine Keys' Record-Breaking Survival Story (Part 2)
  4. They Called Her Family to Say Goodbye: Katherine Keys' Surgery and 18-Year Survival (Part 3) — this episode

Sponsor: MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. Free consultation: https://dandell.com

Information only—not medical or legal advice.



MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> MesotheliomaPodcast.com Buzzsprout-18350941 Mon, 15 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0600 820 full false 18 Years After Lung Removal: Katherine Keys' Record-Breaking Mesothelioma Survival Story (Part 2) 18 Years After Lung Removal: Katherine Keys' Record-Breaking Mesothelioma Survival Story (Part 2) Katherine Keys was given one year to live. Eighteen years later, she's the longest-surviving mesothelioma patient to undergo extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP)—a surgery so aggressive that European studies concluded it wasn't worth performing.

In Part 2 of this two-part episode of MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast, host Dave Foster—Executive Director of patient advocacy at Danziger & De Llano with 18 years of experience—continues his conversation with Katherine, an 18-year pleural mesothelioma survivor whose outcome defied every statistic.

Together, they cover:

  • How Dr. David Rice performed Katherine's EPP on July 18, 2007, removing her lung and lung lining through an incision requiring rib access—and why she credits his thoroughness for her outcome
  • The six-month oxygen dependency that followed surgery—requiring supplemental oxygen 24/7, even in the shower—and the physical therapy needed to relearn basic functions like swallowing
  • Why Katherine's case was discussed at the International Mesothelioma Interest Group meeting in Philadelphia, where surgeons confirmed no other EPP patient has survived as long
  • The daily limitations she manages 18 years later, including nerve damage on her right side, breathing difficulties on poor air quality days, and needing to eat slowly to prevent food from going back up
  • How her pre-surgery fitness level—she was an avid runner who worked out constantly—likely contributed to her eligibility for and recovery from such an invasive procedure
  • The role of faith and gratitude in her survival: "Every morning I always count my blessings to be still alive"
  • Why she refuses a lung transplant and continues to see Dr. Rice, who calls her a "celebrity" at the clinic
  • Her message to newly diagnosed patients: "It's okay if you have a bad day"—perspective from someone who beat 12-month survival odds by more than 17 years

Who this episode is for: Patients considering EPP surgery, families weighing aggressive treatment options, long-term survivors navigating life after mesothelioma treatment, and anyone who needs proof that outcomes can exceed the most dire prognoses.

The average mesothelioma survival after EPP is 18-31 months. Katherine's 18+ years represents an extraordinary outcome—and her story offers both practical insights about post-surgical recovery and genuine hope for families facing this diagnosis.

Resources:

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit https://dandell.com/

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> Katherine Keys was given one year to live. Eighteen years later, she's the longest-surviving mesothelioma patient to undergo extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP)—a surgery so aggressive that European studies concluded it wasn't worth performing.

In Part 2 of this two-part episode of MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast, host Dave Foster—Executive Director of patient advocacy at Danziger & De Llano with 18 years of experience—continues his conversation with Katherine, an 18-year pleural mesothelioma survivor whose outcome defied every statistic.

Together, they cover:

  • How Dr. David Rice performed Katherine's EPP on July 18, 2007, removing her lung and lung lining through an incision requiring rib access—and why she credits his thoroughness for her outcome
  • The six-month oxygen dependency that followed surgery—requiring supplemental oxygen 24/7, even in the shower—and the physical therapy needed to relearn basic functions like swallowing
  • Why Katherine's case was discussed at the International Mesothelioma Interest Group meeting in Philadelphia, where surgeons confirmed no other EPP patient has survived as long
  • The daily limitations she manages 18 years later, including nerve damage on her right side, breathing difficulties on poor air quality days, and needing to eat slowly to prevent food from going back up
  • How her pre-surgery fitness level—she was an avid runner who worked out constantly—likely contributed to her eligibility for and recovery from such an invasive procedure
  • The role of faith and gratitude in her survival: "Every morning I always count my blessings to be still alive"
  • Why she refuses a lung transplant and continues to see Dr. Rice, who calls her a "celebrity" at the clinic
  • Her message to newly diagnosed patients: "It's okay if you have a bad day"—perspective from someone who beat 12-month survival odds by more than 17 years

Who this episode is for: Patients considering EPP surgery, families weighing aggressive treatment options, long-term survivors navigating life after mesothelioma treatment, and anyone who needs proof that outcomes can exceed the most dire prognoses.

The average mesothelioma survival after EPP is 18-31 months. Katherine's 18+ years represents an extraordinary outcome—and her story offers both practical insights about post-surgical recovery and genuine hope for families facing this diagnosis.

Resources:

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit https://dandell.com/

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> MesotheliomaPodcast.com Buzzsprout-18317898 Mon, 08 Dec 2025 09:00:00 -0600 836 mesothelioma survivor, extrapleural pneumonectomy, pleural mesothelioma, long-term mesothelioma survival, mesothelioma surgery recovery 1 3 full false The Longest-Known Survivor of Pleural Mesothelioma: Katherine Keys’ 18-Year Journey (Part 1) The Longest-Known Survivor of Pleural Mesothelioma: Katherine Keys’ 18-Year Journey (Part 1) The median survival for pleural mesothelioma is 18-31 months with treatment—yet Katherine Keys has survived for 18 years, making her the longest-known survivor of this aggressive asbestos-related cancer.

In this first episode of a two-part series on MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast, host Dave Foster—Executive Director of patient advocacy at Danziger & De Llano with 18 years of experience helping mesothelioma families—sits down with Katherine Keys, an 18-year pleural mesothelioma survivor, to discuss her extraordinary journey from initial symptoms through misdiagnosis, surgery, and long-term survivorship.

Together, they cover:

  • The early warning signs Katherine experienced—and why her symptoms were initially misdiagnosed before doctors confirmed malignant pleural mesothelioma
  • Why she sought out a mesothelioma specialist rather than relying on a general oncologist, and how that decision changed her outcome
  • The major lung surgery that removed her cancer—and what recovery and daily life look like 18 years later with one lung
  • The mindset, family support, and medical team that helped her beat odds that give most patients less than three years
  • Her advice for newly diagnosed patients: why acting quickly and finding the right surgeon matters more than anything

Whether you've just received a mesothelioma diagnosis or you're supporting a loved one through treatment decisions, Katherine's story offers proof that outcomes can far exceed expectations with specialized care, early action, and the right team.

Part 2 of Katherine's story releases next week.

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> The median survival for pleural mesothelioma is 18-31 months with treatment—yet Katherine Keys has survived for 18 years, making her the longest-known survivor of this aggressive asbestos-related cancer.

In this first episode of a two-part series on MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast, host Dave Foster—Executive Director of patient advocacy at Danziger & De Llano with 18 years of experience helping mesothelioma families—sits down with Katherine Keys, an 18-year pleural mesothelioma survivor, to discuss her extraordinary journey from initial symptoms through misdiagnosis, surgery, and long-term survivorship.

Together, they cover:

  • The early warning signs Katherine experienced—and why her symptoms were initially misdiagnosed before doctors confirmed malignant pleural mesothelioma
  • Why she sought out a mesothelioma specialist rather than relying on a general oncologist, and how that decision changed her outcome
  • The major lung surgery that removed her cancer—and what recovery and daily life look like 18 years later with one lung
  • The mindset, family support, and medical team that helped her beat odds that give most patients less than three years
  • Her advice for newly diagnosed patients: why acting quickly and finding the right surgeon matters more than anything

Whether you've just received a mesothelioma diagnosis or you're supporting a loved one through treatment decisions, Katherine's story offers proof that outcomes can far exceed expectations with specialized care, early action, and the right team.

Part 2 of Katherine's story releases next week.

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> MesotheliomaPodcast.com Buzzsprout-18285920 Tue, 02 Dec 2025 09:00:00 -0600 882 1 2 full false Understanding Mesothelioma: First Steps After a Diagnosis Understanding Mesothelioma: First Steps After a Diagnosis Only about 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year—and the average patient sees three doctors before receiving an accurate diagnosis. Knowing what to do in those critical first weeks can change everything.

In the very first episode of MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast, host Matthew Bertram sits down with Paul Danziger—founding partner of Danziger & De Llano with over 30 years of mesothelioma litigation experience—and Dave Foster, Executive Director of patient advocacy with 18 years helping mesothelioma families, to cover everything families need to know after a mesothelioma diagnosis.

Together, they discuss:

  • Why the 20-50 year latency period between asbestos exposure and diagnosis catches most families completely off guard—and what that means for your legal timeline
  • How specialized treatment centers like MD Anderson, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Moffitt Cancer Center approach mesothelioma differently than local oncologists
  • The critical steps families should take in the first 30 days—from securing medical records to understanding your options for surgery, chemotherapy, and clinical trials
  • How patient advocates help families access over $30 billion in asbestos trust funds, VA benefits, and legal compensation simultaneously
  • What survivors who have beaten the 12-21 month median survival prognosis did differently—and how early action and specialized care made the difference
  • The emotional and practical support available to families in the overwhelming days and weeks following diagnosis

Who this episode is for: Families who have just received a mesothelioma diagnosis, those researching options for a loved one, and anyone exposed to asbestos who wants to understand the risks.

Whether you're navigating a new diagnosis or supporting someone who is, this episode provides the roadmap for what comes next. You're not alone—and this is where to begin.

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> Only about 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year—and the average patient sees three doctors before receiving an accurate diagnosis. Knowing what to do in those critical first weeks can change everything.

In the very first episode of MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast, host Matthew Bertram sits down with Paul Danziger—founding partner of Danziger & De Llano with over 30 years of mesothelioma litigation experience—and Dave Foster, Executive Director of patient advocacy with 18 years helping mesothelioma families, to cover everything families need to know after a mesothelioma diagnosis.

Together, they discuss:

  • Why the 20-50 year latency period between asbestos exposure and diagnosis catches most families completely off guard—and what that means for your legal timeline
  • How specialized treatment centers like MD Anderson, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Moffitt Cancer Center approach mesothelioma differently than local oncologists
  • The critical steps families should take in the first 30 days—from securing medical records to understanding your options for surgery, chemotherapy, and clinical trials
  • How patient advocates help families access over $30 billion in asbestos trust funds, VA benefits, and legal compensation simultaneously
  • What survivors who have beaten the 12-21 month median survival prognosis did differently—and how early action and specialized care made the difference
  • The emotional and practical support available to families in the overwhelming days and weeks following diagnosis

Who this episode is for: Families who have just received a mesothelioma diagnosis, those researching options for a loved one, and anyone exposed to asbestos who wants to understand the risks.

Whether you're navigating a new diagnosis or supporting someone who is, this episode provides the roadmap for what comes next. You're not alone—and this is where to begin.

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

]]> MesotheliomaPodcast.com Buzzsprout-18247266 Mon, 24 Nov 2025 15:00:00 -0600 1639 1 1 full false Paul Danziger David Foster Anna Jackson