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Minister Discovers He Has Pleural Mesothelioma
Andrew Manuel was exposed to asbestos as a child in New Orleans. He later developed pleural mesothelioma. His wife Latanyta explains his symptoms prior to his diagnosis.
True Stories
Each year nearly 3,000 people are diagnosed with mesothelioma. Our True Stories library gives you access to just a few of these people and their family members. These videos tell the stories of fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters – all people that have been uniquely affected by mesothelioma.
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Ernie Conry
Ernie Conry experienced symptoms for nearly 8 years before being diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma in 2002. A resident of St. Louis, Missouri, Ernie was exposed to asbestos throughout his life, most notably as an auto mechanic. Ernie has used chemotherapy to fight his pleural mesothelioma, though he also attributes his positive attitude to his success coping with the disease.
Shelly Kozicki
Shelly Kozicki’s husband Craig has been living with peritoneal mesothelioma since 1998. He was diagnosed after experiencing symptoms of weight loss and a build-up of fluid in the abdomen (ascites). His doctors told him there was no effective treatment for this rare disease, and to get my affairs in order. Determined to fight, Craig has since had multiple surgeries and rounds of chemotherapy and radiation. He attributes his success in fighting his disease not only to the mesothelioma specialists he has relied on for year, but also to his wife Shelly, his daughter Emily, and his vast network of supporting friends and family.
Latanyta Manuel
Lantanyta Manuel’s husband Andrew was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma in 2002 after having been exposed to asbestos as a child in New Orleans and throughout his life. Andrew lost his battle in January of 2004 after a series of surgeries and chemotherapies, leaving behind Lantanyta and their three children. Andrew always encouraged his family to “never give up.” Today Lantanyta honors his words by serving on the Board of Directors of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation and fighting for a cure.
Patricia Trocki
Patricia Trocki lost her father Joe in 2004 after a three year battle with pleural mesothelioma. A World War II veteran and former pattern maker, Joe was exposed to asbestos throughout his life. To combat his pleural mesothelioma, Joe participated in a series of clinical trials involving chemotherapy at the University of Chicago. Patricia and her family feel passionately that asbestos should be banned in the United States and throughout the world.
Mary Jane Williams
Mary Jane Williams has been cancer free of peritoneal mesothelioma for nearly four years. She was diagnosed in 2003 after struggling for a year to diagnose her symptoms – including a bloating of the abdomen and profuse episodes of sweating. With the aid of mesothelioma specialists in New York, Mary Jane fought her cancer with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments. Today she acts as an advocate for mesothelioma patients from all across the country.
