Phyllis Ader

Mesothelioma Patient Stories

In the summer of 2009, Phyllis Ader experienced difficulty breathing. Her doctor thought it might be caused by bronchitis, so he prescribed medication. But her symptoms did not improve. "My sister had bronchitis at the same time, but she recovered and I didn't," recalled Phyllis. Her doctor ordered an x-ray, which did not uncover anything suspicious - in fact, her lung did not show up. The radiologist figured she had a lung removed.

Her doctor grew concerned and sent Phyllis to her local hospital where doctors realized her lung had collapsed and was filled with fluid. When they removed the fluid, her lung did not inflate, as it should have. They took biopsies and placed talc to 'glue her lung' to the chest wall. Further testing revealed she had a rare type of cancer called mesothelioma.

Mesothelioma is often the result of exposure to asbestos. When Phyllis was young, she worked in her father's restaurant, which was located in Mansfield, New Jersey next to an infamous asbestos plant. She will never know for sure if that was the cause, but since she never smoked, she believes it may have been. The disease originates in the meothelium, a protective lining that covers organs - and is most often found in the chest cavity.

"I wanted to go to Fox Chase Cancer Center for a second opinion."

Oncologists at her local hospital diagnosed Phyllis with stage III/IV mesothelioma, which is very aggressive. They suggested a course of chemotherapy, but they were not sure how long it would prolong her life. "I was tiered and had lost weight, but as soon as I digested the news, I wanted to go to Fox Chase Cancer Center for a second opinion," admitted Phyllis, whose cousin had been treated for prostate cancer there.

Phyllis made her first appointment with a thoracic surgeon at Fox Chase, where she learned that her treatment would depend on her stage of disease, as well as review of the biopsies taken in New Jersey by Fox Chase pathologists. "I was a mess, both physically and mentally," Phyllis admits.

During her initial visit, Phyllis's surgeon was concerned about swelling that she had in one leg and immediately ordered tests. The test results confirmed that Phyllis had a life-threatening blood clot in her leg and good lung, so she was hospitalized for one day. A filter was placed in her main vein (vena cava) and she began taking blood thinners.

"My doctors comforted me throughout this ordeal and eased my mind."

Phyllis's doctors recommended a cervical staging mediastinoscopy (a biopsy of lymph nodes along the trachea to stage progression of the disease) and a feeding tube to help Phyllis receive adequate nutrition. Next, they arranged for a therapist to work with Phyllis at her house to build her strength, so she could undergo surgery.

"I couldn't have asked for better people to take care of me."

Good friend, Barbara Monaco (right), gets Phyllis to and from her appointments.

By September, it was determined that Phyllis was strong enough for surgery. She underwent a delicate procedure, called a radical pleurectomy, in which the cancer was removed from her chest. She spent several days in intensive care and admits she was scared. "Everything turned out fine. I couldn't have asked for better people to take care of me. The staff treated me like I was a queen," shared Phyllis. "From the nurses to the janitor - everyone was attentive to my needs."

"The staff at Fox Chase are phenomenal."

Following the surgery, Phyllis learned that all of the cancer was removed during the extensive procedure. "The staff at Fox Chase are phenomenal. They are up-front and honest, which is important, but also caring and compassionate."

"I have been so fortunate to have the best team of doctors looking out for me."

Phyllis recovered from surgery and began her next step - chemotherapy. She then followed with a course of radiation therapy. Her doctor told her that the human body has spare parts for a reason and that she could survive with one lung. That gave her hope for the future.

"I have been so fortunate to have the best team of doctors looking out for me and all working together to get me the best possible result," Phyllis said. "Each one is so special."

Phyllis is also grateful to her 3 grown children for their help in getting her to and from doctor appointments. She became a widow in 1995, when she lost her husband to lung cancer. At that point, her youngest daughter, Michelle, invited her mom to live with her family. Phyllis helps take care of the house - and her grandchildren. For fun, Phyllis creates ceramic pieces of art.

"I don't think I would have survived as long as I have if I went somewhere else."

"Fox Chase is not like any other hospital," Phyllis added. "The people treat you like family." Although there are other hospitals closer to her home, Phyllis said she would not consider going anywhere other than Fox Chase. "I don't think I would have survived as long as I have if I went somewhere else."