Rick's pericardial mesothelioma diagnosis.

It was way back in 2004 that I happened to know about it. I am talking about pericardial mesothelioma - a rare form of cancer that forms in the mesothelium. My friend Rick, aged about 35, was a contractor who had a small business dealing in house construction. We were good friends and I got acquainted to him by way of some house repair that I wanted done. He proved worthy of it and we became good friends, often spending Friday evenings over beer.

It started on a fine evening in September 2004. I was traveling way back to my apartment after a hectic day of work, when his call came. At first I thought he would invite me for a drink and I was looking forward to it. He spoke slowly with gasps and his voice sounded very faint, as if coming from distance. He complained about pain in his chest and difficulty in breathing. I at once offered to come down and take him to hospital, but he said he would manage. Not thinking twice, I agreed.

The week passed and the following Friday evening he was not at his home when I called. This went on for next two weeks and realizing that something must be wrong. I went up to his home one afternoon. He was lying down in his bed and coughing like an old man. His breathing was irregular. I insisted on visiting a hospital, but he dismissed it. I kept staring at him and finally he whispered, “It's pericardial mesothelioma”. At first I didn’t get it and looked at him. He slowly repeated holding his chest with hand. Over a glass of warm coffee, prepared by me, he slowly explained that in the last month he had been suffering from severe chest pain, coughing, and irregular heartbeat. He also felt very tired when out. He had consulted a good doctor and after a week of physical examination, they diagnosed pericardial mesothelioma.

That night I did some research online about this disease and found that pericardial mesothelioma accounts for approximately half of all pericardial tumors and is extremely rare. Pericardial mesothelioma is only known to be caused by exposure to asbestos. Asbestos is often used in buildings and its fibers can become airborne, and can be inhaled or ingested and penetrate the mesothelium.

The next couples of months were very painful. It was filled with running to various doctors and hospitals and enquiring about the treatment of pericardial mesothelioma. I still remember the agony of my friend throughout all this.

It is now more than 5 years but I still remember the term pericardial mesothelioma which took away my friend from me. I spent sleepless nights and making rounds of various hospitals for my friend’s cure, all which could not save the life of my friend.