Struggle Of Bob Harthcock Against Mesothelioma
Bob Harthcock of Houston has been a responsible manger throughout his work life in ARMCO Steel Plant, which is the largest steel plant, situated in the west of Mississippi. His career stared as a helper till he headed hundreds of men as the maintenance foreman. But it was not known that sincerety would ever pay a price in the form of Mesothelioma. Bob had to spend long hours in the plant to supervise his men and his strong work ethic was based on Hands on Management.
In this course he had been inhaling the deadly asbestos fibers without knowing that the asbestos fibers and dust would cause him cancer one day. Jean, his wife also faced a risk of asbestosis when she used to shake her husband’s clothes to free them off asbestos dust particles after he returned from the plant. The couple had volunteered in the social causes even with the deadly disease as their companion.
The doctors at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center were astonished to see Bob’s long survival with the disease for a period of seven years when it was a known fact that the average life expectancy of a malignant mesothelioma patient is between six to eight months. On May, 28, 2000 Bob left this world as a gallant hero fighting with death. But he lived a long life- his great-grandson was born on the day of his death!
Another hero who tamed the disease was Willard Dahl of Spokane. It was in the year 1992 that Willard stared facing breathing problems. In the year 1996, he was diagnosed to be suffering from mesothelioma. But he took life easily and continued his morning walk, taking his wife for lunch to the town everyday although he could feel that his lungs were not functioning like before. Dr. Loveli, his doctor was very happy to see his progress. He was a non smoker, which aided much in the recovery process. Courage and inspiration help in recovery.