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Posted on Friday, Jun 18, 2010

Texas Firefighter Returns to Work While Battling Peritoneal Mesothelioma

A firefighter in Beaumont, Texas is back on the job even though he continues to battle peritoneal mesothelioma.  David Chesser has been a firefighter for 36 years, and his biggest accomplishment now, he says, is being able to return to work after being on sick leave for 14 months for mesothelioma treatment.

Peritoneal mesothelioma is a form of cancer that is almost always caused by asbestos exposure and affects the lining of the abdomen.  While there are close to 3,000 cases of mesothelioma diagnosed in the United States each year, less than 10% of those are peritoneal.  Firefighters face exposure to asbestos if the substance is present in a structure and the fibers are disturbed in a fire or a building collapse.

Doctors discovered Chesser’s mesothelioma after periodic visits to a physician for a nagging shoulder injury.  When his cancer was discovered, Chesser had 12 tumors and 55 pounds of fluid in his abdomen.   Although there is no cure for mesothelioma, it can be treated with varying degrees of success through the use of surgical procedures, chemotherapy and radiation.  Chesser traveled to Nebraska for his treatment.

Chesser returns to work as district fire chief after receiving a promotion while out on sick leave.  Chesser thanks his fellow firefighters for all their support while he was out.  “I wanted to be back with these guys. I didn’t want the cancer to make me quit my job,” said Chesser.

Source:  KFDM-6 News