"We cannot tell the precise moment when friendship is formed. As in filling a vessel drop by drop, there is at last a drop which makes it run over; so in a series of kindnesses there is at last one which makes the heart run over."
-James Boswell
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Friends
I cannot remember the moment I became aware of other mesothelioma warriors around the globe, but, sometime in the last few years, my friendship base grew from a couple of people I knew from Boston to many people from all over the world—the United Kingdom, Australia, Brazil; the list goes on and on. A few in particular stuck out because of their fierce passion against this disease and what it has done to their lives and to others’ lives as well. “Turn anger into action,” they say. Sadly, many have passed, succumbed to this dreadful disease and mourned by people worldwide. Many are doing well, fighting hard, and making it known that they won’t give in. I was lucky enough to meet one of these brave women this last weekend when my husband and I attended the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization’s annual conference in Los Angeles, CA.
Debbie Brewer is a tireless mesothelioma warrior in England. We became Facebook friends about 3 years ago and we both had been aware of each other for months before that. Debbie and I have a lot in common; I nicknamed my tumor Punxatawny Phil and she nicknamed hers Theo; we both sought out rather extreme mesothelioma treatments for our disease and we both had great success with them. The friendship grew through the last few years; I would cheer her on when she was giving speeches all over the UK about her battle and she would do the same for me when I was asked to share my story at various conferences. When I found out she was to receive the The Alan Reinstein Award for her commitment to education, advocacy, and support to the many people she comes in contact with, I was elated! It also meant that we might actually be able to meet after all this time since I planned on attending the ADAO Conference as well.
