MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast

MesotheliomaPodcast.com
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MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is a supportive, medically informed, and deeply human show dedicated to helping families navigate life after a mesothelioma diagnosis. Hosted by patient advocate, Dave Foster, the podcast brings together the voices of doctors, survivors, caregivers, and leading experts to deliver clarity, guidance, and hope when it’s needed most. Sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, one of the nation’s most experienced mesothelioma law firms, the show offers more than legal insight—it provides practical direction, emotional support, and a roadmap for getting the best medical care as quickly as possible. Whether you or a loved one has just been diagnosed or you're searching for trusted information, MESO breaks down the medical, legal, and personal impact of this rare disease in a way that’s easy to understand and compassionate at every step. Every episode delivers meaningful conversations, survivor stories, expert interviews, and actionable next steps so families can make informed decisions with confidence. If you need answers, support, or guidance—you’re in the right place. For more information, visit Danziger & De Llano at Dandell.com.

Episodes

  1. 3D AGO

    A Patient’s Journey Through ICU, Recovery, And The Power Of Honest Doctors

    Katherine Keys Part 4: Episode DescriptionMESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast Mesothelioma patients who undergo lung-sparing surgery face an average hospital stay of 3-4 weeks—and the recovery journey requires both exceptional medical care and fierce self-advocacy. In Part 4 of her survivor story on MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast, host Dave Foster—Executive Director of patient advocacy at Danziger & De Llano with 18 years of experience helping mesothelioma families—continues his conversation with Katherine Keys, a Stage 1 pleural mesothelioma survivor now 17+ years past her diagnosis. Katherine shares the raw reality of post-surgical recovery at MD Anderson Cancer Center, including two weeks in ICU, learning to walk again with only one functioning lung, and the moment her elderly mother climbed the front steps to welcome her home. Together, they cover: • The trust Katherine placed in her surgeon Dr. David Rice at MD Anderson Cancer Center—and why his no-sugarcoating communication style set expectations that held up through the hardest moments • Two weeks in the ICU and the fatigue that comes with intensive monitoring—plus a troubling incident with an aide that led Katherine to advocate for her own safety (and how hospital leadership responded within hours) • What graded mobility actually looks like after major thoracic surgery: using the IV pole as a walking partner, resting without quitting, and celebrating two laps around the nursing station as the discharge milestone • The 3.5-hour drive home in 93-degree August heat with oxygen tanks, a walker, and the logistics no one prepares you for—from highway rest stops to hotel lobbies • The gut-punch moment when Katherine's mother—newly discharged from her own hospitalization—arrived on a cane to welcome her daughter home, a reminder that healing is communal, not just clinical Whether you're facing thoracic surgery for mesothelioma or supporting someone through recovery, this episode reveals what really happens between the operating room and returning home—and how honest communication, patient self-advocacy, and family support braid together to pull someone through. Resources:  • Mesothelioma Diagnosis & Treatment: https://dandell.com/mesothelioma-diagnosis/  • Dave Foster, Executive Director of Patient Advocacy: https://dandell.com/david-foster/  • Understanding Mesothelioma: https://dandell.com/mesothelioma/  • Free Consultation: https://dandell.com/contact-us/ MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

    20 min

  2. 12/15/2025

    They Called Her Family to Say Goodbye: Katherine Keys' Mesothelioma Surgery and 18-Year Survival (Part 3)

    "They Called Her Family to Say Goodbye: Katherine Keys' Mesothelioma Surgery and 18-Year Survival (Part 3)" Katherine Keys was given 12-18 months to live after her pleural mesothelioma diagnosis. More than 18 years later, she's the longest documented pleural mesothelioma survivor in the world. In this final episode of her three-part interview, Katherine describes her extrapleural pneumonectomy surgery, the moment her family was told she wouldn't survive, and why choosing an expert surgeon saved her life. In This Episode:  • What to expect before, during, and after extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) surgery  • Katherine's experience on life support when her family was called to say goodbye  • The 50/50 risk of nerve damage she faced going into surgery  • Why choosing a mesothelioma specialist—not a generalist—can mean life or death Who Should Listen: Mesothelioma patients considering surgery, caregivers preparing to support a loved one, and anyone seeking hope from someone who defied a terminal prognosis. FAQ What is an extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP)? EPP is a radical surgical procedure that removes the affected lung, lung lining (pleura), portions of the diaphragm, and heart lining (pericardium). Surgery typically requires accessing the chest through the back and may involve breaking a rib. EPP is now performed less frequently, with many surgeons preferring pleurectomy/decortication (P/D). What is the typical mesothelioma survival rate? Median survival is 12-21 months without treatment and 18-31 months with treatment. The 5-year survival rate is approximately 10-12%. Long-term survivors like Katherine Keys are rare but demonstrate survival is possible with expert care. Why choose a mesothelioma specialist surgeon? With only ~3,000 U.S. cases annually, most surgeons see one or two cases in their careers. Specialists at centers like MD Anderson, Brigham and Women's, or Memorial Sloan Kettering have performed hundreds of procedures. Katherine credits her survival to choosing Dr. David Rice rather than staying with her initial physician. About the Participants Dave Foster — Executive Director of Patient Advocacy at Danziger & De Llano (18 years experience). Author of Beating The Odds: Surviving with Mesothelioma. Katherine Keys — Longest documented pleural mesothelioma survivor (18+ years post-diagnosis and EPP surgery). Anna Jackson — Director of Patient Support at Danziger & De Llano (nearly 15 years experience). Resources Book: Beating The Odds: Surviving with Mesothelioma by Dave Foster Danziger & De Llano: https://dandell.com  • Mesothelioma Lawsuits • Asbestos Trust Funds ($30B+ available) • Veterans & Mesothelioma Episode Series: Understanding Mesothelioma: First Steps After a DiagnosisThe Longest-Known Survivor of Pleural Mesothelioma: Katherine Keys' 18-Year Journey (Part 1)18 Years After Lung Removal: Katherine Keys' Record-Breaking Survival Story (Part 2)They Called Her Family to Say Goodbye: Katherine Keys' Surgery and 18-Year Survival (Part 3) — this episodeSponsor: MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbes MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

    14 min

  3. 12/08/2025

    18 Years After Lung Removal: Katherine Keys' Record-Breaking Mesothelioma Survival Story (Part 2)

    Katherine Keys was given one year to live. Eighteen years later, she's the longest-surviving mesothelioma patient to undergo extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP)—a surgery so aggressive that European studies concluded it wasn't worth performing. In Part 2 of this two-part episode of MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast, host Dave Foster—Executive Director of patient advocacy at Danziger & De Llano with 18 years of experience—continues his conversation with Katherine, an 18-year pleural mesothelioma survivor whose outcome defied every statistic. Together, they cover: How Dr. David Rice performed Katherine's EPP on July 18, 2007, removing her lung and lung lining through an incision requiring rib access—and why she credits his thoroughness for her outcomeThe six-month oxygen dependency that followed surgery—requiring supplemental oxygen 24/7, even in the shower—and the physical therapy needed to relearn basic functions like swallowingWhy Katherine's case was discussed at the International Mesothelioma Interest Group meeting in Philadelphia, where surgeons confirmed no other EPP patient has survived as longThe daily limitations she manages 18 years later, including nerve damage on her right side, breathing difficulties on poor air quality days, and needing to eat slowly to prevent food from going back upHow her pre-surgery fitness level—she was an avid runner who worked out constantly—likely contributed to her eligibility for and recovery from such an invasive procedureThe role of faith and gratitude in her survival: "Every morning I always count my blessings to be still alive"Why she refuses a lung transplant and continues to see Dr. Rice, who calls her a "celebrity" at the clinicHer message to newly diagnosed patients: "It's okay if you have a bad day"—perspective from someone who beat 12-month survival odds by more than 17 yearsWho this episode is for: Patients considering EPP surgery, families weighing aggressive treatment options, long-term survivors navigating life after mesothelioma treatment, and anyone who needs proof that outcomes can exceed the most dire prognoses. The average mesothelioma survival after EPP is 18-31 months. Katherine's 18+ years represents an extraordinary outcome—and her story offers both practical insights about post-surgical recovery and genuine hope for families facing this diagnosis. Resources: Learn about mesothelioma treatment options: https://dandell.com/mesothelioma/Understanding your diagnosis: https://dandell.com/mesothelioma-diagnosis/Compensation for mesothelioma patients: https://dandell.com/mesothelioma-compensation/Meet our patient advocates: https://dandell.com/advocates/MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit https://dandell.com/ MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

    14 min

  4. 12/02/2025

    The Longest-Known Survivor of Pleural Mesothelioma: Katherine Keys’ 18-Year Journey (Part 1)

    The median survival for pleural mesothelioma is 18-31 months with treatment—yet Katherine Keys has survived for 18 years, making her the longest-known survivor of this aggressive asbestos-related cancer. In this first episode of a two-part series on MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast, host Dave Foster—Executive Director of patient advocacy at Danziger & De Llano with 18 years of experience helping mesothelioma families—sits down with Katherine Keys, an 18-year pleural mesothelioma survivor, to discuss her extraordinary journey from initial symptoms through misdiagnosis, surgery, and long-term survivorship. Together, they cover: The early warning signs Katherine experienced—and why her symptoms were initially misdiagnosed before doctors confirmed malignant pleural mesotheliomaWhy she sought out a mesothelioma specialist rather than relying on a general oncologist, and how that decision changed her outcomeThe major lung surgery that removed her cancer—and what recovery and daily life look like 18 years later with one lungThe mindset, family support, and medical team that helped her beat odds that give most patients less than three yearsHer advice for newly diagnosed patients: why acting quickly and finding the right surgeon matters more than anythingWhether you've just received a mesothelioma diagnosis or you're supporting a loved one through treatment decisions, Katherine's story offers proof that outcomes can far exceed expectations with specialized care, early action, and the right team. Part 2 of Katherine's story releases next week. MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com. MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

    15 min

  5. 11/24/2025

    Understanding Mesothelioma: First Steps After a Diagnosis

    Only about 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year—and the average patient sees three doctors before receiving an accurate diagnosis. Knowing what to do in those critical first weeks can change everything. In the very first episode of MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast, host Matthew Bertram sits down with Paul Danziger—founding partner of Danziger & De Llano with over 30 years of mesothelioma litigation experience—and Dave Foster, Executive Director of patient advocacy with 18 years helping mesothelioma families, to cover everything families need to know after a mesothelioma diagnosis. Together, they discuss: Why the 20-50 year latency period between asbestos exposure and diagnosis catches most families completely off guard—and what that means for your legal timelineHow specialized treatment centers like MD Anderson, Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Moffitt Cancer Center approach mesothelioma differently than local oncologistsThe critical steps families should take in the first 30 days—from securing medical records to understanding your options for surgery, chemotherapy, and clinical trialsHow patient advocates help families access over $30 billion in asbestos trust funds, VA benefits, and legal compensation simultaneouslyWhat survivors who have beaten the 12-21 month median survival prognosis did differently—and how early action and specialized care made the differenceThe emotional and practical support available to families in the overwhelming days and weeks following diagnosisWho this episode is for: Families who have just received a mesothelioma diagnosis, those researching options for a loved one, and anyone exposed to asbestos who wants to understand the risks. Whether you're navigating a new diagnosis or supporting someone who is, this episode provides the roadmap for what comes next. You're not alone—and this is where to begin. MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com. MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, a nationwide mesothelioma law firm with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. For a free consultation, visit Dandell.com.

    27 min
  • 5 Episodes

5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast is a supportive, medically informed, and deeply human show dedicated to helping families navigate life after a mesothelioma diagnosis. Hosted by patient advocate, Dave Foster, the podcast brings together the voices of doctors, survivors, caregivers, and leading experts to deliver clarity, guidance, and hope when it’s needed most. Sponsored by Danziger & De Llano, one of the nation’s most experienced mesothelioma law firms, the show offers more than legal insight—it provides practical direction, emotional support, and a roadmap for getting the best medical care as quickly as possible. Whether you or a loved one has just been diagnosed or you're searching for trusted information, MESO breaks down the medical, legal, and personal impact of this rare disease in a way that’s easy to understand and compassionate at every step. Every episode delivers meaningful conversations, survivor stories, expert interviews, and actionable next steps so families can make informed decisions with confidence. If you need answers, support, or guidance—you’re in the right place. For more information, visit Danziger & De Llano at Dandell.com.

Information

  • Creator
    MesotheliomaPodcast.com
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    5
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast
  • Show Website
    MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast