For over a decade, Mary Jane battled cancer and supported other patients through their treatment journey, refusing to let mesothelioma define her story.
In 2003, Mary Jane Williams — an Ohio wife, mother, and grandmother — was diagnosed with mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer caused by asbestos.
While the diagnosis was life-changing, she felt relieved to finally have an explanation for her symptoms and decided that this cancer would not beat her.
Mary Jane lived a full life with mesothelioma until complications from progressive Alzheimer’s disease took her life in 2018. Today, we keep her mesothelioma survivor story forever in our memory.
Missed Signs, Misdiagnosis, and a Turning Point
Mary Jane spent a year struggling to pinpoint the reason behind her abdominal bloating, weight loss, and other disruptive symptoms. Seeking answers, she visited several doctors only to leave each appointment without clarity.
“I kept thinking people are going to think that I’m a hypochondriac, but it got to the point where I couldn’t stand up straight. It was as if my insides were glued.”
She was misdiagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and prescribed medication, but her symptoms didn’t improve. When doctors decided to look at her gallbladder, they told her that it wasn’t functioning normally and would need to be removed.
During gallbladder surgery, doctors discovered she had peritoneal mesothelioma, which develops in the abdominal lining and can spread to other parts of the digestive system.
When Mary Jane’s doctors told her mesothelioma was caused by asbestos, she couldn’t remember where she was exposed.
“It could have been anywhere,” she said, recalling her husband Loring’s work at a flooring company that used asbestos tiles and the home renovations they tackled as a couple.
Get our Free Survivors Guide to learn how other mesothelioma patients uncovered the source of their asbestos exposure and fought for a correct diagnosis.
Finding the Right Specialist
After her diagnosis, Mary Jane was overwhelmed by the grim news about mesothelioma, including an average life expectancy of just 8 months. To make matters worse, the first doctor she saw told her she didn’t qualify for treatment.
But Mary Jane refused to give up. She started searching for experienced mesothelioma specialists who could help her fight the disease.
“If your doctor is not a professional and has not lived it and breathed it, get another oncologist. You need someone experienced — someone who’s going to fight for you and with you.”
Mary Jane and Loring traveled extensively to meet with different doctors, eventually finding a mesothelioma specialist in New York. After one visit, she felt a weight had lifted when she found the right fit.
We can connect you or a loved one with top mesothelioma specialists — use our Free Doctor Match now to get started.
Embracing a Life Free From Cancer
Mary Jane’s mesothelioma treatment plan included surgery and chemotherapy. Her journey began with her first surgery in September 2003, followed by five months of chemotherapy.
In total, Mary Jane and Loring made 43 trips between Ohio and New York. Despite fatigue, pain, and other side effects, Mary Jane stayed determined, holding on to the hope that her treatments were working.
“You’ve got to keep a positive attitude. You go through a whole lot of emotions. One day, you’re very up, and one day, you’re down. And you’re allowed to have your down days because that’s just normal.”
In February 2004, she went in for her second surgery, and the surgeons found no evidence of tumors in her abdomen. Each tissue sample they took during surgery showed no presence of cancer cells.
Mary Jane was officially declared in remission, meaning the signs and symptoms of her cancer were gone. Being cancer-free was a milestone that brought her immense joy after months of perseverance.
The Healing Power of Mentorship
After beating mesothelioma, Mary Jane felt called to a new purpose — acting as a peer mentor.
She became a familiar face in her oncologist’s office long after her treatment had ended and developed close friendships with other mesothelioma survivors.
She sat alongside those recovering from treatments like surgery and chemotherapy. Recalling her own treatment struggles, she supported patients through their ups and downs while also encouraging them to keep going.
“I did it. You can do it, too,” she told them. For those battling mesothelioma, she also explained the benefits of seeking legal help and pursuing financial compensation so they could afford the treatments they needed. “You’re going to need the money for your treatment, your travel, and your follow-up scans for the rest of your life.”
Initially, Mary Jane didn’t want to seek help from a mesothelioma lawyer, and she understood why others were hesitant. However, once she faced the costs of treatment and travel expenses, the decision was easy.
Learn how legal compensation helped Mary Jane and other survivors in our Free Mesothelioma Survivors Guide.
Mary Jane Williams: Forever in Our Memories
By 2013, Mary Jane was 65 and had been cancer-free for nearly 10 years. But then she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, a progressive disease that affects memory and other mental functions.
She continued to spend as much time as possible with her beloved husband, children, and grandchildren, telling them that she would always be proud of them, even if one day she couldn’t remember them.
In 2018, Mary Jane passed away from Alzheimer’s complications, but her memory continues to live on through her family, friends, and all those she touched with her powerful story of survival.
Discover How Others Overcame Mesothelioma
If you or a loved one is battling mesothelioma, many survivors will tell you that the most important thing to do is remain positive and hopeful. However, this may seem difficult when navigating treatments, side effects, and other challenges.
For this reason, Mesothelioma Hope is dedicated to walking alongside you in your journey, like Mary Jane did for so many others.
Call our Patient Advocates at (866) 608-8933 to get connected with top doctors or read more stories of hope in our Free Mesothelioma Survivors Guide.
