English professor by day and professional musician by night, John Panza, co-founder of the Panza Foundation, shares the defining moments of his 13+ years as a mesothelioma survivor.
John Panza knew he was up against a formidable opponent when he was diagnosed with stage 3 pleural mesothelioma. But even in the face of such a serious illness, he refused to surrender.
The Ohio native was only 38 years old at the time — a very young age to be diagnosed with this asbestos-related cancer — but he knew he was ready to fight.
“You might not win the war, but you must fight like you can,” John shares. “You might even surprise yourself with how strong you are. I’ve been fighting nonstop for more than a decade.”
Read more about John’s journey as a mesothelioma survivor and how music played an important part in his story.
How Secondary Asbestos Exposure Changed John’s Life
In the spring of 2012, John started having flu-like symptoms that wouldn’t go away. An X-ray showed fluid around his right lung (pleural effusion), and doctors began running tests to find out what was wrong.
Over three months, he had two procedures to remove the fluid. Eventually, doctors confirmed John’s mesothelioma diagnosis through video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).
He eventually learned that he had developed mesothelioma from secondary asbestos exposure. John’s father worked with asbestos brake pads every day and brought the fibers home on his clothing, which was then washed with the rest of the family’s clothes.
“My dad more or less drove around the plant all day picking up asbestos fibers, and that’s what he did every day, 5 days a week, for over 20 years,” John recalls.
Get our Free Survivors Guide to learn how other patients got diagnosed with mesothelioma, navigated their treatment journey, and found ways to live a fulfilling life after their diagnosis.
Fighting an Aggressive Cancer With Aggressive Treatment
Since hearing the life-changing words “you have cancer” and “it’s mesothelioma” more than a decade ago, John has undergone a series of surgeries and other treatments.
From the beginning, John approached his battle with cancer like a war — one he wasn’t certain he could win but was determined to fight.
“Being stubborn and refusing to quit seems to play a role in our quality of life, and every long-term mesothelioma patient I know is noticeably stubborn.”
It hasn’t always been smooth sailing. When John developed a chest infection after extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) surgery, he spent a month in the hospital. The cancer eventually spread to his lymph nodes, which had to be surgically removed, and he’s received targeted radiation therapy to keep it from coming back.
Despite these setbacks, John has found ways to live a vibrant life filled with the things he loves most.
“I remain in awe of what the human body can endure and still feel ‘normal.’ My body might look like I was stabbed, shot, or lost a fight with a bull, but I keep going,” John says. “And I continue to enjoy travel, music, teaching, and writing.”
The Beat of His Own Drum
Even though pleural mesothelioma has an average life expectancy of 18 months, John continues to make memories with his wife and daughter.
He’s been a college professor for nearly 30 years, teaching courses in literature and the humanities. Also an accomplished musician, John plays the drums in three popular Cleveland indie-rock bands.
Having only one lung, a slightly curved spine, and a missing rib didn’t stop John from learning how to play cricket a few years ago. He even took up Pilates as an alternative treatment, which he describes as “a game changer.”
“Have you ever seen a three-legged dog running with the other dogs like that phantom limb is still intact?” John jokes. “That’s me every single day.”
He encourages others diagnosed with mesothelioma to find activities that bring them joy and purpose, whether it’s enrolling in classes at their local cancer center or pursuing creative hobbies at home.
“Playing music is a form of expression that translates into symptom relief for me. Whether I am playing it or hearing it, music moves me in a unique way.”
Finding Shared Strength in His Family
John’s reaction to his mesothelioma diagnosis was partially influenced by a family history of cancer.
When John was just 20 years old, his 52-year-old father died from small-cell lung cancer only 10 months after being diagnosed.
“He never had a chance,” John recalls of his late father. “Compared to him, I have been enormously lucky.”
Since the roles of educator and drummer have provided John with years of experience in front of crowds, he has a sense of ease about pulling the curtain back to reveal a glimpse into his personal life.
“I continue to be in awe of my wife and daughter’s resilience in the face of my illness,” John says. “The two of them make me so happy every single day. Being with them all of these years in a physical condition that is semi-normal is pretty cool — and very unexpected.”
The Difference a Specialist Makes
If allowed to travel back in time, John says he would have made the same decisions he did in 2012 — particularly to remain aggressive and trust his mesothelioma care team.
He offers similar advice for the newly diagnosed: Find a mesothelioma specialist and start treatment as soon as you can.
“Every day you wait or waste is one less day you can fight this disease.”
While he acknowledges the role of alternative therapies for symptom relief, John is a staunch advocate for curative treatments to keep the cancer under control.
Other survivors have shared how important a mesothelioma specialist was in their treatment journey. Read their stories in our Free Survivors Guide.
Giving Back
John and his wife launched the nonprofit organization Panza Foundation to help local bands purchase equipment, reserve studio time, and access resources to share their music with the community. The foundation celebrated its 10th anniversary in November 2024 and has donated over $90,000 to date.
John also enjoys connecting with other patients through Facebook support groups led by the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation.
“They have a wonderfully supportive discussion forum with patients new and old, inexperienced and grizzled like me, and even some medical practitioners,” John shares.
Over the years, John has seen firsthand how these connections can inspire and support patients as they find their way through the challenges of mesothelioma.
“I hope our mesothelioma community helps these individuals find their way the same way that happened for me early on. We aren’t a large community, but we are pretty mighty.”
Get Help Becoming a Mesothelioma Survivor
John and other mesothelioma survivors have stressed the importance of having a support system in the wake of a cancer diagnosis.
If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, we’re here to walk this path with you.
Mesothelioma Hope’s caring team of Patient Advocates can help you access personalized medical, financial, and supportive care at every stage of your journey.
Call us at (866) 608-8933 now or request our Free Survivors Guide to get started.
