At 32, Jessica’s life was upended by a rare cancer diagnosis. Now, she shares her remarkable journey of survival, hope, and family in the face of peritoneal mesothelioma.
In 2015, Jessica Blackford-Cleeton and her husband Brandon were enjoying the early years of their marriage and looking forward to growing their family.
When Jessica was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma, a rare cancer of the abdominal lining caused by asbestos, their plans seemed out of their control. What followed for the couple was a fight for treatment, legal compensation, survival, and the family that they dreamt of.
“It’s hard to talk about mesothelioma in general, but it’s so important to share our story so other people know that they’re not alone.”
Read more about her struggle for a correct diagnosis and how treatment and legal help made it possible to become a long-term survivor and mother to two children.
Fighting for a Diagnosis Through a Year of Doctor-Ignored Symptoms
Jessica experienced severe stomach pains that had her in and out of doctors’ offices for over a year. Throughout this time, her mesothelioma symptoms were misdiagnosed as less serious conditions. Doctors told her it was anxiety, a stomach bug, or menstrual issues rather than investigating further.
Research shows that up to 14% of mesothelioma cases are misdiagnosed. Women with mesothelioma may face even more delays in getting the proper tests to confirm a diagnosis. In fact, it can take two months longer for women to get a mesothelioma diagnosis than it does for men.
“My symptoms were written off, as it is with a lot of young women who are diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. I’d say every woman that I’ve talked to, especially a young woman who has had peritoneal mesothelioma, was misdiagnosed at first.”
Finally, she got a biopsy that revealed the shocking truth: hundreds of tumors spread throughout her abdomen. Jessica’s care team had never seen anything like this before, so they referred her to specialists at Cleveland Clinic.
Three weeks after her appointment, Jessica got the unexpected news: she had mesothelioma. Shocked by such a rare diagnosis — especially for someone her age, at just 32 — she became determined to learn as much as possible about this cancer and face it head-on.
Read about other mesothelioma patients and their search for an accurate diagnosis in our Free Mesothelioma Survivors Guide.
Learning the Dangers of Asbestos Exposure
As Jessica learned more about her diagnosis, she discovered the primary cause was exposure to asbestos. Before the 1980s, the heat-resistant and durable mineral was a sought-after component of many products used in construction, insulation, and other industries.
However, when these asbestos-containing products are disturbed or worn down, they release asbestos fibers into the air that can be easily inhaled and swallowed.
“You can be exposed to asbestos and not see any symptoms for years. Usually, the latency period for mesothelioma is about 30 years. There is no safe level of exposure. You can be exposed to a lot or a very, very small amount of it and still develop this disease.”
While those working directly with asbestos-containing products faced the greatest danger, family members and others in the community could also be affected through secondhand exposure.
Advocating for Herself During Treatment
After fighting to have her symptoms taken seriously, Jessica knew she would need to keep advocating for herself during mesothelioma treatment. She understood that while her cancer had no cure, there were ways to improve her chances of long-term survival.
Still in the early years of marriage, she and Brandon dreamed of having children someday. So when Jessica discussed treatment with her care team, she let them know she wanted to keep that possibility open.
“I had great doctors who listened to me when I said, ‘I want to preserve that option should I ever have an opportunity to have children in the future.’”
With the support of doctors and her husband by her side, Jessica was able to receive care that honored her hopes for the future.
Does Jessica’s story feel familiar to you or a loved one? Reach out to our Patient Advocates for personalized guidance and support to help you navigate mesothelioma.
Fighting to Hold Asbestos Companies Accountable
Initially, Jessica felt overwhelmed by the idea of taking legal action against asbestos companies for her mesothelioma diagnosis. Balancing a legal battle with treatment seemed daunting. But as her medical and travel expenses grew, she also felt anger toward the companies that hid the dangers of asbestos.
“These companies knew exactly what they were doing, and it was profit over people. It just makes me absolutely sick that they would knowingly put people — families — through the pain and suffering they did. It’s just unimaginable.”
A month before starting treatment, Jessica and her father began looking for a mesothelioma law firm. When she first met the team at Simmons Hanly Conroy, their compassion and dedication reassured her that she was in the right hands.
“The firm worked around me and everything I was going through with treatment,” she explains. “It was an easy process.”
Her lawyers fought hard to secure the financial compensation that helped cover the cost of treatment. Although the money was helpful, Jessica would gladly give up every penny to have her health back.
A Whole Family’s Fight Against Mesothelioma
“Mesothelioma isn’t just a one-person disease,” Jessica recalls when thinking back to the early days of her diagnosis and treatment. She and Brandon were thrust into a new stage of marriage that most couples never experience.
As a new husband, Brandon hadn’t expected to be stepping into a role as caregiver — but his love for Jessica carried them through. Following surgery and chemotherapy, the couple welcomed their first son, Avery, two years after her diagnosis.
“Being a caregiver to somebody with mesothelioma and a dad at the same time is pretty exhausting. But I’m going to do whatever it takes to get my family across the finish line.”
– Brandon Cleeton, husband of mesothelioma survivor Jessica Blackford-Cleeton
Thanks to her treatment, Jessica continued to defy the odds. She and Brandon later welcomed their second son, Elliot. Although they don’t know what it’s like to be parents without mesothelioma in their lives, they are determined to keep fighting for their family.
Celebrating Survival and a New Normal
Today, Jessica has lived over 9 years with mesothelioma — a milestone that once felt uncertain. Life may look different than she imagined, but she and her family have embraced their “new normal.” Even on the harder days, they cherish the time they have together.
“To be able to share my story — my goal is to give somebody a little bit of hope.”
Jessica also finds joy in the simple things: enjoying fresh espresso, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. “It’s never fun spending time alone,” she says, and with her loving family by her side, she never truly is.
Don’t Fight Mesothelioma Alone: We’re Here to Support You
Jessica’s story shows just how much a mesothelioma diagnosis can change the course of someone’s life. However, with the help of her support system, she was able to complete treatment, have two beautiful sons, and celebrate over 9 years of survival.
If you or someone you love is battling this rare cancer, you don’t have to do it alone.
Our team of Patient Advocates is here to help connect you to:
- Top mesothelioma specialists
- Experienced asbestos attorneys
- Support groups and peer mentors
We’ve helped thousands of families get the care they need, and we’re ready to help you, too. Call us at (866) 608-8933 or download our Free Survivors Guide to learn more about finding support after a mesothelioma diagnosis.
