69-year-old James Rhio O’Connor passed away this month from Mesothelioma cancer. Surprisingly James was diagnosed in 2001 and his doctor told him that both surgery and chemo therapy were not options as he was too far along and they would do more harm than good.

James took the doctors advice and decided to take his wife, Arlene, on a cruise and then return home and go into hospice care. However, James didn’t need the care, rather he lived another seven years enjoying himself every day until the end.

Cancer Monthly published James’ book “They Said Months. I Chose Years! A Mesothelioma Survivor’s Story.” In the book James acknowledged that there is no right or wrong treatment for anyone when it comes to Mesothelioma. He talked about how patients should listen to their bodies and not second guess themselves.

He writes, “How important is self-sufficiency in surviving mesothelioma or any other cancer? I think it is vital. You have to possess the faith and confidence to make the right treatment decisions. Many patients spend hours, days or weeks second-guessing themselves about what they would have or could have or should have done. This is very unproductive… I believe that discipline has helped me survive my diagnosis. In fact, I probably wouldn’t be here without it. Discipline or self-discipline provides the stamina to persevere. It bestows the ability to withstand hardships and difficulties, whether physical, emotional or mental. It grants the ability to reject immediate satisfaction for something better. Turning away from conventional therapies and embarking on my own path to treat my disease took discipline and courage. I don’t want to give the wrong impression. Of course I had doubts and second thoughts. But once I made my decision as to my treatment course of choice, I challenged myself to maintain focus and discipline in order to see it through.”

James spent his last years mentoring other individuals with Mesothelioma – touching the lives of many with hope, corage and inspiration.