Dennie Edwards

Dennie Edwards -2008   Elyria, OH

         In April of 2004, I had a very bad cold, so my doctor performed a chest x-ray to check for pneumonia.  I've never smoked, so you can imagine how shocked I was that he found a 4.5 centimeter mass in my left lung.

     Even though I've been a real estate agent for 31 years, I had never bothered to test my house for radon. I always informed my clients that radon testing prior to purchase was an option (to protect my liability), but truthfully, I really didn't care if they tested or not.

     Now I had to wonder whether my lung cancer had been caused by radon exposure.  While the doctor scheduled my surgery, I scheduled a radon test. The result was 10 pCi/l, (two and a half times the EPA's recommended Action Level).  I had lived in the home for 12 years. Needless to say, I called a contractor to have a mitigation system installed.

     Two days later I had surgery. I thought I was surely going to die. When I woke up choking with tubes in my throat, panic set in. They had removed my entire left lung.

     I'm getting better. I can walk up to a mile. But, I can no longer dance, lift things, or exert myself. My clients now get a very personal testimonial about the importance of testing for radon.

     I enjoy playing the guitar and cooking for my two sisters.

(Dennie passed away June 18, 2008)

Barb Sorgatz

Barbara Sorgatz   Glen Ellyn, IL

      I have lived in my home in Glen Ellyn, IL, a western suburb of Chicago, for 23 years.   I was recently diagnosed with Stage 1B lung cancer and had the upper lobe of my left lung removed this past February (2007).  Thank God the cancer was caught early, but only by accident on a CT scan when I went to the emergency room last June for a gall bladder attack.   The doctors have told me over and over how lucky I was to have had that attack.  Otherwise, by the time I would have developed any symptoms, the cancer would have advanced to Stage IV and it would have been too late for treatment.  

      Having never smoked nor been exposed to a significant amount of second hand smoke, I was puzzled as to how I developed lung cancer with no family history of it.  Upon doing some research on the internet, I discovered that radon is estimated to be the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. today, and a leading cause of lung cancer in healthy people who have never smoked.   

      Certain areas of DuPage County, where I live, are known for high levels of radon. My subdivision, Valley View, is one of those areas.   I knew there was radon in the Valley, but was not aware of the long term effects of it.  I purchased a home test kit (short term), conducted the test, and sent it to the lab.           The results revealed that the radon levels in my home were 5 times the recommended EPA levels.  I subsequently hired a licensed contractor to install a radon mitigation system that lowered the radon levels in my house to well below the EPA 4.0 pCi/L Action Level.

Angela M. Riley

Angela M. Riley   Slippery Rock, PA

        I am a recently divorced mother of  two girls, eight year-old Melissa and five year-old  Julia. I am also a former nurse, so I know the importance of taking care of one's health.  I never smoked or worked around smoke.

     I first went to see my doctor in late May of 2003 because I was wheezing. He left message on my answering machine on a Friday that something was wrong, but I had to wait until  Monday to find out they had found a small tumor in my lung. I had surgery in July to remove a quarter of my lung.  I am very fortunate they caught it in time.

     Not knowing how in the world I could have developed lung cancer, I tested my house for radon and discovered my girls and I had been living in a very high concentration of 55 pCi/l. I also discovered my neighbor, who died of lung cancer in late 2002, had been living in over 70 pCi/l!

     I'm getting stronger and I love to walk and play with my children

Joe Linnertz

Joe Linnertz   Waterloo, IL

    On Nov. 2, 2005, my husband, Joe had a blood test that showed his liver enzymes where elevated.  After more tests on Dec 27, we found that he had lung cancer that had spread to his liver and bones. We asked the doctor what causes lung cancer and he said smoking and radon gas.  We didn’t know what radon was and Joe hadn’t smoked for 27 years.  Joe died on February 8, 2006

     I checked the Internet and saw I could buy a radon test kit at the hardware store.  Our home tested 11.2  pCi/L, and we have lived in this house for 18 years.  The house has now been mitigated and tests at 1.1 pCi/L.

      If we had just known about this silent killer and if someone had told us of its deadly power and how easy it is to test and mitigate, we would have done it.  Only a test can determine if you are living in a high level radon environment, and-often-only a test can determine if you are living with early stage cancer.

     Joe was a gentle, brave, faithful and courageous man and decided he didn’t want the chemotherapy and would let God take him when He was ready.  Joe was my light and my strength.

     About 2 or 3 weeks after Joe died, I prayed to God to give me a purpose for my life.  I got my answer very quickly.  I will dedicate the rest of my life to radon reform and education.

...Gloria Linnertz

Liz Hoffmann

Elizabeth Hoffmann    Milwaukee, WI

     I was diagnosed with lung cancer, Stage IIIA in September, 2003 at age 37. I never smoked, nor was there any family history of lung cancer. Our home, of 15+ years tested at 8.6 pico-Curies per liter for radon. I underwent surgery to remove the mass and lower left lobe followed by chemotherapy and radiation. Treatments were completed March of 2004.  I underwent regular blood and CT Scans every three months to monitor possible reoccurrence

     Round 2:

     But, the cancer returned during the summer of 2006 in the form of fluid in my chest. I was getting out of breath easily and went to see my doctor. A chest X-ray showed fluid in my left chest cavity. I had over four liters of fluid and needed to stay in the hospital a few days over Labor Day weekend to drain the fluid. At that time I was told that I had “weeks or months to live.” A pleurex catheter was placed in my left side so I could be drained at home. I was told that it is rare that a pleurex catheter is ever removed. I also underwent another round of chemo. Miracles continue when the fluid level stabilized and the catheter was able to be removed in March of 2007. I returned to work full-time at the end of 2006.

     Round 3:

     In August 2008 the cancer returned a third time; 11 masses/nodules in both lungs and it metatisized to my brain (one mass). I underwent Cyberknife (pinpoint brain radiation) and began taking the daily chemo pill Tarceva. Both treatments have shown positive results. I remain positive, but also realistic. I continue to enjoy time with my husband, family and friends. I pray that miracles continue to help me beat the odds.

     I will do everything I can to help spread the importance of radon testing so no one else will hear the words, “you have cancer” (due to radon exposure). 

     Enjoy life. Appreciate every day. Never take anyone or anything for granted. “Grant me the Serenity to accept the things I can not change, Courage to change the things I can and Wisdom to know the difference.”

Monica Pryor

Monica Pryor -2008    Taylor, SC

      I am a 37-year old wife, mother of three children, Meghan, 8; Jason, 6; and my baby, Joshua, 17 months, and I am a believer.  I have been diagnosed with incurable, Stage IV, adema carcinoma--lung cancer.

      My surgeon said that the cancer either came from smoking, asbestos, chemicals, or radon.  Since the first two are not possible, most likely it is radon-induced lung cancer.  Our indoor radon measured at 7.2 pCi/L, so our “family” at North Hills Church enabled us to get the house mitigated. The level is now 0.7 pCi/L. 

      The local TV station, WYFF 4 in Greenville, SC, interviewed me and many people responded by calling to get a free test kit to check their home. I so want to get the message out about how dangerous radon is.

     This strange journey began with four months of having severe headaches and pneumonia-like symptoms, and finally a visit to the doctor. After many tests, my doctor discovered that my right lung was blanketed with tumors called adema-carcinoma—lung cancer.  I started chemotherapy almost immediately.  Nausea, headaches, mouth sores and infections gave way to a little pity party for myself, but God gave me the strength to face my tomorrows and my fears.

     I have been on the most intensive medication and chemotherapy regime possible. I am finding that this struggle is as much an emotional and mental fight as it is a physical one; however, the physical suffering is terrible. The cancer has spread to my liver and bones through my lymph system.  There is much pain and many problems I work through on a daily basis to be able to “live.”

     I try to have lots of snuggle time with my children. It is such a treat to just sit and watch them, hear them laugh and hold and pray with them.   One of my prayer warriors told me “God is still a God of miracles.”  I am in good physical condition even though not much energy. I go to church every Sunday, out with my girlfriends a few times a week and have a date night once a week with my husband.

      My pastor said one Sunday morning, “This storm was designed for me” which struck a cord with me.  This is not a random or accidental case of cancer.  It never ceases to amaze me that God knows the right person to put in your path at the right time.  God is not finished with me yet.  I am confident that educating others about radon is one of my missions.

      Ravi Zacharias asks, “Are our lives just random and meaningless strands of thread, or could they possibly be precise designs woven with remarkable care, thought, and intent?” On my special journey there have been many threads woven into my life by the Grand Weaver.

(Monica passed away October 27, 2008)

Bob MacEwan

Bob MacEwan -2004   Lake Oswego, OR

     I want people in Lake Oswego to know radon exposure can cause lung cancer; radon can kill.   It took my husband’s life, Bob, in 2004. That is why I am serving as a spokesperson for Radon Awareness Month in January in the Lake Oswego area.  People in Lake Oswego need to be aware of radon. If it can happen to us, it can happen to anybody.

     Bob thought he had burst a blood vessel in his neck, but an X-ray showed a major tumor in his lung. This was a shock because Bob was only 49 and a non-smoker; so he did an Internet search to find radon exposure to be a plausible cause. When we called the EPA for more info, we were told that our area didn’t have any radon. We decided to test anyway.

     The results were an incredibly high level of 55.2 pCi/L.  A follow-up test was 56.2 pCi/L.  The worst news was that the discovery was too late to help Bob.

When diagnosed, Bob was already in the late stages. He died in November in 2004.  I had a mitigation system installed, which reduced the radon level to a safer level of 2.1 to minimize the risk to me, my children and grandchildren.

     I became a spokesperson for Radon Awareness Month just a year after Bob’s death. The first people I told radon were my neighbors, and I was greatly surprised to discover some people just didn’t want to know about it. The cost for a test is minimal and is a small price for peace of mind. I am working to spread the word about radon in Lake Oswego whenever and wherever possible.

   Chest X-rays should be part of any physical. Radon testing should be part of any home inspection. Many real estate agents treat radon as if it doesn’t even exist.  If I were an agent, I would say, “Let’s do the radon test.  Let’s get it done”.  I would like public awareness increased about radon and not swept under a rug.

 ...Marlene MacEwan

Julia Harris

Video message from radon victim Julia Harris

Julia Harris -2004   Winterville, GA

     Julia was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in September of 2003.  She had never smoked a cigarette in her life, but she found out too late she and her husband Jack had been living in elevated radon concentrations for nearly 19 years.

     In March of 2004, lung cancer took her life. It didn’t have to.  If testing her home for radon were required for a mortgage, chances are Julia would still be with us.

     A wife, a mother and a grandmother she is sorely missed.  Says Jack, her husband of 43 years, “Who’s going to be there when I wake up every morning? The reality is it’s something you gotta live with.  You can’t make it go away because you wish it to.”

     Every year 20,000-30,000 Americans die from exposure to radon. Says oncologist Doctor Lane Price, “Thirty thousand deaths is a drop in the bucket unless your loved one is one of those thirty thousand.  Then it’s your whole bucket.”

     On behalf of Julia and the 59 other Americans who die each day from radon-induced lung cancer, CSAR asks for your leadership with the battle against this silent, invisible killer.

Ann Cosper

Ann Cosper   Huntsville, AL

     I’ve never smoked a cigarette, can’t stand to be around them. So, a friend told me a lot of times, when people lose a lung, it’s because they’ve been exposed to radon.  That’s why I decided to have my house checked. It tested at 11.7 pCi/l.

     The only thing they could attribute to causing my lung cancer is the fact I had radon in my home – and didn’t know it.  When I learned that radon likely brought this on I was petrified.  I felt so helpless.

     There is no way I can stress enough to the public how important it is to have your radon checked. Then you will not have to go through what I’ve had to go through – losing a lung to radon.

Sue Michael

Sue Michael -2005  New Castle, PA

     I was at greater risk for radon exposure because I was a stay at home mom for 25 years. My husband Bob and I didn’t want latch key kids, we wanted me there when the kids came home, to greet them and to say hello, how was your day? We discovered after it was too late, we’d been living in a radon concentration of 6.8 pCi/l. We’ve never smoked.

    When I went to the oncologist (in May 2003), I knew that it was in the lungs, the liver and some of the lymph nodes. And then I found out it was also in the bones in three different places. When the doctor told us it was 8-10 months, my oldest daughter said at least I’d be here for Christmas.

     Says Bob, ‘When you’ve been with a woman for 38 years, its tough. To all of a sudden to find out she’s got something that can take her away from you…it’s difficult.

(Sue passed away in September 2005).

Bob Adams

Bob Adams   Huntsville, AL

     My house has a full finished basement that tested three to four times higher than the EPA’s Radon Action Level.  Since we had such a high reading and I’ve lived here such a long time, it was reasonable to suspect that radon was the cause of my lung cancer because I hadn’t smoked a cigarette in over 50 years.  Fortunately for me they caught it in time making surgery an option.

Jill Johnson

Jill Johnson   Freeport, IL

     You could have knocked me over with a feather when I found out I had non-small cell lung cancer in December of 2008.  The irony of my diagnosis was stunning.  You see, up to that point in my life, I was immersed in the world of ballet and modern dance.  I graduated from Julliard in 1977, performed professionally for many years, and began teaching in 1983.  In 2002, at the age of 48, I received my masters degree in dance from the University of Illinois, and a year later became a certified Palates instructor.  Everything I did required strength, agility, stamina and good health.  I had them all.

     In July of 2008, however, I started slowing down a little.  My energy level wasn't what it used to be and I had developed a dry cough I couldn't seem to shake, even with antibiotics.  Foolishly, I ignored my symptoms.  A few months later, I called the local Health Department thinking my cough was due to allergies I had developed, perhaps, because of mold in my circa 1932 house, and would they do an inspection.  It was during that conversation that I first learned about radon gas and its dangers.

     I had the house mitigated after discovering a 19.0 radon level. Three weeks later, to my dismay, the level had gone up to 19.3.  In late February, however, it was down to 7.9, and now after coming back a third time, the mitigator says it should be under control.  To his credit he has worked hard and has been extremely cooperative.  

     During surgery in January to remove my lower right lobe, where we thought the cancer was contained, my surgeon discovered the cancer had spread to my middle and upper lobes, and to 7 lymph nodes in the mediastinal and hilar regions of my chest. What had started out as Stage IB before the surgery was now Stage IV.  What a blow!  At that point, the thoracic surgeon and my oncologist thought it best to close me up and hit me with chemo as soon as I was well enough.  I have now had two treatments and it seems like the chemo is helping.  According to my oncologist, radiation is next.  Whew!  Unfortunately, my prognosis is not good.

     Since my diagnosis, I have discovered that most people I talk with about radon gas know little or nothing about it; and those who are aware of its dangers (including my doctors) underplay it as a possible cause for lung cancer.  For that reason, I am grateful to Gloria Linnertz and others like her who are telling their stories on the CanSar website, as well as promoting new legislation at both the state and national levels to protect people from this harmful and deadly gas.  To all of them I offer my heartfelt thanks.