Naseem Farag

When Naseem’s brother beckoned him to come to the United States in 1981 from Egypt, he jumped at the chance. Naseem, who had been a chemical engineer and had served in the army in his homeland, started his new life working in his brother’s gas station as a mechanic. “It was a new beginning for me, an opportunity,” he explains; one that eventually led him to owning a successful gas station in Ontario and several other businesses.

By June 2008, Naseem had lost a lot of weight and his overall health was in decline. This was very difficult for a robust man who was used to working 18-hour days. His declining health forced him sell his gas station and businesses to concentrate on getting better. Soon, as is typical in many mesothelioma patients, he had difficulty breathing and was coughing. His doctor said he had “walking pneumonia” and put him on antibiotics. When that didn’t work, he went to an urgent care clinic where an x-ray showed that his right lung was cloudy. He was admitted to the hospital and his lung drained of more than three and a half liters of fluid. The doctors told him he had a virus and more fluid was drained from his lung.

A biopsy finally diagnosed mesothelioma. He was prescribed chemotherapy and “the doctor gave me nine months to live.” A friend from Naseem’s church recommended Dr. Cameron as did the surgeon he consulted at St. Joseph Hospital in Orange. “We made an appointment before we even left St. Joseph,” adds Naseem’s wife, Sanna.

In January 2010, Dr. Cameron operated on Naseem. “Dr. Cameron is a wonderful guy. He knows what to do. He’s a lifesaver, he extends your life,” Naseem says. “The road is long and what gets you through the hard times is the support of family and friends,” he adds. “Our life is in God’s hands. We take it day by day. Meeting others Dr. Cameron has helped gives you hope. Telling our story helps our emotions. We believe in Dr. Cameron.”