Wally Nielsen

For Wally Nielsen, the diagnosis of mesothelioma is a mystery. “I was a banker and that’s the puzzling part.” he explains. But In August 2010, when Wally was treated for what his doctor thought was pneumonia that didn’t respond to antibiotics, he was referred to a pulmonologist who ordered several scans. The scans revealed a tumor in his lung. A needle biopsy confirmed he had mesothelioma. “I then went to see Dr. Stuart Nagasawa, an oncologist at Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo, who said that there was only person who could help me and that was Dr. Cameron.”

Wally’s wife Arleen calls the diagnosis a life changer. From a retirement filled with travel, children and grandchildren, the Nielsens now work around the disease that has basically turned into a full time job. “Wally was my handyman. I didn’t even have to change a light bulb. Now all of that has changed,” she adds.

At age 75, Wally has no regrets about the surgery Dr. Cameron performed in December 2010, even if he is still a bit sore where a rib was removed in the process. “I’m happy we did it; clearly there are some side effects but it’s better than the alternatives. You’re never perfect,” he says. Besides surgery, Wally also has been on Interferon shots as part of his treatment. “I’m here alive because of Dr. Cameron. I’m treated beautifully here and that’s the bottom line. Dr. Cameron and his staff really care about you as a person.”

Update: Wally Nielsen passed away on August 28th, 2012.