At the conclusion of a busy 2019 fire season Ernie started to develop fluid in his lungs which caused chest pain and limited his ability to breath normally. He sought local medical advice and found short term relief from his symptoms having fluid drained over the winter months. After 3 sessions to remove fluid, symptoms did not resolve and further testing in 2020 found scar tissue on and around his left lung. Still not knowing the systemic cause of this scar tissue and in an effort to relieve pain and increase respiratory volume Ernie had surgery in the fall of 2020 to remove as much of the scar tissue as possible. A biopsy of the scar tissue taken during the surgery led to an eventual diagnosis of Mesothelioma in late October 2020. Mesothelioma, a malignant form cancer which has connections to inhaled asbestos fibers forming in the lining of the lungs, abdomen or heart was initially evaluated as Stage 3 cancer and effected Ernie’s lungs. Ernie sought out an oncologist who had specialized experience in Mesothelioma and relocated to San Diego, CA to be close to family and start treatment at the University of California- San Diego Moore Cancer Center.
