Every year, peritoneal mesothelioma survivor Trina West-Clark takes a trip to the casino to have a few cocktails with friends and celebrate another year of living cancer-free.

To celebrate 16 years of mesothelioma remission, she will travel to Canada and meet fellow peritoneal mesothelioma survivor Raeleen Minchuk and Cheryl Ewoldt, who lost her husband, Barry, to the aggressive cancer.

Weve never met before, but we decided to meet up there and celebrate together, West-Clark told Asbestos.com. Im so excited to do that.

West-Clark and Minchuk were diagnosed on the same day, but 13 years apart. Minchuk found solace in West-Clarks survivor story and plans to commemorate her own three-year survival mark with her inspiration.

They are still ironing out details of the trip, but West-Clark hopes to plan it around their shared cancer anniversary on September 11.

Were throwing around dates, but Im trying to talk Raeleen into doing the 9th to the 12th so I can be with her on the 11th, she said.

Its been more than a year since West-Clarks last CT scan. She periodically experiences some pain and stomach issues but says life is good.

I cant believe its been 16 years. I honestly cant, she said. Im just loving life. No complaints whatsoever.

And as fun as having cocktails with friends at a casino can be, West-Clark knows her 16th anniversary will be special because it will be spent with others affected by peritoneal mesothelioma a rare cancer diagnosed in approximately 500 people in the U.S. each year.

They are the only people that can actually relate to where you have been, she said. Its pretty emotional Im not going to lie because [Minchuk] looks up to me so much. Its very emotional to know that Im finally going to meet her.

West-Clark admitted it will be tough meeting Ewoldt, the third member of the trip.

Peritoneal mesothelioma took the life of Ewoldts husband at age 55. Cheryl was his caregiver until he entered hospice care.

I have the upmost respect for any caregiver, West-Clark said. My caregiver saved my life.

West-Clarks caregiver was Victor Elia. They dated for 18 years and have two children together.

He is the one that actually pushed me through it all, she said. When I was standing in the shower and started losing all my hair, he was the one that picked it up off the shower floor and said, Its okay. He told me I was sexy, and I told him Youre crazy. You have to have a caregiver thats actually going to push you to survive in a situation such as that. Otherwise, youre just going to lie there and die.

Trina West-Clark with former caregiver Victor Elia.

Recently, West-Clark has seen several friends lose their battle with mesothelioma. Too often, survivors give up hope.

The role of a caregiver can be overwhelming, but its essential to a patients quality of life. Caregivers with a personal connection to patients can be even more overwhelming, but, like Elia, these people can make an invaluable difference in a mesothelioma survivors cancer journey.

I thank him every single time I talk to him and see him, West-Clark said. I actually think he had a lot to do with all of it.

Those around West-Clark tell her she is the strongest person theyve ever met. No matter what happens, she finds a way to bring up others.

You will work your way through what you have to deal with and get that next person where you are. Thats what they say to me that I am so strong, she said. What I say to that is that Im as strong as cement, but some days, that cement is about to crumble.

However, she always seems to find a way to push through and put the needs of others ahead of her own.

My son tells me theres a purpose that was left for me that has allowed me to survive as long as I have, and that purpose is to be the caregiver and take care of everyone else, she said.

She saved a friend who suffered a heart attack in front of her and cared for him during his recovery. She later nursed another friend back to health after he underwent open-heart surgery.

In December, West-Clark found out her sister needed a heart transplant. She dropped everything and went to Florida to care for her.

West-Clark recently looked after two grandkids as her daughter recovered from surgery.

Trina West-Clark enjoys spending time with her three grandchildren.

Taking care of loved ones helps keep her mind off her own struggles. She still thinks of herself as a cancer survivor and occasionally fears a recurrence, but not as much as she used to.

In the first five years, youre so fearful, she said. After that, you have to stay positive. You have to tell yourself that youre not going to go backwards after the good Lord let you go this far. I want to go forward. Life is good.

Its a message she hopes instills in Minchuk, who is still in the early stages of fearing the unknown.

West-Clark lives by the philosophy of body in motion. She still tours the country in her fiances 18-wheeler during the winter months.

Summers are spent in Gladwin, Michigan, on Secord Lake. She bought a new pontoon boat and spends as much time on the water with family and friends.

Trina West-Clark (back, left) with family and friends aboard her pontoon boat.

She recently celebrated her third grandchild her sons first child. West-Clarks daughter lives nearby and serves as her support system when she needs a helping hand or a listening ear.

When shes not helping others, West-Clark is likely on the lake, building jigsaw puzzles or landscaping her yard.

Life has become all about my grandkids, she said. Traveling and family is my thing. I dont dwell on [the cancer], I just live every moment.

More here:

Mesothelioma Survivors Unite to Celebrate Remission - Asbestos.com (blog)