Every year, an estimated 2,000 – 3,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with aggressive, asbestos-related cancer. Anyone diagnosed with the disease must face the unknown and fight one of their toughest battles.
One day each year, people around the world gather to commemorate the lives of mesothelioma victims, caregivers, and those taken from us much too soon.
Today, September 26, 2016, is National Mesothelioma Awareness Day.
The Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation started National Mesothelioma Awareness Day in 2004, to bring nationwide awareness of the issues facing mesothelioma patients and their families. This year marks the 12th year of this nationally known day.
When someone is diagnosed with mesothelioma, a loved one often steps up to take on the new role of caregiver. Today we share with you a story from one such caregiver. This is an inspirational personal account of her husband’s courageous battle with mesothelioma. This is her story, in her own words.
Lorraine Kember, author of “Lean on Me – Cancer through a Carer’s Eyes”, shared her experience.
Asbestos Killed My Husband
He was only a child when it began
And he played as children do
In his yard with his toy cars and tip trucks
But his sand was asbestos blue…
In December 1999, my husband and I were walking home from a game of lawn bowls when I became aware of his shortness of breath. I was surprised and concerned when he told me that he had experienced this on several occasions. Believing this to be due to a chest infection, I made a doctor’s appointment for him the next day.
Chest X-rays revealed fluid on the lungs, over two liters of which was drained, giving Brian immediate relief, but it was a tense wait for the pathology results. Through the Internet I had become aware of several conditions that may have been responsible for fluid on the lung; these included asbestos-related diseases. Brian had lived in Wittenoom as a child and I was afraid of his diagnosis. Not wanting to worry him unnecessarily, I did not mention my fears to him. I prayed that he had pleurisy or pneumonia but the pathology results revealed that there were cancer cells present.
When Brian finally received his diagnosis, my worst nightmare became a reality. He had pleural mesothelioma, a terminal cancer of the lung caused by the inhalation of asbestos dust. We found it inconceivable that the disease was the result of Brian inhaling asbestos dust as a child and that it had lain dormant for forty-five years before become lethal.
We were still reeling from the shock when, without preamble, the young doctor gave his prognosis. His exact words were, “three to nine months, I reckon”. That he could say this so unfeelingly amazed me. His total lack of compassion did not encourage even the small comfort of tears. I felt as if Brian and I had been shot and from that moment on we were waiting to drop.
Undoubtedly, we were mortally wounded. We suffered shock, disbelief, anger, helplessness, and utter despair; in fact, all the symptoms of grief one feels when a loved one has actually died. Suddenly, we had no control over our lives, our journey through terminal illness had begun.
Throughout the course of our married life, my deep love for Brian and my determination to resolve difficulties had seen us through many trials. I found it hard to believe that nothing could be done to save his life and begun surfing the Internet for information regarding mesothelioma, all the time praying for a miracle, hoping against hope to find a doctor who had successfully operated on or cured someone of it.
It was a sad realization to discover that for Brian there were no miracles; however, I learned a lot and it helped me to accept that he was dying. With my acceptance came a fierce determination to ease his burden. I continued to seek information regarding mesothelioma and the pain and symptoms Brian would experience, due to the progression of his disease. In this way, I came to understand the importance of pain management and symptom control and realized that although I could not stop Brian from dying – I could help him to live.
My acquired knowledge regarding pain and symptom management enabled me to communicate with Brian and to understand the type of pain he was experiencing and the intensity of that pain. I was then able to work hand in hand with his doctors, to bring his pain and symptoms under control. As my efforts resulted in his improved quality of life, I lost my sense of helplessness and gained strength.
Together, we achieved for Brian, a quality of life few thought possible, considering the nature of his disease. A testament to this, despite his prognosis of three to nine months, Brian survived for 2 years, remained active and alert, drove his car for eighteen months after diagnosis and was not bed bound until three short days prior to his death.
Brian’s courageous battle with mesothelioma came to an end on the 24th December 2001; he passed away at home surrounded by his loved ones. He was 54 years old.
This article was written by Lorraine Kember – Author of “Lean on Me” Cancer through a Carer’s Eyes. Lorraine’s book is written from her experience of caring for her dying husband in the hope of helping others. It includes insight and discussion on Anticipatory Grief, Understanding and identifying pain, Pain Management, and Symptom Control, Chemotherapy, Palliative Care, Quality of Life, and Dying at home. It also features excerpts and poems from her personal diary. Highly recommended by the Cancer Council. “Lean on Me” is not available in bookstores – For detailed information, Doctor’s recommendations, Reviews, Book Excerpts and Ordering Facility – visit her blog https://lorrainesblog.blogspot.com/ or email her at [email protected][email protected]
Asbestos.com asked Loraine Kember: What Do You Wish People Understood About Mesothelioma?
Here is her response:
“I wish people understood that there is no safe level of exposure to asbestos. Anyone, including themselves, who has been exposed to this deadly mineral, has the potential of being diagnosed with mesothelioma (or another asbestos-related cancer) at some time in the future. The “it won’t happen to me” attitude has led to complacency here in Australia where DIY renovation of older homes is very popular. Men and women are putting their health and the health of others at risk by attempting to remove asbestos from these buildings themselves rather than employing a qualified asbestos removal company to do it safely.”
To Mrs. Loraine Kember we at Krug Consulting say: You are amazing. You are strong. You are a survivor.
Show your support of National Mesothelioma Awareness Day
Krug Consulting encourages everyone to wear blue on National Mesothelioma Awareness Day.
Blue is the official color of National Mesothelioma Awareness Day. Supporters are encouraged to wear blue clothing or wristband from a charity to raise awareness about the struggle and hope survivors and their families go through.
On this day, citizens and those directly affected by mesothelioma will band together to bring awareness about this rare cancer.
For some, it is a yearly tradition to attend the taping of the Today Show. Many people will gather at the Rockefeller Center in New York holding mesothelioma awareness and mesothelioma warrior signs.
Regulations of Asbestos
Asbestos, fibrous mineral, is extremely durable and a good heat conductor. The leading cause of mesothelioma is high asbestos exposure or inhalation. Asbestos regulations began in the 1970s, but, it is not yet banned in the U.S.
Later this year, the EPA will be selecting the first ten chemicals to evaluate under the Toxic Substances Control Act. Anti-asbestos activists have high hopes that asbestos will be considered as one of those chemicals to be picked by the EPA.