Tragically the word mesothelioma is becoming more and more known, the mere mention of it striking fear into all of us, because we know that this is associated with death. Asbestos is the reaper, mesothelioma its hand maiden.
Asbestos, amazing works of the fifties is now recognized as an enemy of the twentieth century. A ruthless enemy that will kill more people than war. Men, women and children are victims of its prey, innocents who at some time in their lives inhaling asbestos dust.
Most of us have been in contact with products containing asbestos in our life time. We sat in asbestos class rooms, stood beside our fathers as they cut asbestos fencing, pulled up old linoleum with asbestos clogged to the back. Visiting the local tip where broken sheets of it lay open to the wind.
Records show that a large number of people suffering from asbestosis and mesothelioma, which are directly working in asbestos mines, shipyards and companies making products from asbestos, but there are a large number of people affected, who have never worked in these industries. Their contact with asbestos from the dust brought home on clothing, or her husband from asbestos tailings placed around mine houses and town perimeters. But the tragedy does not end there, children innocently playing in their backyards playing amongst the asbestos tailings as children elsewhere play in the sand. They had no way of knowing that their sand is white asbestos. A good bath at the end of the day can be removed by the dust from the skin surface, but dust in the lungs and left to lie dormant for many years before claiming its deadly legacy.
Without warning, a healthy individual suddenly becomes short of breath, x-rays reveal fluid on the lungs and the night mare begins. Questions are asked and answered, yes, I was exposed to asbestos dust, but I was only in town for a few months, and it was more than 40 years ago. How can this be? This is the most perplexing thing about mesothelioma. Why is there such a long period of time between inhalation of asbestos dust and the onset of the disease? What causes a strong healthy body to suddenly succumb to it? What can we do to prevent this from happening?
Blood tests are now available for the determination of mesothelioma is present in the body before the person is aware of any symptoms. This is an amazing breakthrough and perhaps the first step in treating the disease before it becomes terminal. Recently mesothelioma was cured in mice and attempts to return it with the mouse were unsuccessful. This, too, exciting stuff and holds a glimmer of hope for us all.
I have witnessed firsthand the devastation of mesothelioma. My husband was strong and virile man who rarely been sick day in his life. Suddenly, the age of 52 he began to choke and was subsequently diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma. He lived in the town of Wittenoom asbestos mining in Western Australia for several months at the age of seven years. Asbestos dust he inhaled then, took forty-five years to become fatal. I still find this hard to believe.Despite the forecast of three to nine months, Brian survived for two years. He was 54 years old when he died.
Lorraine Kember is the author of Lean On Me: The eyes of cancer through home care, powerfully moving and inspirational true story of the courageous battle with mesothelioma husband and her emotional journey as she cares about him. This touching book includes helpful information on topics such as: management of cancer pain, symptom control, and cope with their grief. Diary excerpts and poems Lorraine wrote along the way are interspersed throughout this book and further depict the depth of their love for each other, a sense of helplessness she experienced on his diagnosis and her growing strength as she begins to realize that much she can do to improve their quality of life. This book was highly recommended by the Cancer Council, as well as many other organizations and doctors. To learn more about this book or order it online, please visit her websitehttp://www.cancerthroughacarerseyes.jkwh.com