The Effects of Asbestos

lung cancer, mesothelioma, pain, symptoms, pain control, palliative care, courage, love, terminal diagnosis, terminal disease, prognosis, quality of life, asbestos, asbestos disease, asbestos death

He was just a kid when he started
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 the 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 on several occasions. Believing that this is due to chest infection, I made a medical examination for him the next day.

Chest X-rays revealed fluid on the lungs, more than two liters, which was drained, giving Brian immediate relief, but it was a tense wait for pathology results. Through the Internet I became aware of several conditions that may be responsible for fluid on the lungs, as well as 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 the pneumonia or pneumonia but the pathology results showed that cancer cells are present.

When Brian finally received a diagnosis, my worst nightmare becomes reality. He is pleural mesothelioma, a terminal lung cancer caused by inhaling asbestos dust. We found that it is inconceivable that the disease is the result of Brian inhaling asbestos dust as a child that lay dormant for forty-five years before become lethal.

We are still reeling from the shock when, without preamble, the young doctor gave a prognosis. His exact words were, "three to nine months, I think." It could have been so insensitive to say to me outside of ourselves. His complete lack of compassion did not encourage the small comfort of tears. I felt as if Brian and I had been shot and from that moment we were waiting to drop.
Without a doubt, mortally wounded. We suffered shock, disbelief, anger, helplessness and despair to say, 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 began.

Throughout the course of our married life a deep love for Brian and my determination to solve the problems they saw us through many trials. I found it hard to believe that nothing can be done to save his life and begun surfing the Internet for information about mesothelioma, all the while praying for a miracle, hoping against hope to find a doctor who had successfully operated on or treated someone else.

It was a sad realization to discover that for Brian there is no miracle, but I learned a lot and it helped me to accept that he was dying. With my acceptance came a fierce determination to reduce their burden. I continued to search for information about mesothelioma and the pain and symptoms Brian would experience, due to the progression of their disease. In this way, I came to realize the importance of pain and symptom control and realized that although I could not stop Brian from dying - I can help him to live.

My acquired knowledge about pain and symptom management enabled me to communicate with Brian and to understand the type of pain is experienced and the intensity of pain. I was then able to work hand in hand with their doctors, to bring his pain and symptoms under control. As my efforts resulted in improving the quality of life, I lost my sense of helplessness and gained strength.

Together we achieved for Brian, the quality of life few thought possible, given the nature of his illness. Testament to, despite his prognosis 3:00 to 9:00 months, Brian survived two years, he remained active and alert, drove his car for eighteen months after diagnosis and was not bed bound until three short days before his death.
Brian's courageous battle with mesothelioma came to an end on the 24th December 2001, he died at home surrounded by his loved ones. He was 54 years old.