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Mesothelioma Cancer
by Lorraine Kember
http://www.cancerthroughacarerseyes.jkwh.com
Mesothelioma Cancer
Asbestos Blue~~~~~~
~By Lorraine Kember
He was only a child when it begun
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 chest a infection, I made a
doctor's appointment for him the next day. Chest X-rays
revealed fluid on the lungs, over two litres 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 which 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 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, 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.
Once again we found ourselves with no control over our
lives. This time however, there was no light at the end
of the tunnel. 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. Testament to this, Brian survived for 2 years
despite his prognosis of 3 to 9 months. 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.
My husband Brian passed away on the 24th December 2001. I
have written a book called "Lean on Me" Cancer through a
Carer's Eyes, in the hope of helping others. My book
includes; insight and discussion on: Pain Management,
Symptom Control, Chemotherapy, Palliative Care, Quality of
Life and the benefit of dying at home. Featured also are
excerpts and poems from my personal diary which portray
the roller coaster of my emotions as I cared for my
terminally ill husband.
For further information, recommendations, reviews, book
excerpts and ordering facility please visit my website.
www.cancerthroughacarerseyes.jkwh.com
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