I never actually worked with Asbestos. All this pain and despair for me was caused by washing my husbands clothes back in 1961. After National Service he went back as a Shipwright in the Dockyard where he worked with Asbestos. We married and he left to work at British Uralite making Window Boxes for Council flats, etc. Ray had a Scan and he has scarring. I on the other hand have Mesothelioma from washing his clothes.
Prior to my Diagnosis I was a very active person. I regularly went to keep fit classes, went swimming, walked in the country side 14 miles sometimes and everyday without fail walked the dog 2.5 miles. This changed on coming back from holiday in Spain in 2009. I had burnt myself on an iron at the New year and had not felt it. My arms and hands twisted and my feet went numb and I couldn’t breathe. A visit to the doctor resulted in an admission to K&CC hospital, they drained 5 ltrs of fluid from my lungs. I was given the news that I had Mesothelioma and no future. Such a pretty name for a deadly disease. Prognosis was 3 months to 2 years.
I arranged my funeral, threw out my old clothes and bought new things for the home so that Ray wouldn’t have to worry about such things. I was given an appointment for Mrs King and she carried out the Talc op in Guys. The operation was a success and this was followed by Wound radiation and Chemo. I hated the Chemo, 10hours of watching fluids going in my veins and then next day sick, I was so weak that I needed a stick to hold me up when I walked around. Just as I got better the next 21 days came round and another Chemo and back to the sickness and weakness. But after 4 sessions the CT Scan showed I was stable.
I enjoy life again and I’m able to walk the dog but I do tire easily and afternoons I drop off to sleep. I now have a tumour that is shrinking but we don’t know when it will return.
Mavis