Posted on September 9, 2014
We have been touched by asbestos in individual ways, yet we are joined together by a bond of community. As a testament to the strength of our global family, the Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) is highlighting the courageous stories of our members with the “Share Your Story” feature on our website.
This week, we would like to honor the story of Smoe, as shared by Suzanne, his wife, who is a part of our ADAO family.
We encourage you to submit your personal stories by clicking here and following the simple instructions on the page. In sharing, comes healing. Remember, you are not alone.
“Asbestos is Not Only Bad for You, It Kills You! ” – Smoe’s Story
Name: Smoe
State: Iowa
Date of Diagnosis: 13-AUG-2011
Diagnosis: Mesothelioma
1958 – 2011
How has asbestos changed your life? 
It has now threatened mine and my son’s health. I go every two months for a CT scan due to the exposure from riding to and from work, and beating clothes that were full of fibers before washing. The doctors in Chicago recommended this. My son goes once a year at this point due to his young age.
My husband suffered horribly. He had an artificial diaphragm and an EPP done in Chicago but it was little help. He lived only a few weeks after the procedure that was rated for him as a 50/50 chance of survival. Due to the other lung filling up quickly and the cancer spreading so fast I had to tie him in a chair 24/7 sitting straight up so he didn’t suffocate. I have seen many cancer victims suffer but nothing could have prepared me for what he was to go through.
I read 40000 pages of discovery from the corporation where he was exposed and they know of 2700 known sites for many years and never marked them as danger – asbestos or notified employees. That company did not even follow their own corporate standards and procedures even after then knew that many people were exposed. I find this all senseless and am hoping to find some good out of his horrible suffering and ensure that others are made aware of the dangers.
My son misses his father terribly as do I. No father at graduation, or when he will get married and have children. I miss him terribly.
My husband was a loyal hard working man that was taken advantage of by a household name company that certainly could have afforded to pay for proper labeling and abatements but decided cheap labor cut in less to their bonuses and profits.
Asbestos guidelines in the US needs to follow the other nations that are banning it period! Bankruptcy trusts need to be reworked and benefit families and victims, not frustrate them.
In my husband’s honor I started the Smoe Prymek Asbestos Awareness Scholarship Foundation for high school graduates This is the third year it has been offered and there were ten applicants all with excellent fact filled essays about asbestos and the dangers of exposure. I know at least this year there are ten different seniors that are aware of the dangers and hopefully spread the word to others who may not understand – asbestos is not only bad for you it kills you! I have to think this happened to us for some reason other than corporate greed. That it is my mission to make sure awareness is spread to everyone!
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