Posted on June 28, 2016
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 Robert, as shared by his widow, Dianne, 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.
Robert’s Story – “Our Lives Will Never be the Same”
Name: Robert
Location: Massachusetts, US
Date of Birth: MAR-1948
Diagnosis: Mesothelioma
Date of Diagnosis: DEC-2006
Treatment: No treatment was available; cancer was too advanced .
Date of Death: MAR-2007
How has asbestos changed your life? (Shared by his widow, Dianne, unedited)
I lost my husband & best friend on March 11-2007 2 days before he turned 59. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma on new yrs eve 2006. He passed away 8 1/2 weeks after his diagnoses Bob was a great guy & father & grandfather. He owned his own panting business & built houses. He loved his family & friends & played on a softball team & loved horse racing & summers in Saratoga NY. I will never forget on New Year’s Eve waiting for the News of his biopsy @ mass general hospital it was around 9:00 pm when the Dr. Came in his room & confirmed our worst fear Mesothelioma.. We both were so scared for each other.Bob wanted me to head home so I would not get stuck in 1st night celebrations & I did not want to leave him. Well I headed home after a few hours & cried the whole way home, I don’t know how I could see driving.well they found out the cancer was already in the lympnodes & they were going to do chemo & the night before he was to start treatment his kidneys went into failure. & over the next 8 1/2 weeks he was in the hospital & then passed away. I watched my husband go from a handsome strong man who worked hard everyday to a skinny frail man who was in such pain. The day he past our family fell apart & for 9 yrs now our lives will never be the same.. It is so sad that these companies have been able to get away with this.. We need to spread awareness .
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