Posted in June 2011
We have been touched by asbestos in individual ways, yet we are joined together by a common bond of community. As a testament to the strength of our global family, Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) is highlighting the courageous stories of our members with the new “Share Your Story” feature on our website.
This week, we would like to honor the story of William.
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.
WILLIAM’S STORY
(shared by his daughters, Leah and Stacy)
Name: William
Age: 72
Location: Ontario, Canada
Date of 1st Symptoms: October 2007
Date of Diagnosis: March 7, 2008
Treatment: Treatment: Pain management only. Hydromorphone (about 10 times stronger than morphine)
1936 – 2008
How has Asbestos changed your life? (unedited):
March 8th, 2008 was the first time my sister, brother and I had ever heard the word mesothelioma. Our dad, who had suffered from a sore shoulder for a few months and had been to the chiropractor, physical therapy and physio therapy was sent for a CT scan. Sometimes lung cancers can be present as a sore shoulder we learned.
Our dad, an electrician, had worked in areas with asbestos in the late 60s and early 70s. He was the epitome of good health until this. 2 months and 5 days later our dad passed away. We were told by doctors that it was the most painful cancer and so are grateful that he didn’t suffer long. We were able to fulfill his desire to stay at home until the end, with a nurse coming daily to check on him and monitor his painkillers.
Dad was only 72 and his own father had only died two years earlier in his nineties, so we felt robbed of many more years with him. Our mom is now in a study at Princess Margaret hospital in Toronto in an early detection program for mesothelioma. We can’t help but wonder if some day one of us may develop it as a result of playing with our dad when he got home from work with asbestos fibers on his clothes.
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