Chris has just had the "official" diagnosis from a consultant. He has remained breathless after his triple heart bypass and was referred for further investigations. The consultant agreed with previous comments about plaques on his lungs being due to asbestos exposure (he was a plumber/heating engineer but also worked on cars with asbestos lined brakes).
The consultant gave us information about the government compensation scheme. We knew there was a scheme but thought that you had to be much sicker to qualify. Apparently it is best to register for compensation within three years of an official diagnosis. If this is not done and the plaques turn into mesothelioma the patient has lost their chance of significant compensation. The consultant put us in touch with a nurse who coordinates with various bodies that will help. We have set the wheels in motion so that, should the worst happen, we are prepared. Not that compensation is wanted if good health was the alternative but we have to be realistic. I remember Mavis saying that she wanted the compensation to be put towards research for a cure. I couldn't agree more.
We have engaged a solicitor, recommended by the nurse, who works on these cases all the time. One obstacle that we thought insurmountable, was finding all the past employers but the solicitor explained that they request all the National Insurance details so that the employers can be traced. It is the insurance industry that pays on their behalf. Chris worked for so many different employers that it was too daunting for him to contemplate.
Yes all through the 50s and 60s we just used and brushed up against asbestos. Look at all those garages. Cookers were lined with it and I repaired them.
Sorry. Wrong thread. For he last two days I've had only the mobile view and constant requests to log in. It's a pain in the arse. Feck knows how this post ended up on this thread. It'd be hard to think of a less appropriate place for it. Sorry.
When NCB closed the pit in our Durham village unemployment went through the roof: I cannot recall any other employers except the Esso garage, the cinema, 6 shops plus 3 pubs and, of course, the Working Mens Club.
"Fortunately" the Government stepped in and promoted Henderson Garage Doors and Cape Asbestos to provide opportunities at new factories.
I was "lucky" enough to work in the Quality Control laboratories for CA: every morning I had to collect handfuls of asbestos fibres, weigh them then find their volume by submerging them in a mercury bath (bare hands!); separate asbestos cement into 10 different grades using a filter tower; break newly-made roofing sheets to ensure that they complied with British Standards! I remember unloading a truck full of asbestos fibres by hand because the mechanised system had broken: we had some tremendous "snowball" fights and walked home caked in white.
Every time I get a serious cough the doc sends me for an Xray: so far so good.
Sorry to hear your news about Chris. I wish you all the best.
The only comment I would add is that we had a friend who was diagnosed with a similar problem and there was a scheme they could apply too. The one thing I recall was that they had to submit their details within 12 months of diagnosis.
So sorry to hear this bad news, unfortunately I lost my father to Mesothelioma at the age of 63, they only diagnosed his condition 4 months before his death although the contact with asbestos happened more than 25 years before and he had been quite poorly with a range of undiagnosed health issues for a couple of years, they even suggested at one point that his health problems were psychosomatic which was really hard for him to bear. He was a bricklayer in Port Talbot steelworks, his job was to reline the blast furnaces with bricks and they would put brown asbestos between brick and furnace wall, they were never offered protection even though the dangers were known at the time.
We were not able to claim compensation as we were not dependants at the time of his death
I'm not sure I can offer you any help but genuinely hope that Chris doesn't develop worse symptoms and that they can offer better options with an early diagnosis
Thanks for the supportive comments. Chris is fairly sanguine about the whole thing (well that is his outward appearance). It only really affects him if he gets a chest infection or if the weather is cold or a climb up a steep hill coincides with the former two. His day to day life is fine.
The consultant at the Norfolk and Norwich was excellent. Very thorough and took lots of time with him. She used to work at St George's in London so we are lucky to have her. Mind you she was not impressed when he said he used to be a smoker and started when he was nine years old behind the bike sheds at school. He has been a non smoker for about fifteen years now.
We are applying for the Government scheme just for the very reason of the one year time limit put upon it from diagnosis. It seems a bit of a harsh limitation. At least the medics are aware and give you the warning.
I always think of poor Mavis who did not work in the asbestos industry but just washed her husbands asbestos contaminated clothes He worked in the shipbuilding industry and was fine but she was not. That is where the genetic element comes in a think.
Let's hope, for your sake Gordon, that the gene theory is correct and that you do not have the bad gene! You were a very naughty boy playing snowballs.
The consultant at the Norfolk and Norwich was excellent. Very thorough and took lots of time with him. She used to work at St George's in London so we are lucky to have her.
Please don't take this the wrong way: I hope that with care and good luck, Chris and you can have many happy years ahead. Look at those references to Mavis!
Last year my daughter's FiL died in NNUH of pneumonia. They initially recorded it as "from contacts in the community" owtte. Her husband was in contact immediately with a female consultant (same one?) who insisted that it be changed to "asbestos related" because that then has implications for the Coroner and statistics, to say nothing of potential financial support.
Mavis is still around and still active, it may well be worth getting in touch with her for advice of whonto se and where to go, she was given a very short diagnosis years ago and after a variety of different, often experimental, treatments has extended that "months" into many years.
She is an acknowledged expert and has been able to talk to Ministers, Parliamentary Committees and even concerned people in the US.
She has written a book (don't have the details here) which is well worth reading. I see it is in the post above so wise men think alike comes to mind ! 🤣
PM me is you need contact details for her.
Best wishes to all involved as the family will also have to become aware of what can be done to make life better.
Sorry, this sounds a very negative post, which it should not, Mavis is an inspiration and is also a motorhomer so scores on two fronts !
Mavis is still around and still active, it may well be worth getting in touch with her for advice of whonto se and where to go, she was given a very short diagnosis years ago and after a variety of different, often experimental, treatments has extended that "months" into many years.
She is an acknowledged expert and has been able to talk to Ministers, Parliamentary Committees and even concerned people in the US.
She has written a book (don't have the details here) which is well worth reading. I see it is in the post above so wise men think alike comes to mind ! 🤣
PM me is you need contact details for her.
Best wishes to all involved as the family will also have to become aware of what can be done to make life better.
Thank you! Mavis and I used to be in touch. I helped her with doggy related problems. I think, from reading quickly through her blog that Lou, the dog, is still around? I would like to be in touch again. Such a brave and strong woman!!! She lives not too far from my daughter so maybe a little visit might be in order?
I am not sure Chris's heart surgeon would agree about recklessness. His face blanched when Chris told him he was paving a path to the house while awaiting a triple heart bypass! It did not look much better when Chris assured him he was only carrying a few bricks at a time.
Asbestosis is not a death sentence on its own unless there are other contributing factors. Many people live and die with it. It is whether it changes into mesothelioma that is the thing that has to be watched. The consultant is going to see him every six months so that is comforting.
Meanwhile, try to put the shadow behind you and enjoy life without constant thought "What if ?"
As Marjorie Pay Hinckley reportedly said;
Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but to skid in broadside, totally used up, thoroughly worn out, and loudly proclaiming WOW ! What a ride !
Every 6 months IS a good indication that the route forward is long......
As regards doing possibly non sensible things after surgery..... I has broken my hip and had a pin and plate inserted, after a year's recovery I was told to "live life normally" so I rebuilt a stone wall with stones which I could barely lift - well over 50kg....
I started to get hip pain and when xrayed they found that I had bent the pin..... it had to come out which was a problem as the screws were bent and would not turn.....
But it came out and I went back to normal life, still aware that I favour that hip for no reason, but skiing, cycling etc all happen....
Meanwhile, try to put the shadow behind you and enjoy life without constant thought "What if ?"
As Marjorie Pay Hinckley reportedly said;
Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but to skid in broadside, totally used up, thoroughly worn out, and loudly proclaiming WOW ! What a ride !
Every 6 months IS a good indication that the route forward is long......
As regards doing possibly non sensible things after surgery..... I has broken my hip and had a pin and plate inserted, after a year's recovery I was told to "live life normally" so I rebuilt a stone wall with stones which I could barely lift - well over 50kg....
I started to get hip pain and when xrayed they found that I had bent the pin..... it had to come out which was a problem as the screws were bent and would not turn.....
But it came out and I went back to normal life, still aware that I favour that hip for no reason, but skiing, cycling etc all happen....
Noo! I wonder what the medics said behind the scenes after stitching him up again.
We watch the 999 programmes where people are picked up by ambulance and carted in to A&E. I comment at the start of every one of them "how many silly old sods will be brought in this time after falling off ladders?!"
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