goodbye 2009 - hello 2010

This time last year we were in blissful ignorance of what life had in store for us in 2009.  I won’t pretend that the last eight months have been easy.  However, somehow we have battled through it, supported and buoyed up by the love, care and good wishes of family, friends and neighbours. Thank you, thank you, thank you.


Who knows what the next 12 months will bring?  There will be ups and downs for sure, as always. However, we’ll aim to make the most of life, enjoy the things that are important to us, try to keep in touch with people and to maintain a positive attitude.  


Yesterday we picked up the forms to renew Steve’s passport which expires shortly. Now that’s what I call positive thinking! Jon and Sally helped us see out the last few hours of 2009 in style with a splendid meal. We stayed up to see in the New Year and the arrival of our first footers - two of Katie’s friends who stayed over.  We look forward to welcoming those who can make it here tomorrow night and will raise a glass or two to absent friends. We will catch up with you in 2010 - and that’s a promise!


The sun is shining brightly as I write, so time to blow the cobwebs away with a walk I think, before thinking about preparations for tomorrow and plans for the coming months.  


May you all have a happy and healthy New Year :-)  


Happy anniversary, Andrew and Jan - enjoy your trip to The Globe!

Changeover day, number crunching and more "thank you"s

It’s an in-between sort of day - Christmas is over but New Year has yet to arrive; Jack departed for Bristol just as George arrived from Manchester; the weather can’t make up its mind whether to rain, sleet or drop a few snow flakes. Time to catch up on some of the things we’ve been putting off…..


Because Steve’s chemo treatment involved many more visits to hospital than the standard treatment, the company that makes the trial drug Velcade will pay for our travel and parking expenses. I spent some time this afternoon going back through the blog noting dates of visits specifically relating to chemo and associated assessments, and collecting together the parking charge receipts.  There were 32 visits in all between 10 June and 11 December, a total of just over 350 miles traveling back and forward between home and the Cancer Centre. Add to that the parking charges, and it begins to mount up…..


Looking back over the blog has also stirred up lots of memories - cannulas, blood tests, CT scans, X-rays, assessments, days out in “rest” weeks" between the long days in hospital for chemo. Still the side effects of the treatment linger on, but to a lesser extent with each day that passes.  A friend who has been through the chemo experience assures us that one day Steve will wake up and realize that he no longer has any side effects - we can put the sick bucket back in the cupboard and he can enjoy a meal without wondering whether it will be followed by nasty “off” flavours.  Thanks for the reassurance, Meg - much appreciated.


Re-reading the blog also reminded me of Jack’s efforts to raise funds for cancer research by running in the Bath Half Marathon on 7 March 2010. Many thanks to Sarah and to Hil and Steve in Australia who have already sponsored him, taking the funds raised so far to 47% of his target.  The link to his Just Giving Page is on the right…If you have any money left after Christmas, please encourage the boy to carry on training through this horrible winter weather - he’ll need to put in a bit of extra effort after all the mince pies he has eaten over the last few days!


Last but not least, we wish you all a very happy, healthy year in 2010 and look forward to seeing some of you here on 2 January!

the West Wing

We’re going to be in the West Wing!


No.  Not the TV programme, but the new West Wing at the John Radcliffe Hospital here in Oxford, where three of our artworks have been selected to be hung in wards and private rooms!


Here are Steve’s images:  

and here is mine:

I do hope that patients and visitors alike find them positive and uplifting.  Having spent so much time hanging around in hospital in the last six months, we fully appreciate the importance of enjoyable artwork to look at! 

the festive season

The run up to Christmas
The run up to Christmas felt like a bit of a sprint finish, but we got there in the end: last presents bought, wrapped and put under the Christmas tree; cards hung up and more news to catch up on; the festive season menu chosen and food shopping finished; all the time keeping an eye on the weather forecast as the snow and ice wreaked chaos on roads and public transport. The celebrations kicked off with pre-Christmas drinks with friends on Wednesday which helped to get us in a festive mood. A last minute reprieve in the weather meant that both Jack and Katie arrived home safely and on time on Christmas Eve, and all was well.


Christmas Day and Boxing Day
After all the rushing about, it great to chill out on Christmas Day with a lazy breakfast, a visit a few doors away to feed a friend’s cat, followed by presents, from fresh flowers to fabulous things to eat and drink, homemade goodies, feasts for the eyes and charity presents with a healthcare theme (very apt) amongst other things!  Many, many thanks to everyone for your generosity! The Christmas meal went off without a hitch and we enjoyed an evening of tennis, motor racing and trivial pursuit on Jack’s new games console.


Katie’s friend Emily joined us for our Boxing Day walk. Other years we have headed for the hills (well, they count as hills around here - Shotover, Wittenham Clumps and the White Horse Hill).  This year, we stayed closer to home and on the level, with a walk along the west bank of the Thames as far as Godstow, a pit stop at the Trout for refreshment, and home via the wide open spaces of Port Meadow, trying not to slip on the icy patches or sink into the mud where the ice had melted! 

I put on the evening meal to cook for two hours before we were due to eat.  However, when we gathered in the kitchen a couple of hours later to prepare the vegetables, Steve noticed that the oven had only just come on…Not only had I set the oven timer for two hours, I had also inadvertently delayed the start of cooking by the same length of time. Doh!  So we were on to Plan B, something quick and simple that we could cook and eat in time for two of us to go out to the cinema as planned.  Thanks heavens for pasta and sauce - not our usual Boxing Day meal, but it did the job!  


Unbeknown to us, the hiccup on the catering front continued….Jack and I returned from the movies to find the gammon joint still in the oven, some two hours after it should have come out, while Steve sat in blissful ignorance in the front room, finishing the bottle of wine, having forgotten about it completely!    Ah well, that’s one way to get very crispy crackling!


And now….


Today has been a lazy day, catching up on sleep, news from friends and thinking about the rest of the holiday and the approaching New Year. Unspoken, but there in all our minds, are thoughts of how Steve will be this time next year.  Although the side effects of the chemo still haven’t gone completely, in other respects he appears to be well and continues to hold his own in the battle with Leo. Our first Christmas since diagnosis is over. May there be many more to look forward to in the future, as well as all the special occasions in 2010!

the shortest day

It was a very jolly festive gathering in Bristol yesterday. Katie and George drove through the snow from Manchester to get there, and made it only a little bit late.  Our great nephew Zac entertained everyone delightfully.  Nick and Kate’s “bump” was much in evidence, but wisely decided not to arrive early. How wonderful to think that he/she will be joining in the fun next Christmas!  In fact, everyone was in good form for our indoor picnic, even Steve who had been feeling a bit sorry for himself with a cold in the run up to the event.


We erred on the side of caution and decided to come home afterwards, rather than stay with Jack.  Looks like it was a good decision in retrospect.  Bristol was snowed in today, so we might have had a few problems getting away. As it was we’ve had a productive shortest day - the last packets and cards posted, the Christmas bird bought (so don’t worry Jack and Katie - there will be food on the table on Christmas Day!).  We even managed to fit in a good deed - finding a purse full to bursting and taking in into the lost property office at the Police Station. I do hope the young lady who lost it thinks to give them a call.


As a photographer, I would have loved to have woken up to a blanket of snow. Taking that hat off, I’m so relieved that we have managed to escape the worst of the weather, which has been closing in around us but not made life horribly difficult so far, other than icy pavements which are bad enough. Thank goodness we don’t have to go to hospital for chemo tomorrow.  What a relief that’s behind us for the foreseeable future.  My heart goes out to all those still going through the treatment in the festive season……


Not long now; things are coming together nicely.  Hope your plans are working out too, wherever you are and whatever you are doing.  It’s been so good to get all the Christmas cards and letters and to find out what you have all been up to - keep ‘em coming!  And be careful out there….

one step forward, two steps back

Just when we thought we were moving forward, the going gets tough again.  The tiredness that Steve has been experiencing since his flu jabs on Tuesday has turned into a cold - the catarrh is making him cough and this seems to have triggered a worsening of the nausea and sickness that had been getting better slowly. So much for putting the emergency bucket back in the cupboard….


As it’s easier to handle such feelings at home, especially first thing in the morning, we have abandoned plans to go to a festive gathering in Wells tonight (sorry, Chris - catch up with your in 2010); cancelled the B&B (but still have to pay due to the short notice…ah well, such is life) and will have a chilled out day at home instead.  Steve can rest and recuperate while I wrap the family presents and prepare food for tomorrow’s gathering of the wider Wride clan and partners.


Fingers crossed, Steve will feel like traveling tomorrow. He’s been rather dispirited these last few days, probably because of the cold developing. It’s that time when you look back over the old year and forward to the new one….I think that looking back has rekindled those feelings of anger, helplessness and frustration we experienced in June, when we first heard about Steve’s condition. 


Looking forward, Steve is wondering just what to do - he doesn’t feel in a position to make long term plans; the things he ought to do in the short term about legal matters, financial affairs and responding to the solicitor are not very appealing; the structure imposed on our day-to-day lives by the regular visits to hospital no longer exists, and he finds himself drifting, with little or nothing at the end of the day to show how he spent the hours.  When you are acutely aware of your own mortality, a feeling that that you have been wasting time does not put you in a positive frame of mind… 


Some how, he needs to find a focus or target that is challenging and rewarding, but still achievable in a limited period.  Something to work on, I think.

moving forward

Barring the unexpected, Steve had his last hospital appointment of 2009 yesterday.  Nothing to do with mesothelioma, but a return trip to the orthopaedic centre for the team to “review” his carbon fibre finger joint, which replaced the arthritic joint four years ago. It’s still there. Still working. No oil required.  


He was asked about his general health so had to tell them about the cancer, which rather puts his arthritis in the shade. Nevertheless, they have invited him back again in 12 months to see how the replacement finger joint is faring. Let’s hope that we are still here in a year’s time, moaning about a hospital appointment so close to Christmas….


We have also had what I hope will be the last trip to the GP in 2009: we both had our swine flu jabs on Tuesday and Steve also had the seasonal flu jab in his other arm. Poor thing - both arms aching, not just one.  Our arms are still a bit tender, and Steve has also been feeling tired these last couple of days, which we assume is the side effect of the two flu jabs - just when he’s almost recovered from chemo side effects….It will be a good day when he finally decides that it’s safe to put the emergency bedside bucket back under the kitchen sink!


With hospital and doctor’s appointments finally over for this year, we can move forward with preparations for Christmas. Time to wrap some presents, me thinks….

Six months on

It’s six months since Steve was diagnosed with mesothelioma and I’m pleased to say that he’s still going strong. 


Looking back, I have to admit that the chemo was grueling, particularly the last few cycles, where the side effects never really eased off during rest weeks.  Indeed, they still haven’t disappeared completely, but we are getting there.  It is a relief, however, to be able to look forward to a break from hospital visits - in the last six months, there have been only three whole weeks in which we didn’t have one or more trips to the cancer centre.  It wasn’t just the hours involved in hospital and traveling there and back, but the way in which the time between visits was so disjointed - never more than 2-3 days at a time to get on with life.  


In some ways, we are learning to live with Steve having an incurable illness. It helps that, at present, he is not having difficulties breathing and his mobility is not affected, so life goes on as usual in many respects - we still have to do normal things, like shopping, cooking, household chores (although some have been ignored for as long as possible…..) It’s always in the back of our minds however, that this could change very rapidly at any time, and then there is the prospect of more chemo - not something either of us are looking forward to. 


That said, although finishing the last course was a relief, we feel a little like we have now been cast adrift in a vast ocean, at the mercy of the tides and the weather.  What do we do now? What happens next?  It wasn’t something we talked to the consultant about at the last assessment visit, other than to make an appointment to see him in three months time for another CT scan and X-ray to assess any change.  After feeling that Steve has been the centre of the team’s attention for six months, it now feels rather bizarre to have drop off the radar completely for the next three months.  


However, we are not sitting idly by waiting for the worst.  Since the problems with his white blood cell count during chemo which lead to treatment being postponed three times, Steve has been taking vitamins, zinc and omega fish oil supplements to help boost his immune system.  He hasn’t had a problem since, even though he felt rough during the last few cycles.  So that regime continues..  


Our continuing quest for information about meso treatments threw up research about the effectiveness of a medicinal mushroom Agaricus Blazei Murill (ABM), which is widely used in Brazil, China and some other European countries where it grows naturally.  It was reported recently in the Journal of Medical Case Reports that a mesothelioma patient who took ABM had a clinical tumour disappearance during a 29 month follow-up period.  We are not assuming it will be a miracle cure for Steve, but it fulfills the need we feel to do something active in the fight against Leo. Guess what’s on the breakfast menu every day now…


So - here we are, six months on, still going strong, in spite of falling into emotional pit holes occasionally, and trying not to be too daunted by what inevitably lies ahead at some point in the future. We are determined that it won’t spoil the here and now, if we can possibly help it.  And on that positive note, who is going to invite us to a New Year’s Eve party to remember?

one small step and lots of celebrations

Unless Steve has a late night panic, this is a special day - the first time in ages that he not needed to take an anti-nausea tablet. One small step, but a good sign, nevertheless!  Cause to celebrate - which we did this evening at the Oxford Studio Christmas meal, with our friend Ruth over from Vietnam for a short stay.  We toasted Steve’s success at keeping Leo under control and my success in the RHS Photography Competition - more of which when it becomes public officially!


The 60th un-birthday party celebration on Saturday was very enjoyable - many thanks, Elizabeth! The wine flowed freely; there was excellent home-made food; live music…and we were weren’t the only ones dancing!  As well as meeting E’s family, I bumped into my former tutor, John G, from student days, and David C from my time at Oxford City. We also spent some time singing along with, and talking to, a couple whose son worked with Ruth’s daughter. They had also visited Vietnam, where we still hope to go next year. When we walked into the treatment room at the GP surgery today for our swine flu jabs, there was the same lady we had been talking to on Saturday night.  It’s a small world….


Slowly but surely, plans and preparations for Christmas are coming together.  The cards are posted or have been delivered locally, by hand.  Most of the presents are sorted out.  The tree will come inside tomorrow to be decorated and a Christmas wreath will go on the door.  And we might even have some snow…..


I’ll try to post some pictures soon. This blog is a bit light on images for a pair of so-called photographers!


Life is almost close to being normal.  It feels good.  We do hope to see lots of you at some point or other, over the festive season!

He said... We said.... And the bottom line is......

The hospital clinic was running more than an hour late yesterday, so they kept us in suspense about the outcome of Steve’s test results after a full treatment of Cisplatin and the trial drug, Velcade.  


When we finally saw the consultant, he said
“Do you want to know the bottom line?" 
We said "Yes”, nervously.  
He replied “No change - possibly a millimetre smaller here and there, but not what we would call a significant response”.


So there you have it.  Five months and six cycles of chemo later, and we’re still in the same place.  Bit of an anti-climax, really. All those hospital visits, cannulas inserted, bloods taken, chemo administered, sickness, nausea, tiredness and such like, and Leo is still the same size. Still, he isn’t any bigger, so he’s not winning the fight.  May be we have the chemo to thank for keeping him in check.  Only time will tell if that’s the case.


Steve still has the standard chemo treatment as a fall back option should he need it, and there are likely to be be other drug trials in the future which may be worth exploring. Having chemoembolization in Frankfurt (like Debbie in Plymouth) might be a way forward, whilst taking more natural supplements to boost immunity won’t do Steve any harm, and might do some good.  Likewise good diet and exercise.  


We can take comfort from the fact that a normally aggressive cancer is still stable, nearly six months after diagnosis.  And the side effects of chemo are slowly slowly wearing off.  Hallelujah! 


Although it wasn’t the outcome we had been hoping for, it was the one we were expecting, rather than the one we were fearing. Steve said, yes, I’m OK - go to Bristol, so that’s what I did.  It was great to meet up with my work friends, albeit for a short while! When I returned home today, there was good news: three of our pictures were sold at the Radley College exhibition; the local NHS Trust has bought three more of our prints (two of Steve’s and one of mine) for the new West Wing at the John Radcliffe Hospital here in Oxford, and the RHS has shortlisted two of my images in this year’s photography competition.  We may have reached stalemate with the tumour, but at least our artwork seems to be enjoying some success at the moment.  


We bought a Christmas tree this evening.  There is a 60th Un-Birthday party to look forward to tomorrow.  I’m now on leave from work for three weeks, so plenty of time to get ready for Christmas, between appointments next week for our swine flu jabs and Steve’s return trip to the orthopaedic centre to prove that his carbon fibre replacement finger joint doesn’t need oiling!


For a change, I might post some of our artwork next time….Break up the text a bit as they say….


…So don’t worry…We’re still here, going strong, feeling mainly positive and looking forward to Christmas!

Almost human....sometimes!

Well, it was quite a weekend and Steve managed brilliantly, even though he’s still in the process of recovering from the chemo side effects.


The main event was a trip to Kent on Sunday for a surprise 60th birthday and retirement party for Martin, a long-standing friend from our student days.  And it really was a surprise - he didn’t have the faintest idea of what was in store when he arrived for what was supposed to be a meal out with two friends!  Mind you, he had to sing for his supper (well, play the keyboards actually) with his band who were up on stage ready and waiting for him to put in an appearance.  Great food, great atmosphere - Steve and I even managed a bop or two on the dance floor, safe in the knowledge that we didn’t have far to travel at the end of the party, just upstairs to the B&B wing of the party venue.

Monday morning we set out for London where I did some prep for Tuesday’s meeting, before going into town to see the Anish Kapoor exhibition at the RA then joining friends Peter and Paula for a wonderful meal that night, which gave us a chance to catch up on news and admire Ellie’s cake decoration. That’s my birthday cake sorted for next year!


Tuesday’s meeting went smoothly.  Steve sat through it in the public gallery (without dropping off to sleep in spite of the exertion of the previous evening), so now he knows what I get up to when I’m working away from base…We were back at home at a reasonable hour, thank goodness, so plenty of time to recover.


Steve said that there were times this weekend when he felt almost human again after such a long time of feeling rotten with the chemo.  However, he has yet to last a whole day without taking an anti-nausea tablet and is still getting the weird tastes in his mouth, occasional tingles in his hands and feet which he didn’t really notice until the last dose of chemo, and cramp in his leg (but that might just be old age and lack of exercise over the last five months).


Today we have been sorting ourselves out - me at work, Steve making a start on Christmas cards for our friends abroad, which we posted after dropping into the doctor to drop off another research study questionnaire into mesothelioma victims’ employment and family history (which Steve has filled in already, as it happens).  


Took the opportunity at the surgery to get an update on the swine flu vaccination programme as we have heard nothing, in spite of being priority cases as a person whose immune system is compromised and his carer.  It looks like we had fallen through the net, but are now flagged up on the system.  Not a moment too soon.  My temperature has rocketed this evening to 37.9 C, just a whisker under the swine flu trigger of 38 C. However, apart from feeling hot and bothered, I have no other symptoms, so it’s probably down to anxiety and wearing a big warm jumper.


We are both feeling a little nervous about tomorrow, when we pay a return visit to the Oncologist to find out the results of Steve’s latest CT scan and X-ray. What will it show? Who is winning?  Steve or Leo?  Or is it still a draw?  


Assuming all is well, I shall leave Steve to look after himself for 24 hours or so while I go to Bristol after the hospital visit for a work centenary celebration and meal.  If all is not well, I won’t feel much like celebrating so will probably stay at home so we can drown our sorrows together.   A big thank you to those who have already been in touch to wish us good luck for tomorrow.  The rest of you, please keep your fingers crossed for us!  


Watch this space for news….

The great debate

It’s two weeks and a day since Steve’s last dose of chemo and we had hoped that the side effects of treatment would have worn off by now….But no, they still linger on.  Most mornings and evenings we have the great debate.  Should Steve have an anti-nausea tablet or try to manage without? He’s desperate to get back to “normal”.  In fact, he is doing rather is doing well.  He’s not taking tablets during the day. However, he still needs them at other times, either in the morning or the evening.  


It’s all a bit of a merry-go-round.  There are times when Steve is up, feeling fine and prancing about in the kitchen to whatever the i-pod decides to play at random.  At other times he’s fed up, wondering why he now appears to be having side effects that he didn’t notice before, like numbness in fingers and toes.  The spasms in his leg continue to annoy him from time to time, usually in the evenings after a long day sitting in front of the computer….I wonder why?


I think it will all settle down eventually.  The cumulative impact of chemo side effects that have built up over five months are bound to take more than a couple of weeks to disappear entirely.  Going to hospital so frequently and knowing that he would feel rough after chemo, meant that he was expecting the worst.  Now that doesn’t happen, he has no obvious reason not to feel good and more time to be aware of the things that bother him.  It’s really not surprising that he is feeling the way he is at the moment. What he needs are some distractions.  Let’s see what we can do…..Watch this space!

Coping strategies found useful by mesothelioma victims

Mesothelioma is such a disease that affects not only the person diagnosed with the disease, but his or her loved ones, too. The intention to write this article is to offer some resource for patients and their families who are living with this disease. Coping with mesothelioma, unlike other types of cancer, can be significantly difficult. There are few support groups specifically available for mesothelioma. These are quite often informal groups of people who reside in the same area or who occasionally meet each other in doctors’ chambers or hospital waiting rooms. There are larger and more organized support groups for cancer sufferers in general but not for mesothelioma sufferers in specific.

Let’s see how this support groups operates.

Support Groups The main job of the support groups is to help people, deal with the challenges that they are facing. It is known that over 20% of Americans have participated in some type of self-help group. There are mainly two types of support groups that are available. They are online support groups and community centred support groups. Nowadays in an era of internet the number of online support groups is gradually increasing. It is possible that a support group exists in your community or on-line that can help to provide you the required support.

Support groups may provide several benefits:

“A social platform for getting connected with others who are facing similar situations.

"A platform to know how others have coped with challenges similar to the ones you are facing presently.

"A safe, non-judgmental atmosphere where one can share feelings.

"The reassurance that you are not alone, there are other’s too who have either suffered in the past or is undergoing the same presently.

"A platform where you can reliably share information.

"A source of reliable Support from others who understand from personal experience what you are going through

Incidentally there are different types of support groups that are available. This includes groups with strong focus on a particular disease such as mesothelioma, groups of caregivers, and family-centered groups.

Some of the Characteristics of a successful group are as follows:

"A mix of participants from various age groups. "Honesty of purpose "A caring atmosphere "A sense of trust should prevail among members "A good facilitator "Members should abide by the group rules, including confidentiality.

Apart from joining support groups, a patient should be encouraged by his family members to remain relaxed and try to focus on the bright side of the life. A patient should not feel depressed and emotionally drained. The family members or the caregivers should create a healing environment and encourage the patient to think positive. There are lots of inspirational books that tell how people are fighting mesothelioma and other life-threatening diseases. Meditation is another way to keep your mind distracted from morbid thoughts and tension.

Reference:

Matt West

How do you choose the best Mesothelioma Attorney?

There are hundreds of mesothelioma trial lawyers practicing in the United States today, but they all have different qualifications. There is no actual designation for a mesothelioma attorney or trial lawyer, any lawyer can claim to be specialist in this area and lawyer with a recognized law degree can represent you in court.

However there are lawyers who are well versed in asbestos mesothelioma related lawsuits and who have sufficient experience working on such cases, these lawyers can be referred to as being specialist in the field and you stand the best chance of getting compensated with them.

Choosing the right mesothelioma trial lawyers to represent you should start with an initial interview. Get a feel of the attorney or law firm, the gut feeling you get from meeting them, how attentive they are in listening to the specifics of your mesothelioma case will help you to determine if they are good enough for you.

You should also ask your trial lawyer the following questions at the initial interview:

• How many mesothelioma and asbestosis cases has your firm handled? You want a firm that has lots of resources and plenty of experience. You should also find out if the person you are meeting with will be the attorney that will actually handle your case or will it be passed to another attorney. If it will be passed, request to meet the actual attorney you will be working with.

• Are you recognized by your state Bar Association as a specialist in asbestos lawsuits? You can also contact your local bar association and ask for a list of mesothelioma trial lawyers; they will give you contact information for each attorney.

• What is your success rate at trial? Although not every mesothelioma case goes to trial, it is important to know whether the lawyer you are considering has a winning track record facing the asbestos defense lawyer in court. Most mesothelioma trial lawyers will gladly tell you their track record. You can also ask for documented evidence to be sure of their claims.

• How many mesothelioma asbestos cancer settlements have you handled and what amounts have you been able to secure? About half of all cases never see the inside of a courtroom because both sides agree to settle. Find out what you can expect in terms of a cancer settlement negotiation and how the asbestosis defense attorney or trial lawyer determines “just compensation” when negotiating a mesothelioma cancer settlement. For instance, will they ask for punitive damages in addition to medical bills?

If you ask these questions and are satisfied with the answers, chances that you have chosen the right firm is very high.




Bello Kamorudeen.http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

How very strange......... no chemo!

It’s Tuesday and we haven’t had to spend the day in hospital - how very strange!  Now I think we can truly say that chemo is really over..


…What a pity the side effects aren’t over as well, even after a rest week.  Following a couple of days respite, we were back to the morning sickness today, even though it was mild and swift. Steve still needs anti-nausea tablets morning and evening, and is getting frustrated by the strange flavours which are still affecting his taste from time to time.  That said, he really does seem noticeably better in himself in terms of energy levels, which are on the up (though still not normal) and mental alertness/taking an interest in things (the lassitude is lessening!)


It’s 1st December and we have a busy time ahead, trying to make some more headway with preparations from Christmas.  However, as I have my head down for the rest of this week sorting out papers for a work-related meeting in London next week, I’m not sure how much progress we can expect to make in the meantime. 


Plans to get away for a short break before the festivities start in ernest have had to be put on hold/scaled down because Steve has a hospital appointment at the orthopaedic centre to review his bionic thumb the week after next, as well as next week’s assessment meeting with the consultant to review any changes to the cancer following the last two cycles of treatment.  The chemo may have finished but the hospital visits carry on, for the time being at least.


However, I did manage to meet up with friends last Friday over a few drinks to catch up on news from Nottingham (lovely to see you Karen and Mark) as well as bumping into other old friends, quite by chance on separate visits to the Ashmolean (what nice surprises Paul and Veronique, and John and Kate!).  We’ll be dropping in on other friends in London next week (looking forward to it, Peter and Paula!) and there’s something else happening before then… but my lips are sealed until after the event!


Last but not least, a big thank you to our neighbour Marie, who never ceases to amaze us with her kindness and generosity. 


P. S. thanks for the Christmas joke, Glyn - Carols indeed! 

6 Crucial Facts About Lung Cancer

1-Lung cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. It is characterized by the abnormal division and multiplication of cells within the lungs and bronchial tubes causing the accumulation of tumor cells into a cancer.

2- In the United States alone, approximately 10,000 people die from asbestos-related illnesses, and many of these people are victims of lung cancer.

3-There are two basic types of lung cancer - small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer, the latter of which represents the large majority of lung cancer cases diagnosed in the United States each year. In patients with lung cancer, the tissue cells of the lungs and associated respiratory organs begin to divide abnormally at an uncontrollable rate. Cancers that develop in the lungs may metastasize to other regions of the body. These growths are composed of cells similar to those of the original tumor and are just as likely to pose a health threat to the afflicted person.

4-The symptoms of lung cancer are many and vary according to individual cases and factors. Some of the more common symptoms of lung cancer include persistent coughing, chest pain, changes in the color, volume, or consistency of sputum, the presence of blood in sputum, weight loss, or decrease in appetite, headaches, and general fatigue. Although these symptoms may indicate the presence of lung cancer, they are not by any means a certain measure of diagnosis.

5-A person experiencing these symptoms must seek a medical analysis for an accurate diagnosis. Imaging tests like chest x-ray, CTscan, MRI, PET scans are used to diagnose the disease. Also tissue tests known as biopsy are also used to confirm the diagnosis.

6- According to experts in the field of asbestos and lung cancer, there are a number of factors that can affect a person’s level of risk for developing lung cancer once they have been exposed to asbestos. The amount of asbestos exposure and the quantity of fibers that have collected in the body greatly affect one’s risk of developing cancer. It is important to remember that, as with most cancers, lifestyle plays a considerable role in the risk of developing lung cancer after exposure to asbestos. Smokers and other people who have a lung condition (or any illness) prior to exposure are at a greater risk for developing asbestos-related lung cancer, not only because their respiratory system has already been compromised, but also because of the synergistic affect of smoking and asbestos exposure. Many people who are exposed to asbestos develop non-cancerous respiratory illnesses, such as asbestosis, which also increases the risk of developing lung cancer and mesothelioma.



Bello Kamorudeen.http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Have you worked in shipyards before? Then you are at risk of asbestos exposure

There are certain jobs that increase one’s risk of asbestos exposure. If you worked in shipyards during World War II and the Korean War you were very likely exposed to asbestos. The material was greatly used for shipbuilding because of its ability to resist corrosion and high temperatures. The asbestos dust tended to build up around these areas and other inadequately ventilated parts of the ship, which led to human exposure aboard vessels.

Not only the shipbuilders, but the crews of those ships and the longshoreman (those who load the ships) were heavily exposed to asbestos as well. In fact, before the 1980s, many longshoremen probably even loaded bundles of asbestos onto ships.

Before that time, the health risk associated with asbestos was not known by these workers and no special precautions were taken to prevent inhalation.

A scientific study revealed that 86 percent of shipyard workers with 20 or more years of experience developed asbestos-related lung disease or lung cancer. If you have ever worked in a shipyard or on an old ship and feel you may have been exposed to asbestos, it is important that you discuss it with your physician. As with most types of cancer, mesothelioma is best treated if detected early.

If you or a family member are diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease you should seek to know more about the disease and seek for legal help to you get monetary compensation from those that wrongfully exposed you to asbestos.




Bello Kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

A small step forward.... Cycle 6, Day 20

For the first time since the start of cycle 6 of chemotherapy, I wasn’t woken by the sight and sound of Steve retching into the emergency bedside bucket.  In fact, it’s 10 am and he hasn’t been sick at all.  A small step forward, but a very, very good one -  long may it continue!

He’s still taking the anti-nausea tablets mornings and evenings, but feeling better for missing out day time medication.  We even managed an amble into town to sample the delights of the re-vamped Ashmolean Museum, enjoy the hubbub of Christmas shoppers, buskers and carol singers, and do a bit of shopping interspersed with refueling stops for lunch, cakes and coffee.  

With no hospital visits at all next week (only third entirely hospital-free week since June) we have started to look ahead more than a few days and to think about Christmas and the New Year.  We hope we’ll enjoy many more of these together, but at the back of our minds is the thought that this might be the last.  Not being negative - it’s an incentive to make it memorable for good reasons!  

Time to go on an expedition to the dark recesses of the loft storage cupboard, dig out the Christmas tree advent calendar and fill the little boxes with chocolate truffles and other such delights ready for the first day of December.

How To Recognise the early symptoms of asbestosis

Asbestosis is one of the disease associated with asbestos exposure and it is characterized by chronic scarring of the lungs. Thankfully however it is not a life threatening disease although it is chronic in nature. Most of its symptoms are common to other respiratory illness but if you have been exposed to asbestos in the past and you start to experience these symptoms you should start suspecting that maybe you have asbestosis.

Early Symptoms of Asbestosis

Asbestosis symptoms generally show up in three stages. In the earliest stage, it is usually assumed that the mild symptoms are due to general illness, being overweight or simply being out of shape. These are some of the early symptoms of asbestosis:

-Dyspnoea{difficulty in breathing} after exertion or exercise. This is usually the first symptom and it is most often overlooked as a symptom of some other milder commoner respiratory illness. Some other people just assume that they may be overweight.-

-Dry cough, especially a chronic cough that isn’t associated with other symptoms. For example, a dry cough that is not associated with fever nor other signs of infection.

-General malaise or easy fatiguability. - -Wheezing can sometimes occur early on as well, especially if the individual is also a smoker.

Mid-Stage Symptoms of Asbestosis

Mid-stage asbestosis symptoms include all of the earlier symptoms, plus:

-Dyspnoea{difficulty in breathing} that has now worsened with Dyspnoea now occurring at rest when the victim is not engaged in any physical activity.

-Recurring chest pain or a feeling of tightness in the chest area. Some people feel like they “can’t catch their breath” or that they cannot fill their lungs.

-Clubbed fingers or pitted, uneven fingernails - these symptoms indicate that the concentration of oxygen in the blood is reduced as result of poor absorption of oxygen into the blood stream via the lungs.

-A honeycomb-like appearance of the lungs in an MRI scan film.-

These symptoms of asbestosis are caused by permanent scarring of lung tissue, this causes inefficient transfer of oxygen into the blood stream. Asbestos could also result in the development of other more severe types of asbestos related disease like mesothelioma and lung cancer, so you should also be conversant with the symptoms of these other diseases.



Bello Kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

3 Important Medical Costs Associated With Asbestos Related Diseases.

The medical costs associated with diseases that are related to asbestos exposure can be extremely high. Every patient afflicted with an asbestos related disease must be aware of the likely medical expenses he/she will likely incur. Asbestos-related illnesses can be very expensive for a variety of reasons. Understanding the expenses involved in treatment is an important factor when considering filing a claim against the company responsible for asbestos exposure.

1-Long-term care costs.

Asbestosis is a progressive disease with no true cure. If you are diagnosed with asbestosis, your physician will work to make you as comfortable as possible and maintain your lung functioning as long as possible. The use of oxygen therapy (which provides the body with adequate oxygen) is one method of therapy. Another beneficial treatment is respiratory therapy, where the patient works with a respiratory therapist to strengthen the lungs. A respiratory therapist can also teach special breathing techniques that will help the patient clear secretions from the lungs. This therapy can help slow the progression of asbestosis.

2-The cost of combination therapy.

Mesothelioma is aggressive and highly resistant to treatment. Once diagnosed with the disease, the average mesothelioma patient survives roughly one year. There are several reasons why mesothelioma is so difficult to treat. One factor is the difficulty in detecting the cancer. By the time the patient is diagnosed with mesothelioma, it has often spread. Another factor is the location of the tumors, which are sandwiched in the mesothelium lining. Because of these factors, any hope for a cure must include aggressive treatment. This may entail surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation in any combination, and includes frequent medical monitoring to determine how well the treatment is working. This form of combination therapy is usually very expensive requiring the use of expensive drugs and highly specialized medical personnel whose services do not come cheap.

3-The cost of participating in clinical trials.

Because mesothelioma is often a terminal disease, many mesothelioma patients are advised to participate in clinical trials. Clinical trials are used to test the efficacy of new drugs to treat diseases before approval for general use by the drug regulatory agencies {FDA in the US}. Involvement in clinical trials is strictly voluntary, and may provide a last hope of successful treatment for many patients. The costs of participating in clinical trials are not usually covered by insurance, as they are not considered standard methods of treatment. Some expenses of a clinical trial will be paid by the hospital conducting the trial and some expenses will not be covered which the participant will have to bear.

Medical treatment for asbestos related diseases can be very expensive and every victim should file a lawsuit against the companies that were responsible for the wrongful exposure to asbestos to be able to claim much needed compensation.




Bello Kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma Settlement-Structured Lump Sum Payments

When you are diagnosed with mesothelioma, you should seek for monetary compensation from the people who wrongfully exposed you to asbestos fibers which ultimately led to the development of the deadly terminal cancer. This compensation will be needed to offset the huge medical bills that will arise from the treatment of the cancer and it will also provide necessary funds for the family of the victim when the victim most likely passes away.

Some lawsuits can result in payment of large sums while others are not that successful and result in the payment of little or nil compensation. The defendant may also opt for an appeal of the verdict in which case payment is further delayed.

Monetary settlements come in various forms and one of the payment methods that can be adapted is the structured lump sum payment. In this type of settlement the victim will receive an amount of money at periodic intervals like monthly, or every two months or quarterly until the money is paid in full.

One major draw back of this type of settlement is that since the money comes in small batches getting huge amounts of money to make the needed big lump sums of money for medical treatment is difficult. However you can by pass this obstacle by seeking the services of lawsuit funding companies who will turn intermittent payments into a big one time lump payment for you for an agreed fee, this will help you to raise the big lump sum amounts that you need for your medical bills especially.

In some cases, payments are made by settlement trust funds set up by companies that have gone bankrupt, many of them are offer lump sum structured settlement payments to the victims of asbestos related disease.

Asbestos laws and lawsuits are very complex so every mesothelioma patient should learn as much as they can about mesothelioma lawsuits and they must always seek for the services of an expert mesothelioma lawyer to handle their case.




Bello Kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Back on familiar territory... Cycle 6, Day 17

Although chemo is over, we were on familiar territory again this morning, back at hospital for Steve’s CT scan and X-ray. No food or drink for 2 hours beforehand, so we had to get up very early for Steve to have breakfast well before the deadline, to avoid the nausea and sickness that still troubles him if he doesn’t eat little and often.


The procedures themselves were very quick compared to a normal chemo day, even though Steve had to drink a litre of water (with something in it to help show up everything on the scan) as well as the usual iodine injection that makes it easier to see the cancer cells.  The usual wait afterwards over a coffee in the cafe to make sure he didn’t collapse, then home.


Back to hospital on on 10 December to hear the results.  I’m hoping to be allowed to arrive late for a work-related event in Bristol which starts that day, so that I can be there with him to hear the news.


Recovering from the chemo side effects is a long, slow process - Steve still needs the anti-nausea tablets first thing in the morning and late at night, but is gradually weaning himself off taking them during the day.  That seems to be helping his head clear and he’s less drowsy….So, good news - especially as the last cycle of treatment isn’t officially over until next Monday, when this “rest week” finishes. 


He’s a popular man at the moment - not only does the cancer care centre want to see him on 10 December, the Orthopaedic Centre wants to see him on the same day to see what’s happened to the finger joint he had replaced a couple of years ago.  As he has yet to master the art of being in two places at once, I think the finger clinic will have to wait!

Mesothelioma Doctors- Who Are They?

Most mesothelioma doctors are specialist doctors in different fields. It can be an overwhelming experience when you have to see different specialist and having a basic understanding of the different types of doctors that you are likely to see will help you handle the anxiety that you are bound to experience. These are the different kinds of specialists that you are likely to come across:

Oncologists

Oncologists are doctors who specialize in treating not only mesothelioma but cancers of all types. They specialize in using chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer. There are two types of oncologists, those that specialize mainly in the use of radiotherapy known as radiation oncologists and those that specialize in using chemotherapy known as chemotherapy oncologists.

Pulmonologist

A pulmonary specialist, or pulmonologist, or chest physician is a specialist in treating lung diseases. They treat diseases like asthma, COPD and other diseases of the lungs. Mesothelioma doctors who are pulmonologists can also treat other asbestos related diseases such as asbestosis which may not involve an actual tumor or cancer.

Thoracic Surgeons

These doctors are highly specialized in doing invasive surgery on the lungs, heart and chest. These surgeons are needed when surgery is being considered as the form of treatment for mesothelioma. They can perform various curative and palliative surgeries on the mesothelioma patient.

Pathologist

Mesothelioma doctors will need the support of a medical pathologist who will do tests on you regularly to monitor progress. The pathologist will do blood and urine tests and interpret some biopsies in order to determine the condition and extent of your illness. The pathologist works mainly in the laboratory and hardly ever gets to meet the patient, but their contribution is very crucial to determining the type of treatment and the likely prognosis of the disease.

Most of these specialist doctors work in the big hospitals in the major cities and the mesothelioma patient will need to search for more information about them to be able to locate them.




Bello Kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma Compensation-Are You Aware Of Structured Settlements?

The National Cancer Institute defines Malignant mesothelioma as a very rare form of cancer, in which the cancer (malignant) cells are found in the sac lining the chest (the pleura), the lining of the abdominal cavity (the peritoneum) or the lining around the heart (the pericardium).

Mesothelioma is a killer. People that have lived or worked around asbestos can show up with this killer disease 20-40 years later. Sometimes a brief exposure to asbestos is all it takes to develop the disease. Some of the places that a person might have been exposed to asbestos include: pipe insulation, insulation around fireplaces, some types of siding, clutches and brakes, tiles for floors and ceilings, boiler insulation, shipyard workers, paper mill workers, mechanics, electricians, bricklayers, millwrights, plasterers, refinery workers, carpenters, and others.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Mesothelioma, you should consult mesothelioma attorneys for legal advice. You may be entitled to millions of dollars from negligent companies. Many Mesothelioma attorneys will work with clients on a contingency basis, meaning that the lawyer will take his fee from winnings of the structured settlements and that the client doesn’t have to come up with money out of his pocket to hire and pay an attorney. Most mesothelioma lawyers will take about 40% of the compensation amount.

Asbestos cancer is a cancer that should have been prevented it is the result of deliberate negligence on the part of companies. People that have been exposed to it and developed this killer cancer from it and their families deserve to be compensated. Compensation in the form of structured settlements or payments can take care of the now disabled victim and the victim’s family.

These companies have set aside millions of dollars in the form of structured settlements to pay the claims of injured workers and people who have been wrongly exposed to asbestos and developed the cancer Mesothelioma as a result of that exposure.

Structured settlements are legal arrangements that provide the plaintiff with a personal injury claim regular payments, sometimes of various amounts, over the period of several years, and sometimes for the rest of the plaintiff’s life. These structured settlements can also be passed on in a will to survivors in some circumstances when the plaintiff dies. When a terrible accident or injury has occurred, negligence for example, structured settlements can be very substantial and a continuous stream of income can often be expected.

Most Mesothelioma attorneys will tell clients that the downside to structured settlements or a Mesothelioma claim is that it could take a long time for payments to begin, but the truth of the matter is that it does not always take that much time.

You should discuss with your mesothelioma attorney on the possibility of getting a structured payment for you and your family members.




Bello kamorudeen.http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Guest appearance... Cycle 6, Day 15

Hello everybody, and today’s blog is brought to you by the number 6, the letter Y, and me, Steve!


I’m told this the 100th post and I’ve been asked (told more like*) to write it.


I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your kind thoughts and encouragement, it really helps.


How am I feeling? Gradually recovering from the chemo is the answer. Since discovering one of the side effects of the anti-nausea drug is “lassitude”, I’ve cut back on my intake and I seem to be thinking straight again. The result is that I’m feeling more positive about things and am not dropping off at a moment’s notice, although there is still a slight trend towards morning sickness. Persistence of off-flavours still comes and goes, but that too is improving. I’ll soon be feeling “normal” again at this rate!


The next post will see a return to normal service, so it’s cheerio from me, talk to you again come the 200th.


* Editor’s note:  It was a very nice request with a big “please”

Mesothelioma Clinical Trial-An overview of three important clinical trials

Clinical trials are used to find out whether the treatment is safe for general use and whether it is actually effective against diseases. Participation in clinical trials is an important treatment option for many patients with mesothelioma as much of the currently used treatments offer little hope for a cure.

Mesothelioma is very resistant to treatment h and medical experts believe that there could be an epidemic of mesothelioma cases in years to come. Clinical trials (research studies with people) are designed to find new treatments and better ways to use current treatments, raising hope for victims of this devastating disease. These are three important ongoing clinical trials for mesothelioma treatment.

1-Phase III Vorinostat (SAHA) clinical trial for progressive or relapsed malignant pleural mesothelioma patients. This trial is studying the use of chemotherapy drug vorinostat to kill cancerous cells and stop their division, it is also believed that the drug can inhibit enzymes that are needed by the cancerous cells for growth and multiplication. These studies are currently in the third phase to understand its effects on epithelial, sarcomatous, and recurrent mesothelioma. Phase III Vorinostat (SAHA) trials for progressive or relapsed malignant pleural mesothelioma patients are currently underway at the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center at UCLA and Warren Grant Magnuson Clinical Center - NCI Clinical Studies Support, Bethesda, Maryland.

2-Phase II AZD2171 clinical trial for patients with unresectable malignant mesothelioma Phase II AZD2171 for patients with unresectable malignant mesothelioma is investigating the use of chemotherapy drugs to inhibit enzymes that slow the growth and block the supply of blood into the cancerous cells. Cancer cells depend on the formation of new blood vessels to bring blood that will supply the nutrients that they need for growth, new drugs are being studied that will inhibit the development of these new blood vessels. This study hopes to result in the development of drugs that will be used to treat epithelial, sarcomatous, advanced, and recurrent malignant mesothelioma. These clinical trials are underway in Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming.

3-Phase II clinical trial on the use of Pemetrexed Disodium with Gemcitabine or Carboplatin in advanced malignant mesothelioma patients. The Phase II clinical trial on the use of Pemetrexed Disodium with Gemcitabine or Carboplatin in advanced malignant mesothelioma patients clinical is a study to study the effects of chemotherapy drugs pemetrexed disodium, gemcitabine, and carboplatin on advanced and recurrent malignant mesothelioma. This study is in phase II and is being conducted in several locations across the country including Delaware, Florida Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

Mesothelioma victims should always endeavor to ask their oncologist about available clinical trials in their area.



Bello Kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma Case Value-How Strong Is Your Case?

If you are suffering from an asbestos exposure related disease you must seek the advice of a competent mesothelioma attorney who will review your case to determine the strength of your claim whether your case is worth pursuing. The factors that will be considered by your lawyer will most likely include:-

1-A genuine diagnosis of asbestos related disease. Your lawyer will want to know if you have been diagnosed with this disease by a competent qualified doctor. A diagnosis by a medical expert is a clear indicator that you were at some time exposed to asbestos.

2-Your work history. Where have you worked? For how long did you work there? What was the nature of your job? Many asbestos related industries, like ship work, electrical work, certain aspects of automobile work have a proven history of asbestos exposure in the workplace.

3- Your prognosis. The worse the prognosis of your condition the more likely you are to get compensated. A bad prognosis will place extra financial burden on you to cater for expensive medical bills and treatment, it will also put on you the responsibility of providing money for your family after you might have passed away.

It is imperative for an asbestos mesothelioma victim to get an expert lawyer to guide him/her through the complex asbestos litigation.




Bello Kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Little by little... Cycle 6, Day 13

Progress update:

• No morning sickness for the last couple of days.  Will it last?  Can we think about removing the emergency bedside bucket?  
• No longer any numbness in fingers
• Ringing in the ears very infrequent and very intermittent
• Nausea still a problem, still taking the tablets
• Bad tastes in the mouth still a problem
• Fatigue, still a big problem - Steve is doing his impression of the Sleeping Beauty again, as I write….
• Cramps in the leg still a problem, but whether this is a side effect of the chemo or something totally unrelated we don’t know
• Difficulty concentrating is still annoying him - Steve just hates being beaten by a crossword or sudoku

So….progress is slow, as we knew it would be, but there are some measurable improvements in terms of chemo side effects, even though its only a couple of days since the last dose of Velcade. 

However, psychologically, Steve is still rather dispirited. Feeling physically washed out and mentally sluggish isn’t helping.  I think it’s also a problem with being back in limbo again, waiting for the next hospital appointment to come through; waiting for the results of the next CT scan and X-Ray to find out what’s happening inside; wondering whether the efforts of the last five months or so have had (or will have) a beneficial effect, in the knowledge that we will never really know the answer to that question.  

Lurking in the background is a letter from the solicitor still trying to pin down where and how Steve was exposed to the asbestos that sowed the seeds of this illness so long ago. Neither of us can find the enthusiasm required to go on this particular quest at the moment, so the letter sits there, still waiting for a reply, looking at us accusingly….

Although we were fed up going backwards and forwards to hospital, at least it felt we were doing something to fight the cancer.  In recent weeks, we have longed for the treatment to come to an end.  However, now it’s finished, we’re faced with the reality that nothing is being done to actively combat the disease, and somehow that feels a bit like throwing in the towel.  On the other hand, neither of us could face the prospect of more chemo in the foreseeable future. 

Talk about a mass of contradictions and conflicting emotions!  

Mesothelioma Lawsuits- Looking at the Case Response Stage

The second stage of a mesothelioma lawsuit typically is the response of the defendant to the lawsuit filed against them. The defendants in mesothelioma lawsuits are the asbestos companies responsible for exposing the victims to asbestos. The defendants are given around 30 days to respond and the plaintiff does not have to wait for ever. This is known as the case response stage of the lawsuit.

The defendant is served court papers either by mailing the petition to the company or by contacting the people involved especially if the company has been declared bankrupt.

Upon filing paperwork and sending it to the defendant, your lawyer may receive a number of possible responses. The defendant rarely admits to any form of guilt, most times they will make allegations against the petition.

The kind of allegations you should expect are:

- Your health problems were caused by smoking, drinking or drug abuse.

-There is a strong family history of similar diseases in your family.

-You were exposed to asbestos at some other places where you worked.

-You have not been properly diagnosed by a qualified medical professional.

-Your petition was not properly filed, even if you filed it on time.

-You were exposed to asbestos and other dangerous substances in your own home, not just at work.

-You do not have the authority to file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the deceased.

-Your medical condition has nothing to do with exposure to asbestos. Do not be alarmed if the response you receive contains one of the above (or a similar response), as this is to be expected. Some of the elements in their response may be used if the case goes to trial and your lawyer will be fully prepared to refute such fallacious claims. The response may include a settlement request, but this is rare.

If a company has dealt with asbestos cases in the past, they may be willing to settle right away in order to avoid a lengthy and costly lawsuit. However, this first settlement offer may be very low. Most often you will have to wait till when the trial is close or when the trial has commenced before they offer a reasonable amount. Every mesothelioma patient should have a good knowledge of mesothelioma lawyers and mesothelioma lawsuits to be able get the compensation they deserve.




Bello Kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

the view from the summit... Cycle 6, Day 12

I’ve come to the conclusion that undergoing a course of chemotherapy is a bit like climbing a mountain.  


It requires a considerable amount of time-consuming preparation before you take the first step.  Going through the foothills isn’t difficult but it takes time, and you can sometimes lose sight of the goal.  


The closer you get to the summit, the steeper the ascent and the harder the going underfoot.  The air is thinner, it takes more energy to climb.  Tough terrain and bad weather can cause occasional set backs and delays.  There is altitude sickness and exhaustion to contend with, as well as the risk of frost bite and dehydration.  


There are times that the cold is almost unbearable, and you are sorely tempted to turn back…But the end is in sight, and you can’t give up now, even though the final ascent requires all the determination you can muster and it takes every ounce of energy you possess to reach the summit.


And then you are there, on the top. Cold, exhausted, aching, but relieved to have made it.  You have come out of the clouds and can see see the way ahead, whereas up until now you have just pressed on putting one foot in front of the other, step by laborious step.  


But the journey doesn’t end having reached the summit. You still have to make your way back down again, summoning up some more energy from somewhere to work that tired body for the descent.  Gradually things get easier as the body readjusts to breathing more oxygen. The altitude sickness eases off then disappears altogether.  The gradient lessens, the ground becomes easier, and the aches and pains get better….


Steve is now on the descent. It will take a while before the side effects of the chemo wears off and his energy levels pick up.  But he’s on the right track, going in the right direction and slowly but surely, it will get better with every passing day.  


Post script


As the next blog will be No 100, I have asked Steve to write it (about time he contributed to the blog, other than telling me about my appalling grammar and typos)….Whether he will, or not, is another matter!  Watch this space.

They think its all over - it is now! Cycle 6, Day 11

Well…very nearly all over, for the time being at least.  


It’s twenty weeks and three days since our first meeting with Alana to discuss taking part in the Velcade drug trial. Since then, we’ve been to hospital 33 times by my reckoning mainly for chemotherapy, plus a few radiotherapy sessions, some CT scans and X-rays and three abortive visits when we were sent home again because Steve’s white blood cell count was too low to continue treatment safely.  

But today Steve had his very LAST dose of Velcade, and we said our farewells and “thank you” to the staff on the Short Stay Oncology Ward which has felt like our second home since July, so much time have we spent there!  If you are at all curious about the Cancer Care Centre and live within reach of Oxford, there is a public open day tomorrow, Saturday 21 November, 11.00am-3.00pm.  Details http://www.oxfordradcliffe.nhs.uk/cancer/centre/centre.aspxt.  However, I think this is one invitation we can decline!


Although no more chemo is planned, Cycle 6 does not finish until 30 November, so officially Steve is about to start  a “rest week”.  He’ll need that period to get some relief from the side effects of the drugs, which have been building up with each successive cycle of treatment.  


We’ll back in hospital again some time in the next week or two for Steve to have the last CT scan and X-ray to see what effect (if any) all the chemo has had on Leo, take part in the end-of-trial assessment and talk to the prof in the Chest Clinic.  More of that in the future….


But for now, we can both heave a huge sigh of relief that this stage in the treatment is over.  Steve isn’t up to a big celebration yet, but we’ve treated ourselves to a big box of chocs and, I dare say, a bottle will be opened this evening! Perhaps tea out somewhere special over the weekend.  All being well, he’ll be feeling much better by the official end of the last cycle and we can enjoy a big celebratory meal and let off those spectacular fireworks!


We’re not the only ones with something to celebrate today - happy 21st birthday Gina and many, many happy returns!

Mesothelioma Lawsuits-Important facts for you to know

Passing through an asbestos mesothelioma lawsuit is usually a very challenging experience for most victims of asbestos related diseases. They are faced with legal technicalities that they have very little knowledge about. They will need an experienced mesothelioma asbestos lawyer to carry them along and explain things to them in a very simple manner that they can understand, their lawyer should explain every stage of the legal process to them and should also endeavor to explain certain legal terms which they will be exposed to, to them.Some of these legal terms are:

-Plaintiff and defendants-The victim is known as the plaintiff while the company that is being sued by you, are the defendants-

-Petition:-This is the official legal complaint that your lawyer presents to the court stating who you are and why you are instituting legal action.

-Interrogatories: - During the third stage of the lawsuit you may be required to fill out written questionnaires as part of an interview to collect data and facts about the case by the defendant’s lawyers, these questionnaires are called interrogatories.

-Deposition: - Also during the third stage of the lawsuit known as the discovery process, the lawyers might record the proceedings of their interview of you on a videotape, this is called a deposition and this can be done in your home.

The case process is a bit different when a wrongful death lawsuit is filled by the family members of a dead mesothelioma victim. Even if the victim passes away during the personal lawsuit the initial case will be closed and a wrongful lawsuit will be filed instead.

In any case whether a personal injury suit or a wrongful death suit is filled the involvement of the victims and their relations is very limited and the entire stages of the lawsuit are handled by their lawyers. The victim should also note that he/she would not be required to pay upfront for the services of a mesothelioma lawyer as most of them work on contingency bases meaning that they only get paid a percentage of the compensation that you receive , if you do not get compensated they do not get paid.

One of the major challenges you are going to face as a mesothelioma victim is the choice of the right lawyer to handle your sensitive case. Your choice of lawyer goes a long way in determining how successful you are going to be in your pursuit of justice.




Bello Kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com

Mesothelioma - History, Hazards and Dietary Advice

History of asbestos.

There are four main types of asbestos; Amosite (brown fibers), Anthophyllite (gray fibers), white Christie, and blue Crocidolite. Chrysotile has curly fibers while the other three have rod like fibers. These fibers fragment into dust quite readily and waft into the air. They can adhere to skin or clothing and are easily swallowed or inhaled.

Half a century ago, asbestos was hailed by many as a miracle product. They said nearly anything could be made from this mineral. It as used as an additive to reinforce mortar and plastics. Asbestos fibers can also be separated into fine threads that do not conduct electricity and are unaffected by heat or chemicals.

Use of asbestos drastically increased during World War II. Shipbuilding incorporated asbestos extensively in freighters and support vessels to insulate boilers, steam pipes and hot water pipes. Asbestos became the miracle construction material as it was readily obtained, processed, and transported. After WWII cars used asbestos in brake shoes and clutch pads. Asbestos found its way into residential and industrial building materials, water supply, sewage materials, ceiling and floor tiles, and vermiculite garden materials to name a few products.

In the 1970’s, following the discoveries of the health dangers of asbestos dust inhalation, the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission prohibited the use of asbestos in several products that could liberate asbestos fibers into the environment during use. Regulations governing the use of asbestos and public concern since 1970 have created a significant drop in the use of asbestos in the United States. The same pattern has been seen in most of the developed world.

In 1989 all new uses of asbestos were banned by the Environmental Protection Agency while any old uses before that year were still allowed. The EPA suggested that schools inspect for damaged asbestos and eliminate any exposure or enclose it in protective barriers. Vermiculite, widely used in horticulture, became a concern of the EPA . They recommended outdoor use, limiting the amount of dust used, and keeping vermiculite damp.

Health hazards

Asbestos may create serious health hazards such as coughing, lung damage, shortness of breath, and lung cancer. Most people do not become sick in the early stages of contact but usually need continued exposure. This often means on jobs such as mining, milling, manufacturing asbestos products, and the building construction industry. Firemen, demolition and destruction workers, drywall removers, and anyone else involved in trades that involve destruction of buildings, ships, and automobiles are also exposed to the hazards of asbestos.

Over a number of years continual exposure to asbestos can cause very serious health problems, such as mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare type of carcinoma of the membrane that lines numerous cavities of the body, including the lungs, abdomen and heart, and has been associated with exposure to asbestos dust. In mesothelioma, the cells of the mesothelioma metastasize and damage adjacent organs and tissues.

Mesothelioma may not develop for a long period of time, often as long as twenty-five or thirty-five years before full blown symptoms appear. Not all workers who have been exposed will develop diseases, but workers who have been exposed to it may bring fibers on their clothing, hair, shoes, and skin home to their families. To circumvent this risk, most industries require workers to bathe and change their clothing before they leave work.

Dietary advice for Mesothelioma patients

Doctors and nutritionists may recommend a special cancer diet because many mesothelioma patients tend to lose their appetites due to worry over their condition. Also, those who are undergoing treatment may choose not to eat because of the unpleasant side effects they may experience. Chemotherapy and some medications may cause an imbalance of nutrients that must be corrected in order to keep the body as strong as possible and to keep the patient from losing an excessive amount of weight. Other side effects of mesothelioma treatment can include nausea, vomiting, constipation,dry mouth and a change in the sense of smell or taste.

In our childhood we were all told to eat our vegetables. Forcing down cabbage and sprouts was supposed to make us bigger and stronger. Well, so it is for mesothelioma patients. Diet is often an overlooked subject for cancer patients, but eating the right nutritional foods for strength and energy is just as important as taking the proper medication.

Mesothelioma patients undergoing treatment must follow a special cancer diet devised by their nutritionists. The details of every patient’s mesothelioma diet will vary. Some patients will need to incorporate more fat into their diets, while others may need more protein. Cancer diets involve eating the correct amounts of protein and calories as well as drinking the right amount of water to keep the ailing body replenished and energized. The body needs plenty of nourishment when it is going through chemotherapy or even when the patient is taking certain medications.

It is important that patients devise a cancer diet under the guidance of their doctor and nutritionist to ensure that they obtain the proper amount of nutrients to improve their quality of life.

Protein is important for any cancer patient because it helps repair tissue damaged by surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. Protein also helps maintain a strong and healthy immune system, lowering a mesothelioma patient’s risk of infection after aggressive cancer treatments. The National Cancer Institute recommends increasing protein in a cancer diet with cheese, milk, ice cream, yoghurt, eggs, nuts, peanut butter, meats and fish.

Fats are an essential part of the cancer diet because they supply the body with the necessary energy it needs while undergoing treatment. The amount of fats a cancer diet should consist of is dependent on a mesothelioma patient’s age and body size. The National Cancer Institute recommends increasing caloric intake with such foods as butter, milk, cheese, honey, sugar, granola and dried fruits.

Water is another essential component of the cancer diet. Without a significant amount of water, the body will dehydrate. It is important that anyone undergoing cancer treatment drink sufficient water to keep their bodies hydrated and replenished.

Reference: Michael Aldridge