Media attention

A lot has happened since the last time I logged onto my blog. The media has become involved, all by chance.
I had a call from my solicitor and was asked if I would take part in a piece to camera that was being done by the BBC who were invesigating asbestos.
I was going to go to the media with my story after I had a final figure as I didn’t want to damage my case but I was assured that nothing I would say would damage the case.

The journalist arrived with a camera man and did the interview and went away and I thought no more of it until my phone rang.
Another photographer, ITV, Local paper and journalists were all interested.

Silly me got myself in a pickle with journalists from an agency who took advantage of a very naive person. Ended up as a story in a magazine that was nothing at all like my life.
I couldn’t get out of it as I had signed a contract. I won’t be doing that again in a hurry!
I would like to say a lovely big thankyou to a lady who wishes to remain anon and with her kind donation paid off some bills and bought a laptop to carry on my work with this website.

CT result

I had a CT scan done a few days ago and went to see my Oncologist for the results. He told me that the tumour had not changed since the last CT scan which was in October 2006. I am very pleased with that result and I hope it continues. I feel I have a little bit of my life back.

Fighting the establishment.

I have decided to fight for a claim against the MoD and I have just discovered that my mother used to complain about the amount of asbestos dust my dad brought home with him when he worked for the MOD in Plymouth.
What a great start to the new year.
I will have to fight for a claim now and hopefully I will win.

Christmas tree
I went to my local garden centre with a friend for lunch and saw a christmas tree in the sales.
I didn’t have enough money on me to buy it, it was £168 and was reduced down to £84.
It is a black, fibre optic tree about 5-6 ft tall.
I think it is beautiful.
My daughter said she was going to the same garden centre a few days later and I gave her the money to purchase it.
I have bought it as a challenge, I have been given 6-9 months to live which means I won’t be here for chrismas 2007. I am not excepting that prognosis and am on a mission to see my new tree up.
I will find a new challenge after that one has passed.

Second opinion

What a difference!
The new Oncologist I am seeing is so different, more positive. He knows I know the score and is very supportive, even if I try alternatives as I have decided not to have chemo at the moment. I am having radiotherapy treatments on 27th, 28th and 29th December to stop any cancer cells spreading to the operation site.
Merry Christmas and a happier new year.
2007 will hopefully bring some good news.

Happy birthday Kieran

My little boy will be 10 today. He is growing up to be a wonderful and wise little boy. I took him out to eat and he will have a party later as it has been so busy with all that has happened this year. I hope I can make it up to him.
I love you little bean x

Happy Birthday Dad

Happy Birthday to my dear dad who would have been 69 today.
I love him and miss him so much. He loved Christmas, he would make mince pies and would enjoy singing his karaoke songs.
He was wonderful.
I will remember him forever.

Chemo conveyer belt

I went to see the oncologist today and was shocked to find that he had given me 6-9 months to live. I was offered chemo and was told that no amount of excercise, diet or life changing would help my condition. I felt like I was being given the option for chemo and then left in a corner to die. I told the consultant in no uncertain terms that I would not except that. I was also told I could claim a grant from the goverment (IIDB) for having Mesothelioma. I knew this information was wrong as it can only be claimed if the sufferer had worked in an asbestos industry.
Now I am on a mission to prove him wrong. I have also asked for a second opinion.