I have not read your entire web site yet.
My father was diagnosed last May. He was a pipefitter and was exposed to asbestos.
We were told that this was a slow growing cancer; but what is so frustrating is not knowing how long he actually had it.
He has gradually gone downhill since October of 99 and this past Sunday, things got much worse.
My greatest fear is how much he may have to struggle and is there anything that can be done to help his breathing??
I am a nurse who works with the elderly and am used to experiencing death, but when it comes to my Dad I seem to lose all perspective and nursing sense.

I truly hope that you and your family are doing okay. Your husband was a young man.
I hope too that you will help keep people informed of what a devastating illness this is. There is still a lot to be learnt. and thank goodness for the internet, as no one here would be informed without it.
The physicians in the Mid west are not so informed. And of course when you mention any legal matters involving it, they tend to really clam up.

Well I am going to go back and read some more of your site.
Take care
sincerely Martha.

18th February; 2000
Dear Deidre
I am writing this evening with a little more thought.
My Dad was a pipefitter for many years. Prior to that, while in the Navy he worked on boilers on their ships. His union initiated screenings through attorneys in Florida for workers exposed to asbestos.
In May of 1996, he was diagnosed with asbestosis. For whatever reason, his personal physician did not acknowledge this, and my parents did not push at this time for further information.
I believe now that people did not take this seriously or had no clue what may follow. His Dr. never did routine xrays, yet Dad has had heart problems, severe gastric problems and had ecg's, sigmoidoscopies etc done without any concrete answers.
With what information I have gathered, I feel that his problems are related to the exposure.
May of 1999 another screening, with a pulmonary function test was done. This showed a most likely mesothelioma in the right lung. Then it was recommended for further follow-up with his doctor.
A CT scan was done, and a referral to a pulmonary specialist. The specialist advised us it was most likely mesothelioma. That there was no treatment and a needle biopsy would only benefit the law suit with a different settlement.
Dad was 80, felt he had lived his life, but wanted the biopsy for his family's benefit.
His doctor was almost hostile. I think now, more defensive, because he didn't initiate further testing in 1996.

The law firm in (......) seems to be doing a fair job. Their nurse has been helpful with all of my questions.
Of course, now the responsibility is on us to decide if we will have an autopsy done when Dad is gone; to change the settlement. Dad is pretty intent on this, so we will do what he asks.
I guess I am more angry at the ignorance of our medical society now. I feel something more should have been done 3 years ago.It might have helped Dad's quality of life.
It also amazes me that when trying to find information out months ago, there was very little. Now there are quite a few sites on the web
Maybe this means that the information is finally being told.
I do feel sad that you will not be compensated for your loss. I know that money does not replace those that we love, but it does make people more accountable for the suffering that has been caused

I greatly appreciate you sharing your story and information to those of us that are trying to get through this.
Sincerely, Martha.

3rd March; 2000

Hi Deidre,
Yes I have looked at the sites you suggested and they have been helpful. Giving me a better understanding of what really happens with this dreadful disease.
Dad is not doing very well. His right lung is filled up with fluid. The Docs are talking about aspiration, if the lasix does not help. I have read that if successful it will provide him some comfort which at this point is the most important to me, and yes would be okay for you to tell his story..
My Mom and I think that awareness is the key. Another man out of Dad's union has just been diagnosed. So, as said in the material , it is going to increase as time goes by.
I hope that you are doing well. Thank you so much for all the information.
Love Martha

8th March; 2000
DEAR DEIDRE,
TOOK DAD TO THE PULMONARY DOCTOR ON MONDAY. THEY DRAINED 3 QUARTS OF FLUID FROM HIS LUNG.. THE RELIEF WAS JUST AMAZING. AND IT WAS NOT TOO HARD ON HIM. OF COURSE THEY LIVE ABOUT 70 MILES FROM THE BIG HOSPITAL, SO THEY STAYED ALL NIGHT HERE. HE SURE FELT BETTER THIS MORNING.
THE DOC EXPLAINED THE PROCEDURE TO PUT IN THE TALC. IT IS MORE RISKY THAN WHAT WAS DONE MONDAY, MORE APT TO PUNCTURE THE LUNG. BUT HE HAS AGREED THAT WITH THIS KIND OF RELIEF HE COULD TOLERATE THE TRIP EVERY FEW WEEKS, AS THIS FLUID WILL RE-OCCUR IN 2- 3 WEEKS.

MY BROTHER TELLS ME THAT THERE ARE AROUND 5 MORE FITTERS THAT HAVE THIS; OR HAVE PASSED ON WITH IT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR CONCERN,

I AM OFF TO WORK SO WILL READ THE STORY THIS PM AND SEE THAT MOM GETS A COPY SO SHE CAN ADD MORE.
LOVE MARTHA

31st March; 2000

Dear Deidre,
Thank you so much for your concern. Dad is holding his own at this time. I guess he is not a candidate for the talcum procedure, but they did do a simple needle aspiration, removing 3 quarts of bloody fluid. He tolerated it well, and is just now, (3and 1/2 weeks later) beginnng to be short of breath. He had an xray on monday, but has not heard the results yet.
Dad does complain of being weak, and also cramping in his hands and feet. But all in all he is still taking care of himself. He is emotionally frustrated because here it is beautiful spring weather and he can not get out to enjoy it; he tires too easily.
I did read your site again and all the e-mails. I don't have many answers, but would be happy to allow other people to ventilate. That helps me more than anything. I love my dad so much, and can't bear to lose him, but I do not want him to suffer.
You would be amazed at the lack of knowledge here in the midwest about this cancer. Dr.s still say it is rare, but they are now beginning to see the long term effects of asbestos exposure. Mom said there are 5 other men in this local alone that have the disease or have already passed on.
Thank you again, I will keep you updated on the next visit .
Love Martha

6th May;2000
Dear Deidre,
Hello, i thought I would take a moment to update you on Dad's status.
Last Sunday he began having increased pain. Well we had a fast trip to ER. As of Tuesday we finally have the Hospice involved. Both mom and dad were relunctant but now seem relieved to have the extra support. He went down hill since Easter. His haemoglobin has dropped and he is nauseated, but we also think he has a urinary infection which is now being treated.
It is a very difficult time, but my daughter and brothers are all actively involved now and that helps a lot. My husband's mom had a heart attack Tuesday and had a triple by pass today. She is doing well. So with all this and work responsibilities, I feel spread thin, but I love my dad a lot and will do anything to make this easier on him.
Take care of yourself.
Love Martha

6th JUNE; 2000.
Dear Deidre,
I write this in sadness.
I lost my dad on May 15th. We were fortunate to have been able to keep him at home. Up until the 12th, he was still able to care for himself. He was so very brave. He had a stroke on the 12th. My mom and I cared for him all weekend, he kept his humour until lapsing in a coma on the 15th. It is very difficult as you know to listen to someone suffocate.
He had made peace with God, and knew his family would be ok.
The autopsy proved the mesothelioma and the law firm in Florida is pushing all the companies responsible for this, so there will be some good come from this.
My family and I are ready to start living. My mother in law had a major heart attack, bypass surgery and developed adult respiratory syndrome. The ventilator was shut off on the 30th of May, so we lost her too.
Deidre, keep working hard to keep people aware of this deadly disease. There are now 12 pipefitters in this local alone that have lost their life in the last year.
I will miss my father's humour guidance and zest for life. I will hold very fond memories of him.
Love Martha

7th June;2000.
Dear Deidre-
Yes you may put the e-mail on your site, I hope that you can continue as finally the word about this deadly disease is getting out to people.
Love Martha

Some morning soon, look to the sunrise
In it you will see my smile
And know I will always be a part of you.
I am the peace that comes before you sleep.
I am the love in your eye,
And the tears that cleanse your heart.
I am the moment when you find something new to hope for.
I am the comfort in your voice
And the joy that lies deep within your soul
I am the light you see in the face of a child.
I am the squeeze in your hand.
And the miracle of your love
Some night soon. look to a star
In it, you will find laughter again.
For this is, after all.
the reason I was here.

30th June;2000
Dear Deidre,
Sorry I have not written. Yes, I did check the site and it was fine,
The poem you sent me was really my dad over and over. I knew I would miss him so much, but I did not realize how much, I remember the happy times, and continue to remember how he set such good examples. My mother is fairing ok, I am trying to spend as much time as I can down there.
I have had a difficult time getting into the site, finally succeeded last week, the connection keeps getting timed out.
I hope all is well with you, and thanks again for all you are doing
Love martha