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Chemotherapy gave us a Gift of Time By Lorraine Kember

In December 1999, my beloved husband of 32 years was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma and given a prognosis of 3 to 9 months. He was a former Wittenoom child who at the tender age of seven lived in Wittenoom for period of seven short months. Tragically it was long enough for him to inhale the deadly blue asbestos dust that would ultimately take his life.

As Brian’s disease progressed, the tumor pressed against his esophagus making it almost impossible for him to swallow. For a short period of time, dilatation was given to stretch the opening, thereby enabling him to manage a pureed diet. However when these dilations were no longer successful, we were told that chemotherapy was the only option. It was painfully obvious that unless chemotherapy could shrink the tumor, Brian’s death would be imminent.

Although we had no choice, the thought of chemotherapy was frightening. We had heard stories of extreme nausea and hair loss, and the added fear of the unknown intensified our suffering. There were many questions. How would it affect us? Would it work? How long will it go on? Will Brian ever be able to eat normally again?

For Brian, chemotherapy was never promised as a cure but as a trial, offered to him in the hope of shrinking the tumor, thereby enabling him to eat and drink and hopefully, to afford him “quality of life” for the remainder of his life.

Brian began chemotherapy in January 2001; his reaction to the first round of treatment was dramatic; he vomited continuously and was unable to retain his oral medication and needed to be hospitalized. Unable He remained in hospital for a short time during which the Pain Management Specialist attached to the Palliative Care Unit was able to bring his symptoms under control. The medication he prescribed effectively controlled Brian’s nausea and when taken prior to further chemotherapy sessions, prevented further bouts of nausea from occurring.

Without fear of side effects, Brian welcomed his chemotherapy sessions and the resulting benefits of the treatment soon became obvious. By the end of the second round of chemotherapy it was obvious that the treatment had shrunk the tumor; the changes in his condition and disposition were amazing; he felt and looked so much better, was able to eat meat and enjoy food again.

I could not get over the change in him.

Excerpt from my diary: March 2001

Brian is feeling so much better. He is able to eat meat and enjoy food again. Chemotherapy HAS shrunk the tumor. I cannot get over the change in him. It is a precious gift and I am so grateful for it…

I realized at this time that despite all of our fears regarding chemotherapy, it had worked well for us. It had given us a precious gift of time. A special “time out” from the pain and suffering of it all. There was quality of life and we were determined to live it to the full.

*Explanatory note - p; Wittenoom is a town in Western Australia. It used to be an asbestos mining town. Many, many families who had lived there have lost loved ones due to them inhaling the deadly asbestos dust. The mining company provided houses for the families of the men who worked at the mine and they put asbestos tailings around the houses to beautify the town. The children played in this deadly dust and as a result they later became ill with asbestosis or mesothelioma.

It can take up to 45 years after inhalation of the dust for it to become lethal. This was the case with my husband. He lived in Wittenoom for only seven months when he was seven years old – and 45 years later he was diagnosed with mesothelioma and given a prognosis of 3 to 9 months. Prior to the onset of his disease he was a strong and virile man who rarely had a sick day in his life. This added to the shock of his sudden illness and subsequent death from mesothelioma.

Millions of people all over the world have been exposed to hazardous asbestos, many of whom will suffer illness and/or death as a result, yet to date; only 28 countries have banned asbestos... Even if we successfully banned asbestos today, from every country in the world, disease and death due to the inhalation of asbestos dust will continue for more than five decades.

Article written by: Lorraine Kember Author: Inspirational/Motivational Speaker. [email protected]

Lorraine writes and speaks from her experience of caring for her terminally ill husband. Her books “Lean on Me” Cancer through a Carer’s Eyes and “Tear Drops” A Journey of Grief, Healing and Hope - told through poetry, are written in the hope of bringing inspiration and strength to others. “Lean on Me”, which includes insight and discussion on: Pain Management, Symptom control, Coping with grief – plus excerpts and poems from Lorraine’s personal diary, is highly recommended by the Cancer Councils and Palliative Care Organisations world wide. Lorraine’s books are not available in bookstores. For full details, Doctor’s recommendations and Reviews -visit her website http://www.cancerthroughacarerseyes.jkwh.com

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