Melanie Ball is a student at the University of Phoenix. She is the first winner of the scholarship Asbestos.com Spring 2015 Essay. Read the test of the second place winner.
Richard Lloyd Barker was born on January 18, 1948. As the oldest of six siblings, he established himself as an older brother feed.
US Army drafted him in the Vietnam war, but he was blessed to avoid combat. He later served as an officer of the military police for two years, stationed in Germany.
After serving his country, Richard returned to work at Jefferson Smurfit, a paper mill in Lockland, Ohio. He worked there for 22 years. He made his way up to an industrial scale, may supervise more than 50 men in society.
In September 1992, Barker began to experience health problems. Doctors diagnosed him with mesothelioma in October 1992 and was given a prognosis of three months. He fought the disease beyond what the prognosis as a warrior, but he lost the battle after 13 months.
I am proud to call my father this powerful warrior. I was only 14 when my father died 4 November 1993. He was only 45.
The loss was my deepest sorrow. In the process of his death, Dad taught me to live. I work hard to provide for my family, as he did. I strive every day of my life to be the woman that my father taught me to be.
This is why it is so important to raise awareness about mesothelioma and asbestos.
Workers are not the only ones affected by asbestos
Asbestos is a toxic substance, and it is the main cause of mesothelioma.
Currently, there are fewer products on the market that use asbestos, but it was once widely used, particularly in the automotive industry and construction, as well as different types of mills, similar to the one where my father worked.
Many who suffer from mesothelioma are men because they were most likely those employed in factories and plants that used products containing asbestos.
However, the families of those who are at risk of developing mesothelioma by secondary exposure. The asbestos fibers or dust hanging on the clothes of workers often contaminated clothing, furniture and carpets at home ?? placing their loved ones in danger.
There is hope for mesothelioma patients
Mesothelioma, once carried a death sentence with a quick turnaround. But recent medical innovations and scientific studies report promising treatments that extend life expectancy and improve quality of life.
The exploration of treatment options such as radiation, chemotherapy and surgery can offer hope to the warriors fighting mesothelioma and support teams that stand behind them.
cancer treatment options are always becoming improved versions of traditional treatments and new treatments. Clinical trials are where researchers develop and test new therapies.
Complementary and alternative treatments are also gaining popularity among patients who do not qualify for traditional treatments or are looking for therapies with fewer serious side effects. Some of these treatment options include antioxidant therapy. Other alternative therapies include acupuncture, massage therapy, spiritual healing, and meditation.
The overall objective of alternative therapy is to cure the immune system of a person ?? s, giving them natural tools to fight against the disease. Although the effectiveness of these methods is closely watched in the past, an increasing number of patients use alternative therapies as part of their
more traditional treatments. Some people use only.
Making a case for banning asbestos
With constant innovation processing, science begins offering measures increasingly combative that can help mesothelioma warriors in their conquest to defeat this disease.
The eradication of asbestos would undoubtedly end mesothelioma. Until that day, when the world is free of asbestos, there are those who will die from this terrible disease.
More important for mesothelioma warriors, is the family support team, friends, relatives and medical professionals willing to go to battle with them. With developments constantly changing in treatments for this disease, not mesothelioma warrior dies in vain.
