Suzanne, or as she prefers to "Sue", joined our mesothelioma community through Facebook.
Through our interactions with her on the social media site, we learned about the loss of her husband, SMOE, mesothelioma, and how he motivated to awareness of the deadly disease.
She now spends time talking to students in secondary schools about asbestos and the deadly consequences of inhaling the toxic substance. Sue also decided to target commercial and residential construction where the workers are more likely to come into contact with asbestos through occupational exposure. His last name is withheld on privacy.
Learn more about the Travel Sue with mesothelioma. We hope it inspires you as much as it inspired us.
What was your personal experience with mesothelioma?
SMOE My husband had had a bad chest cold last spring. He went to the doctor and said there were many I was 'crud' going around. After a while, it seemed more of this. Then, with the high humidity of the summer, he began experiencing shortness of breath. At the end of July, which had worsened. In the emergency room, the doctor asked us if we knew what was mesothelioma, or if my husband had worked around asbestos.
15th August 2011, we were told by a pulmonary physician who was confirmed mesothelioma after completion fluids and tissue biopsies. lung SMOE collapsed, and the diaphragm had been invaded as well as having several other tumors in her lungs. In just 66 short days later October 21, 2011, after a major radical surgery to remove the lining of his heart and lungs, debulking of tumors, and the partial removal of the membrane, he died at home. He was 52 years old. Since his death, I made it my mission to learn more about exposure safety procedures to asbestos and try to make others aware of the dangers of this silent but deadly killer.
How has your experience changed mesothelioma you and your perspective on life?
It made me so sad to know that this could have been prevented by the workplace. My point is that companies prefer to run the risk of exposing innocent hard working people (and their families) that the rate of low pay compared to pay for the asbestos abatement and removal suitable. A new purpose in life for me is to do everything possible in the memory of my husband and make other aware of the dangers and how to reduce their potential exposure to asbestos. It was September 1st very difficult months for me and my son. We are surrounded by precious memories over the years with SMOE.
I try to take things one day at a time and remain positive, but I still have days that are hard to get through at best. Life is a precious thing and instead of being negative about how it affected my family, I am trying to establish memories with Iowa City Hospice, and the possibilities of scholarships to high school local in memory of my husband.
Why are you seeking to bring asbestos and mesothelioma awareness ??
to honor the memory of my husband and hopefully prevent another wrongful death against a person exposed to the dangers of asbestos. I have to feel there is a reason why this happened to our family, and I am responsible for transmitting information to those whose lives can be saved with more understanding and awareness of the dangers of asbestos. Then the death of SMOE has not been in vain.
How are you trying to raise awareness?
Although my husband had worked in the construction industry since graduating from high school in 1977, he did not know that asbestos could kill him. He never received any training for the handling of asbestos or withdrawal until the early 190s I specifically asked him the day of his diagnosis he knew and he said that he knew it was "bad for you" but did not realize it would kill a person. This led me to believe that there is not enough education or awareness there. Certainly we all may have been exposed to low levels of asbestos if we were in buildings or homes built before 1980 or more.
I aims to target high school students and business schools. If I can make a person aware of the seriousness of the handling of asbestos and exposure in the memory of my husband, then I will have achieved what I am doing. The families of construction workers have no idea of the risks that are taken home to this deadly mineral, and more people need to understand that. In the fall of 2012, I will make a series of presentations at the workshop of the local high school, commercial and residential classes. I'd be willing to talk everywhere that has a need to make people aware of the exposure to asbestos. It harms not only the worker, but the family is more likely to be diagnosed as well! I'm not sure most people are still conscious.
Do you have tips, advice or words of encouragement for those dealing with mesothelioma?
This is a difficult question to answer. Personally, we did not have many options, but I encourage you, if you have been exposed or think you have been exposed to help. I think the first thing is to understand that asbestos should not be handled or disturbed at all unless he is a professional who is certified in asbestos removal. Generally, it will take a specialized mesothelioma doctor, so be prepared to travel to find the best health care options in treating your condition. Our local doctor said he had never seen before this diagnosis and he doubted he would see him again in his years of practice.
closure What thoughts would you leave us?
I am interested to hear of other families and how they dealt with the consequences of mesothelioma. It is so difficult to find support groups that can really understand this type of diagnosis, and I am grateful for these connections I made through Facebook and Asbestos.com, it shows that our situation is unique. I feel less alone.
We thank Sue to share her story with us and the mesothelioma community and we hope that this has had an impact on you. Would you like to share your story? Give Sue few words of encouragement? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook.
