More beautiful lives have been taken early thanks to deadly asbestos and pure greed of those who knew that asbestos was deadly and did absolutely nothing to warn innocent people of these dangers. Instead they chose to mine and use asbestos in everything possible without warnings that asbestos exposure is deadly.
To name a few beautiful warriors Debbie, Helen, Noura and more recently Janelle. Janelle (USA) lost her life at the young age of 37 yrs! How cruel is asbestos and greed!! We must continue to globally ban asbestos, ban the mining, production and use of asbestos and also heavily subsidise assessment, removal and disposal of this terrible and deadly product before it kills many millions of innocent lives. There is no safe asbestos, asbestos kills - simple as that!
So many people think that as they have been exposed to asbestos in their lifetime that they are immune to getting an ARD (asbestos related disease)! Well unfortunately for many of these innocent and niave people it may be wrong. Usual time until diagnosis can be 10 to 40 years, and also leading up to their diagnosis they may experience strange symptoms, mine were bad migraines and chronic fatigue to name a couple of things.
Minimal exposure is possible to getting an ARD, there is no hard and fast rule that says the exposure can be minimal or maximum. Asbestos does not separate, it grabs whoever is in its deadly path and laughs in our faces as does the greed of some parasites who feed of it!
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
A brave and beautiful meso warrior's funeral 18 June 2013
Daniel (Noura's son), Anne (Noura's daughter in law and married to Daniel), Lou Williams, John (Noura's husband), Mary (Noura's daughter), Suzi (Noura's daughter), and her 2 gorgeous little grandkids next to their proud parents Daniel and Anne. A beautiful photo with Noura in the front pictured. RIP beautiful warrior, you are truly missed so much.
Bernie Banton Foundation via Asbestos In The News - A Bernie Banton Foundation Social Media Network Page
Lou Williams is a legend, no not in her own mind, but around the world, as an asbestos cancer survivor, supporter of many adversely affected by exposure to asbestos, and an awareness advocate.
All at the Bernie Banton Foundation are proud to call Lou, not only part of our team, but a friend!
Karen and I call her KS ('Kindred Spirit' - As she was also to my late, beloved Julie), but she is far more than that, she is a very special person.
(The above is what Rod Smith and Karen Banton have written about me - I am truly touched by their beautiful words.) To me all meso warriors are legends, heroes and beautiful people who through no fault of our own have this cancer and just get on with our lives, and try to help others so that they do not get this deadly cancer.
A train journey of 2 hrs to the other side of Melbourne where Rod Smith and Karen Banton (Bernie Banton Foundation) were waiting for me. This beautiful meso warrior who lost her life to deadly asbestos on 14 June 2013 aged 57 yrs, her funeral was held at the Greek Orthodox Church, Dandenong and was well attended by family and many friends who loved her very much. We were priviledged to be there too to help celebrate Noura's life that was cut short by deadly asbestos through no fault of her own. Her exposure was as a small child.
After the service and buriel there was a peace offering luncheon back at the church. We were welcomed by Noura's beautiful family including her husband, John, children Suzi, Daniel, Mary and beautiful daughter in law Anne and grandkids to sit at their table, eat some beautiful food and to give thanks and celebrate Noura's life.
To see all the love in that room was just amazing. Noura touched so many lives. She was a very vibrant and beautiful lady. Noura may you be cocooned in peace and free of pain.
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Voice for asbestos victims - my story, Tasmanian Examiner newspaper
http://www.examiner.com.au/story/1575188/voice-for-asbestos-victims/?cs=95#
After 10 years of chemotherapy and surgery, doctors have told Mrs Williams that she should focus on her quality of life, not quantity.
The 58-year old, who divides her time between Greens Beach and central Victoria, has been to at least 60 funerals for people who have died from asbestos-related diseases.
She can't explain why her own case of mesothelioma hasn't killed her yet. But she says she will raise awareness for asbestos and its dangers until her last breath.
Mrs Williams's advocacy role with the Bernie Banton Foundation has taken her across the globe, her campaign giving a voice to thousands of victims and families.
In March, she was a guest speaker at the international Asbestos Disease Awareness Organisation forum, travelling to the US, despite finding it difficult to walk up a set of stairs.
Mrs Williams is also lobbying the federal government to remove asbestos from houses and public buildings.
She said her goal was to see the removal, storage and transport of the hazardous material heavily subsidised for homeowners and renovators.
``Medically, we are well aware of what asbestos can do, but the general public is still so blaise,'' she said. ``Things like home renovations - no one wants pay a big fee for someone to come and inspect and remove asbestos.
``People say it's all hype and hysteria - but the reality is, you only need minimal exposure to be affected.''
Mrs Williams said her first contact with asbestos was as a small child in the 1950s, when her father built her a cubbyhouse from leftover fibro sheeting.
In the 1970s, she unknowingly worked at a Melbourne office that was riddled with the toxic material.
For three years she breathed in invisible asbestos particles dislodged from the suspended ceilings and insulator cables.
``Back then no one gave asbestos a second thought,'' she said. ``We just didn't know. But already it has been too late for thousands and thousands of people, who were all exposed without being aware.''
High-profile court cases throughout the 1980s set a precedent for civil damages to be awarded to sufferers of asbestos-related diseases by their former employers.
Mrs Williams's father succumbed to mesothelioma in 1985, aged 54, after years in the plastering trade.
``He went down fast, and it was a very painful death,'' she said.
Throughout the 1990s, Mrs Williams herself suffered unexplained fatigue and headaches, as well as unusual swelling in the abdominal area.
But it wasn't until 2003 when advanced scans revealed tumours in her stomach and diaphragm.
``Even then, mesothelioma was relatively unknown - my doctor could not even pronounce it,'' she said. Mrs Williams was told she had two to three months to live if her treatment was not successful.
A marathon 18 sessions of chemotherapy put the disease temporarily at bay, but in 2009, it returned to her right lung.
She endured three more surgeries and 12 more sessions of chemotherapy.
In September last year she learned that her left lung and diaphragm were affected.
``I've been told there is nothing more that can be done - no doctor will touch me,'' she said. ``I'm not sure how much time I've got left.''
This week, Mrs Williams will travel to Melbourne to explore a radical radiotherapy option - one that would be painful and cause irreparable damage to her organs.
But she said she was determined to keep fighting.
``There are so many people who have not been as lucky as I am.
``There is still a lot to do. I want to be a voice for people.''
Voice for asbestos victims
Lou Williams says she will raise awareness for asbestos and its dangers until her last breath. Picture: WILL SWAN
After 10 years of chemotherapy and surgery, doctors have told Mrs Williams that she should focus on her quality of life, not quantity.
The 58-year old, who divides her time between Greens Beach and central Victoria, has been to at least 60 funerals for people who have died from asbestos-related diseases.
She can't explain why her own case of mesothelioma hasn't killed her yet. But she says she will raise awareness for asbestos and its dangers until her last breath.
Mrs Williams's advocacy role with the Bernie Banton Foundation has taken her across the globe, her campaign giving a voice to thousands of victims and families.
In March, she was a guest speaker at the international Asbestos Disease Awareness Organisation forum, travelling to the US, despite finding it difficult to walk up a set of stairs.
Mrs Williams is also lobbying the federal government to remove asbestos from houses and public buildings.
She said her goal was to see the removal, storage and transport of the hazardous material heavily subsidised for homeowners and renovators.
``Medically, we are well aware of what asbestos can do, but the general public is still so blaise,'' she said. ``Things like home renovations - no one wants pay a big fee for someone to come and inspect and remove asbestos.
``People say it's all hype and hysteria - but the reality is, you only need minimal exposure to be affected.''
Mrs Williams said her first contact with asbestos was as a small child in the 1950s, when her father built her a cubbyhouse from leftover fibro sheeting.
In the 1970s, she unknowingly worked at a Melbourne office that was riddled with the toxic material.
For three years she breathed in invisible asbestos particles dislodged from the suspended ceilings and insulator cables.
``Back then no one gave asbestos a second thought,'' she said. ``We just didn't know. But already it has been too late for thousands and thousands of people, who were all exposed without being aware.''
High-profile court cases throughout the 1980s set a precedent for civil damages to be awarded to sufferers of asbestos-related diseases by their former employers.
Mrs Williams's father succumbed to mesothelioma in 1985, aged 54, after years in the plastering trade.
``He went down fast, and it was a very painful death,'' she said.
Throughout the 1990s, Mrs Williams herself suffered unexplained fatigue and headaches, as well as unusual swelling in the abdominal area.
But it wasn't until 2003 when advanced scans revealed tumours in her stomach and diaphragm.
``Even then, mesothelioma was relatively unknown - my doctor could not even pronounce it,'' she said. Mrs Williams was told she had two to three months to live if her treatment was not successful.
A marathon 18 sessions of chemotherapy put the disease temporarily at bay, but in 2009, it returned to her right lung.
She endured three more surgeries and 12 more sessions of chemotherapy.
In September last year she learned that her left lung and diaphragm were affected.
``I've been told there is nothing more that can be done - no doctor will touch me,'' she said. ``I'm not sure how much time I've got left.''
This week, Mrs Williams will travel to Melbourne to explore a radical radiotherapy option - one that would be painful and cause irreparable damage to her organs.
But she said she was determined to keep fighting.
``There are so many people who have not been as lucky as I am.
``There is still a lot to do. I want to be a voice for people.''
Olivia Newton-John Cancer & Wellness Centre radiation appt and catch up with Amanda, Diane and Briony
This morning at the Olivia Newton-John Cancer & Wellness Centre for my appt with the radiation specialist I was lucky to catch up with Diane (a beautiful meso warrior) who was also there for her followup appt with her 2 daughters Amanda and Briony. A good opportunity to grab a photo. Amanda Lee, Diane, Lou and Briony Duff-Tytler.
I
had my appt this morning with the radical radiologist, and basically
because my tumours are starting to form up/pleural/heart and peritoneal
and close to liver/around heart ... he is thinking twice about giving me
any radiation. A CT scan/round table talk with my oncologist and
medical team to discuss if he can do anything .... . There is also a
slight possibility of a phase 1 clinical trial ... .
Friday, June 14, 2013
Saying goodbye to a beautiful lady who lost her life to mesothelioma in Melbourne, Australia on 14 June 2013
It is with sadness and sorrow that I write this blog today and say goodbye to a beautiful lady who lost her battle with this insidious cancer last night surrounded by her family who loved her so much.
She was a very special lady who touched the lives of everyone that she came into contact with and will be missed so much especially by her family and close friends. Her life was cut short thanks to the greed of asbestos. All it took was minimal exposure many years ago for her to be diagnosed not so many months ago with the deadly and aggressive mesothelioma.
A true mesothelioma warrior in every sense.
Her daughter, Suzi and daughter in law, Anne have been her wonderful angels on the internet seeking out support, information and guidance then passing on to their beautiful mum all of this information so that she has been kept in the knowledge she was always surrounded by love, hope, strength and peace.
RIP our beautiful brave warrior. We love and miss you very much. xxx
She was a very special lady who touched the lives of everyone that she came into contact with and will be missed so much especially by her family and close friends. Her life was cut short thanks to the greed of asbestos. All it took was minimal exposure many years ago for her to be diagnosed not so many months ago with the deadly and aggressive mesothelioma.
A true mesothelioma warrior in every sense.
Her daughter, Suzi and daughter in law, Anne have been her wonderful angels on the internet seeking out support, information and guidance then passing on to their beautiful mum all of this information so that she has been kept in the knowledge she was always surrounded by love, hope, strength and peace.
RIP our beautiful brave warrior. We love and miss you very much. xxx
Monday, June 10, 2013
A beautiful warrior now an angel watching over us - Debbie Brewer
In the UK on Sunday a beautiful meso warrior Debbie Brewer lost her life to this deadly and aggressive cancer Mesothelioma caused by asbestos exposure. Our Debbie was loved by so many and will be missed deeply. Please when you need to find an inner strength to cope with this sad news, look up to the sky and Debbie will be smiling down at you. We can then smile back at her knowing that Deb is now free from pain. It does not mean that we will ever forget and forgive why she lost her life through no fault of her own! Our Debs lost her life thanks to the greed of asbestos! Debs may you honey be at peace and we will continue the fight to ban asbestos globally and make the world asbestos free!
We love you Ms Brewer xxx
We love you Ms Brewer xxx
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
My mesothelioma is having a respite holiday in Tassie!
We have been here for 3 weeks now and I am feeling very relaxed and so it my meso. Beautiful walks along the beach, lots of reading and pottering in the garden ... . Drives in the beautiful countryside to Launceston (Cataract gorge walking) and Hobart (Mona art gallery) plus catching up with friends etc. Visiting our favourite cafes ... with views of the Tamar river.
Go back to the bad pain I was experiencing prior to my trip with Bernie Banton Foundation to Washington for the ADAO annual asbestos conference when it was a case of quality over quantity of life and trying to get a balance of this through my mind (mental and meditation) and medication. I was so glad that I went to America, at the time I felt if it was the last thing that I ever did then I had achieved so much by just being there and hopefully helping put Australia on the map with Bernie Banton Foundation as to what we are achieving here with awareness, support, research and advocacy. I cannot thank BBF for giving me this opportunity.
Today we lost another beautiful warrior in the UK - my heart goes out to his family. May he be at peace surrounded by beautiful love.
So many living with an ARD (asbestos related disease) are not travelling well at the moment - my heart goes out to them. We cocoon them with love, strength and hope.
Today we drove to Launceston, walked around Cataract Gorge, had a drink there in the sun and watched the peacocks and their beautiful feathers.
I am off to bed - tomorrow breakfast at Beauty Point overlooking the Tamar River.
Go back to the bad pain I was experiencing prior to my trip with Bernie Banton Foundation to Washington for the ADAO annual asbestos conference when it was a case of quality over quantity of life and trying to get a balance of this through my mind (mental and meditation) and medication. I was so glad that I went to America, at the time I felt if it was the last thing that I ever did then I had achieved so much by just being there and hopefully helping put Australia on the map with Bernie Banton Foundation as to what we are achieving here with awareness, support, research and advocacy. I cannot thank BBF for giving me this opportunity.
Today we lost another beautiful warrior in the UK - my heart goes out to his family. May he be at peace surrounded by beautiful love.
So many living with an ARD (asbestos related disease) are not travelling well at the moment - my heart goes out to them. We cocoon them with love, strength and hope.
Today we drove to Launceston, walked around Cataract Gorge, had a drink there in the sun and watched the peacocks and their beautiful feathers.
I am off to bed - tomorrow breakfast at Beauty Point overlooking the Tamar River.
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