Asbestosis

[dangrade]

My consultant has informed me I’m at the ‘end stage of asbestosis’ but wouldn’t or couldn’t provide me with a rough estimate as to how long I have left on this planet, any info would be welcome

Mike

[sassy59]

That’s a difficult question to answer I’m afraid. Very sorry to hear of your consultants diagnosis but he can’t really say how long you have left. Everyone is different. I do hope you have a good quality of life and will be around for a long time to come. Very best wishes to you. Xxx

[Katinka46]

I’m sorry to hear about your diagnosis and prognosis. I assume this happened as a result of exposure to asbestos? It is very hard. I hope you have good support from friends, family and doctors.K x

[Hidden]

They can't tell you how long you have left because they don't know.

[Badbessie]

I am sorry to hear your news. To be honest I doubt the doctor could give you answer as we are all so individual and so are conditions. I hope you can make the best of the time you have.

[Annie31 in reply to Badbessie]

Oh, some can and they do! Give you answers I mean! I have Mesothelioma, cancer of the lining of the lung due to asbestos exposure and emphysema. I was given a prognosis of 5/6 months without treatment or 6/7 months with, I kid you not! That was almost three years ago - not very precise was it? Rather bears out your comment and actually lockdowns and restrictions have been more damaging to my health than the illness - I was doing really well up until that point! I've refused to allow this disease to define who I am and I've found that has worked for me!

[Badbessie in reply to Annie31]

Lol I love your attitude. My dear uncle was given a year and four years later was still collecting his great niece and nephew from school. Working in the caring profession I could give many other examples. One thing you cannot quantify is the human spirit.

[Annie31 in reply to Badbessie]

I now try to survive from one goal to the next - last weekend our Golden Wedding (rather nice I thought to go out on a nice round number!) and gender reveal of my new granddaughter to be! Beginning of October my eldest grandsons 18th!

[cofdrop-UK]

Hi Mike,

Sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I wonder if you might want to speak to the nurses at BLF. Whilst I’m sure they will Not know any more about estimates, any more than your consultant can, they will be able to chat with you about asbestosis which might be both helpful and informative for you.

Sending love and the very best of wishes cx

[Hidden]

Do you feel as if you are going to die soon? I don’t think you do because you were asking about a coach tour just recently, so just forget about the subject and get on with your life. There’s loads of information available on how to make yourself comfortable whilst enjoying yourself and you can write and tell me I was right in ten years time and I’ll invite you to my 100th birthday party. 🥳

[Tia4209 in reply to Hidden]

Such a lovely reply ❤️

[Aingeful in reply to Hidden]

Put me down for your 100th as well Don!!😃 My job before I retired was a sheltered housing warden. I was very thrilled when one of my tenants ( a very grumpy old lady ) had her 100th. She was showing me her letter from the Queen. She was very unimpressed and said " she's not been bothered with me before,so she doesn't need to start now "😀

[peege]

I'm sorry to hear this Mike. I guess too that they couldn't give you a timescale because everyone is so different and it depends on other health factors like how much you can exercise, healthy weight, diet and the support of loved ones.Cofdrop has a great idea in contacting the helpline. 03000 030555 uk office hours.

Very best wishes to you. Peege

[leo60]

Hi Mike, I know nothing of these things, but you have already had some great advice. I just wanted to add my best wishes and hope I get invited to Don’s 100th party as well! 😘 Live every moment xx

[johnderby]

Hi Mike. Sorry about your diagnosis. Sometimes Doctors just can't put a time frame on how long we have. We just have to live the life that we have to the full. Do the things that you enjoy and savour every minute of it. Good luck 👍

[B0xermad]

I have a friend in the same situation he has gone above and beyond the expectation given by years,so have a bucket list do everything you ever wanted and enjoy your life thats left and smile every day 😊

[Eastend555]

They are just doctors they give us their opinion and we either take heed or we don,tTwo years ago my wife was diagnosed with lung cancer

The Surgeon wanted her to have chemo and radiotherapy.

She said to him she was only just over 6stone she was that when we married

He said it could be just months but her decision gave us 2 years

You just dont know my friend

[MoyB]

I am sorry to hear your recent diagnosis.

A friend of ours who was diagnosed with mesothelioma (asbestos related) lived a pretty full life right up until the end. He lived a number of years at 'end stage' and, as he enjoyed walking, he raised a lot of money by walking the Coastal Path for charity. His sister walked with him and they both took their dogs. The dogs needed more rest than he did!

Something the pandemic has taught me is that none of us knows how long we've got on this planet! Two years ago, who would have predicted what was ahead of us?

If you wake up in the morning, you're alive! Make the most of it. An asteroid might hit - or the bus we all dread might actually run us over. There are many things out there that could get us before our chest condition does.

I think it's probably a good thing for us all to put our affairs in order - whatever age we are and however ill or well we are. So maybe sort out what needs attending to and then just make the best of each day.

If you're having what I call a 'Do Nothing' day, just accept it and hope for a better day tomorrow. Don't beat yourself up about what you can and can't do - just make the best of what you have.

Easy for me to say, eh?

I hope you keep as well possible and you manage to tick some things off your bucket list.

xx Moy

[stillmovin in reply to MoyB]

Those are wonderful encouraging and comforting thoughts and I think they are helpful to us all, including dangrade, I am sure.

[MoyB in reply to stillmovin]

Thank you. Xx Moy

[Aingeful]

Very difficult to predict! Was it Marcus Aurelias who said, live each day as if it was your last? It means ,live in the present and enjoy what each day brings. Easier said than done? I wouldn't like to know to be honest.

[BreatheasyBe]

Sorry to hear of your diagnoses. I hope you prove the medical science wrong and continue to enjoy your life for many years to come

[HollyBoyd]

Hi dangrade. Lots of great advice from your friends here. Take a day at a time and enjoy , don't dwell on the future . Wishing you all the very best xxx

[Bkin]

Hi Mike

I don't think anyone can provide you with an answer to the average expiry date for someone in your position. I would say though a lot can go toward focussing on the pleasures of being alive and you may well be a wonder to the medical profession on staying alive I hope you have a few good enjoyable years ahead left to live.

You would of course need to assess how you feel in yourself with having been confronted with this news, and what you feel are the kind of things you need help and support with, emotional, physical etc also how wild you can be in living whilst at the same time being kind to your body and assisting your current health situation so that you can do the best thing for you and your own body's needs.

I would ask to be referred to the hospital counselling service for patients with Asbestosis and request further discussion with your doctor regarding, safe activities for you. Certainly the BLF helpline may be able to advise you further in these situations.

blf.org.uk/support-for-you/...

I know it can be difficult the end of life stuff, I've still not stepped out in that direction to organise my own details even though I know I should.

Wishing easy exchanges with whatever businesses you need to do at this time and for those thoughts you turn your mind to for enjoying time with family and friend, may all these be special for you.

My heart felt good wishes to you and yours (and please do drop by once in a while) just to let us know you are still a medical wonder unfolding.

Huge love to you

BK

[Caspiana]

Hi Mike, 😊👋

Oh goodness, if I was to listen and abide by my doctor's prognosis I would be ash in an urn now. Nobody but nobody can estimate how long we will live anyway. Doctors are great statisticians , but we are not statistics or a number. Do not think of heaven yet friend, there is too much bounty and beauty of nature you have yet to enjoy in the 🌎 world. 🍁🍃🌾🍂🍁🌾

Best wishes,

Cas xx 🙋