My story started way back in 1968, though I didn’t know it at the time.  My first husband and I had our first home built and, of course, we did some of the work ourselves to save money such as cleaning up and painting. We thought, like many others that asbestos was very safe. Of course James Hardy knew that it was dangerous but money rules. In 1975 we built our second home and again did quite a lot of the work ourselves.  There was asbestos in this home as well. A disaster just waiting to happen but we had no idea.

Fast forward to November 9th 2015 and after having some breathing difficulties and being diagnosed with asthma, I was diagnosed with Mesothelioma. By this time I had been divorced and remarried to my present husband. I cannot describe the shock of being told I had Mesothelioma. Now we started the rollercoaster ride of education about chemo and starting chemo all within a few days.  I cannot describe the emotional upheaval and the feeling of utter devastation.

Now 2 years down the track I am still doing well. I have had several stays in hospital because of infection.  One was for a problem with my heart and I was in 4 times for cellulitis. I tend to get very tired and lack energy while I am on chemo and maybe get a bit grumpy. Between treatment, scans, blood tests etc, Mesothelioma seems to rule our lives. 

Fortunately, I have great support for family and friends and from people I have met on facebook who also have Mesothelioma. I did successfully sue James Hardy, but nothing can compensate for the loss of your health. Everyone needs to be aware of the dangers of asbestos and not think it will not happen to me. I didn’t work with it on a day to day basis but it still got me. It doesn’t take much and the symptoms take many years to show up. I will never, never, never give up!

Cheers
Denise Titchmarsh