Asbestos ruined health, not spirit

Helen, 72:

TWENTY years ago found us in early retirement in our home state Tasmania.

We began looking for somewhere warm to call home.

Ipswich was chosen, plus it was closer to our children.

We have no desire to go back to the cold.

Our life has had its ups and downs, just like anyone else.

But staying in control has allowed us to enjoy being who we are - happily married for 54 years.

Five years ago I was diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease - I believe it was from washing my husband's work clothes.

The first sign was club fingers. A chest x-ray was taken, showing cancer in the lung.

This was treated very successfully with radiation.

There are four different types of asbestos-related diseases, with mesothelioma the really nasty one.

None of it is curable. It's all horrible. Avoid and prevent is the only answer.

This thing can't be conquered so you've just got to get on with your life.

Some people have no idea they have the disease; they may have shortness of breath and loss of energy.

The Ipswich Asbestos Support Group got under way about eight years ago.

Brisbane is too far away when you're not well.

We have been members since it began.

The need for such a group became apparent with the steady increase of asbestos-related diseases being diagnosed.

A cuppa and chat, with exchange of information, can ease one's mind when faced with this disease.

The road is not so lonely when walking with others.

Our family and friends, each in their own way, give us strength. Plus Stuart Diver, the sole survivor of the 1997 Thredbo landslide. We learnt from his lessons in survival.

Our main interest is caravanning. We do this at every chance.

Meeting people, seeing amazing little towns and always learning. Never a dull moment out there on the road.

Rex, 74:

I was devastated when diagnosed with asbestosis in 1996, after having an x-ray of my chest for an unrelated problem.

The pleura (lining of the lung) gets affected and sets like concrete, squeezing the life out of the lung.

I was a builder. Back in those days, houses were all lined with asbestos.

There needs to be more information out there.

It's a hideous thing - you only need to breathe in one fibre of asbestos and you can get it.

However, by staying in the moment and in full control, you can do almost anything.

Phone 1800 776 412 for information about asbestos-related diseases and the Ipswich Asbestos Support Group.