Sadly in September of this year Richard, who was a four and a half year survivor of mesothelioma, passed away. Paul and I met Richard and his wife Jackie at the Papworth Mesothelioma Support Group. We will always remember Richards strength, positivity and most of all his sense of humour.
The initiative of winter walk is a simple one! 100 steps for 100 pennies. 100 steps might not sound like a lot, but for someone with a lung condition like mesothelioma 100 steps can be an impossible task. Mesothelioma can leave a sufferer breathless and tired during only the simplest of tasks.
This year, at the request of Jackie, my husband (Paul) and I are going to be running the campaign.
Paul is a mesothelioma survivor of three years. He was diagnosed in 2012 at the age of 34. In a nut shell Paul's disease was found by accident while the hospital were investigating him for something unrelated. A few CT scans later and one needle biopsy and Paul was diagnosed with Mesothelioma. Following diagnosis, Paul had more scans, a VATs biopsy and then a major debulking operation. Within a month of his operation he was advised to start chemotherapy which finished in April 2013. Since then, and confirmed by two and now three monthly checks, Paul has been stable.
Paul is not your average mesothelioma patient. His age, good health and no history of asbestos exposure make him unusual.
We are a young family with our son who, at diagnosis, had yet to turn two. He has just turned five.
Since completing treatment it has been both Paul and my hope that we would be able to raise awareness of mesothelioma with our 'out of the ordinary' story. We hope that heading up the Meso 100 Campaign this year will add to this hope.
So please, next time you go out for a walk, count those 100 steps, think of us and donate your 100 pennies!
Text SWPX78 £1 to 70070
Find us on Facebook - Meso 100 Campaign
Follow us on Twitter @meso100campaign
We wish you all a Merry Christmas and a very Happy 2016!
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