We say farewell to 2 Aussie warriors who have lost their lives to deadly mesothelioma.

You are a wonderful teacher of life. You remind me that …

The above verse is so true!  My beautiful friend Linda Reinstein Co-Founder at Global Ban Asbestos Network (GBAN) and Co-Founder/CEO at Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization (ADAO) wrote this on my timeline/facebook page today.

I always look for rainbows and for stars in life!  All we have is the moment we are in!  Most people when they are younger think they have their life ahead of them … it is true however when you are faced with an aggressive cancer such as mesothelioma, death stares back at you every day and you live life in the moment of time!  I don’t plan too much in the future because I do not know what it holds for me and to be honest, I have come to accept this and just live my life enjoying each and every day.  I look for the rainbows in each day and the stars when darkness such as tonight of the passing of 2 beautiful warriors who have lost their life to asbestos greed.  Both Aussies living with mesothelioma, their pain and suffering has come to an end and they are now resting in peace - their lives cut short thanks to deadly mesothelioma.  Their families are torn apart - they have to live without their loved ones/their soulmates, dads, grandfathers … . 

Nothing halts mesothelioma in its tracks …. yes treatment is all palliative … surgery, chemo, radiation and now immunotherapy all help to keep it at bay for a little while, shrinkage of tumours and stability we aim for and quality of life while living with mesothelioma.  However when it rears its ugly head and takes a hold their is no stopping it!  It is brutal, aggressive, painful and deadly.

Keytruda has shown promise with mesothelioma and other rare cancers, so why is it so hard to get it fast tracked on to our PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) in Australia?  It has shown that it can work in melanoma cancer and has been on the PBS since September 2015 for this cancer only.  In America it has been approved on the FDA for lung cancer … surely mesothelioma is the next step forward for Keytruda to be approved!  My petition with over 7,000 signatures is gaining momentum and my appointment with the health minister, the Honourable Sussan Ley is about to take place.  The next step is getting MSD (Merck) to make an application to PBAC for Keytruda to be approved by the health minister for the PBS.  IT WILL HAPPEN SOON!!

My heart goes out to those families who have lost their loved ones to mesothelioma.  To Peter and Pete’s families my heart is with you.  

To others living with mesothelioma and who are not doing too well at the moment - big hugs coming your way.

Lou

email eradicateasbestos@gmail.com
#mesothelioma53