ANTINOMY

January 1980

"Honey, I'm home!" (Don't sit in the recliner with your work clothes on, no, no....he's sitting, Ugh!)

"Had to go down in the boat today." (What is this official looking paper?)

"Tore out some old piping" (This paper says he was exposed to asbestos.)

February 1980

"They had me go to the dispensary today to get checked out after my exposure" (Lot of good that will do NOW)

….2004

"Honey, I'm home!" "Man, my sinuses are killing me, and I am so tired ". (No, no, don't spit outside again! Ick!)

"The doctor's office called today. They said it's time for your annual checkup" (Geez, my lungs are fine….aren't they?)

"What's for dinner? Nachos?" (Yes, I know you love 'em.)

 "I need to go to the store after dinner. We are having a feed at work this week to raise money for Kevin" (It is just horrible that Kevin has MESOTHELIOMA.)

"Honey, I'm baaaaack!" ::::Pffffffffffffffffttt::: "Ahhhh, that's better!" (For whom? Not me, you gasball!)

"Did you see I brought you flowers?" (Yes. Just once, couldn't you get them somewhere else besides the grocery store?)

….2005 

"The doctor wants me to come in for a physical again? Well, maybe I should go….". (Please don't let him find anything wrong)

"Doctor, I'm just not feeling good. I can't figure out why though. My wife here insisted I come see you ". (My heart actually hurts. Oh God, what could be wrong with him?)

That same year….

(He looks so helpless and vulnerable laying in that bed) "Hi....dear"

"Will you be back tomorrow? Bring a crossword puzzle, will ya?" (No problem. Maybe I can bring him some of his favorite CD's to listen to too.)

The next day … ::::Ring::::

"It was so sudden, Mrs. ___. He was doing so well, and then this morning....". (I am in shock. I don't have a reply, except a tiny, squeaky 'thank you' that escapes.)

"Honey, "I'm home..."

[Source Mesothelioma Web]  Although it is suggested that the number of mesothelioma cases in the U.S. has reached its peak and has begun to drop, a forecast released by the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER), in April, 2003, projected the total number of American male mesothelioma cases from 2003-2054 to be approximately 71,000. This number, however, does not take into consideration events such as the World Trade Center disaster on September 11, 2001, when millions of New Yorkers were potentially exposed to air filled with carcinogenic asbestos particles. When the latency period for asbestos disease is factored in, cases of mesothelioma will continue to be diagnosed for years to come.