Widow tells of loss due to asbestos-related cancer
A CLYDEBANK woman has told of the heartbreaking moment her husband of more than three decades died after battling an asbestos-related cancer.
Hope Robertson has dedicated her time to fighting against the cruel disease since her beloved husband, David, was diagnosed with the fatal lung cancer mesothelioma 18 years ago.
A biopsy, carried out on the pair’s 36th wedding anniversary, confirmed the news and 59-year-old David lost his fight just 52 days later. Fighting back tears, the 74-year-old said: “David was lying in bed that morning – he was just as he had been for weeks and still chatting and what have you.
“I left his side for just a few minutes to go to the kitchen and get him his pills and when I came back I sat on the bed beside him and he just looked up at me, nodded and said ‘You’ll be alright, pet’, shut his eyes and that was it.
“He just closed his eyes and he passed very peacefully.
“Despite knowing David was going to die it still came at a shock as there was nothing to suggest that morning would bring about our last moments. I don’t know if it was luck or determination on David’s part to wait for me to come back to the bedroom, but I’m glad I was with him at the end so he wasn’t alone.”
David was an electrician who specialised in naval vessels starting out as a 15-year-old apprentice on the Clyde shipyards then later helping craft the luxury QE2 liner and Vanguard nuclear submarine, part of the controversial Trident defence programme.
During his career the tradesman worked with asbestos – something he and countless others simply regarded as a new constructive wonder substance.
But like thousands of others, plodding on with the daily grind, David had no idea he was breathing in deadly fibres which would poison his body for years before prematurely, yet rapidly, ending his life.
Retired typist Hope said: “There was nothing to suggest David was as ill as he was – he had no cough and no shortness of breath.
“The only reason we went to the doctor that day was because he had been losing some weight and struggling to eat and drink.
“We thought he might have caught a wee bug or something but when we were sent to hospital we knew it wasn’t good.”
Hope now devotes her time volunteering at the Clydebank Asbestos Group (CAG). This year CAG marks its 25th anniversary of helping thousands of people across the west of Scotland who have suffered from asbestos-related diseases.
But now the loved ones of the 2,600 sufferers who die in the UK every year desperately need the next generation to step into local support roles.
Hope added: “The use of asbestos might be confined to the history books but its shadow reaches into our present with pain and clouds our future with fear.
“Asbestos-related conditions can take up to 40 years to surface and it’s thought we’ll keep seeing new cases emerge for the next 30 years.
“The NHS can give you medical support, but there is no official body to help guide you through the daily struggles – that’s why I’m proud of what CAG does and why people need to understand why it’s so important.”
For advice on asbestos-related conditions or to help volunteer visit clydebankasbestos.org or call 0141 951 1008.