Patient Stories
Here mesothelioma patients and their families tell their stories, helping raise awareness and inspire others. If you’d like to share your experience and make a difference to people affected by mesothelioma please contact meso@sandstarcomms.com.
Or, if you’d like to record your story yourself, see https://www.mesothelioma.uk.com/share-your-story/.
Patient story – Simon Lawrence
Simon Lawrence, 60, was diagnosed with mesothelioma in March 2017 and given just three weeks to live. Three years later, he is still here and...
Bernice Scullion
Very sadly, Bernice passed away on 3rd June, 2020. She will be deeply missed by her husband Kevin and her family. May 2018 Bernice Scullion is 46...
Chris Willis
Sadly, Chris died in 2022. This is his story, based on a speech he gave at the Patient and Carer Day in October 2019. Chris Willis Chris is a...
Dave Long’s experience of coronavirus as a mesothelioma patient
David Long is 69 and lives in Southampton. In July 2018 he was diagnosed with mesothelioma. He recently tested positive for coronavirus and wanted...
Michael Conway’s experience of the Checkmate -743 trial
In April 2020, pharmaceutical company, Bristol Myers Squibb announced positive topline results from drug trial. Checkmate -743, a pivotal Phase 3...
Private George Wing awarded French Legion of Honour merit
In 2018 Brian Wallis, Mesothelioma UK Ambassador, was approached by friends of Private George Wing who advised him that George had never received...
David and Jane Nurse
David was diagnosed with mesothelioma in November 2018. Following surgery, he now has scans every three months. David wanted to share his story to...
Richard Powell
Richard, 62, was diagnosed with mesothelioma in April 2018. He has had no treatment since August 2018 and is determined to ‘live with cancer, not...
John Myers
John Myers, 74, was diagnosed with mesothelioma in November 2018. He is currently not on any medication and awaiting to hear about treatment and...
Read our blog for more stories from our fundraisers and staff.
Patient Blogs
David Staley was diagnosed in October 2015, three weeks before his 40th birthday. Having never knowingly worked with asbestos, the diagnosis was a complete bombshell.
Three weeks after diagnosis, David had his left lung removed before starting four months of chemotherapy in January 2016. He’s now back at work full time, trying to lead a ‘normal’ life with his wife Alison and children Joshua & Erin.
David is extremely grateful for the support from family, friends, doctors, nurses etc and believes that he wouldn’t be where he is today without it.
https://davestaleyblog.wordpress.com/
Dr. Mags Portman began writing her blog in January 2017 after being diagnosed with mesothelioma, aged 42. Mags is a Consultant at Mortimer Market Centre in London, which is part of Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust.
https://notdoingthingsbyhalf.wordpress.com
Tragically, Mags Portman died in February 2019. Mags was a true inspiration, committed to research and finding better treatments even if, as she herself said, she wouldn’t be able to ‘ride the crest of the wave.’ Our sincere condolences go to Mags’ family.
Mavis Nye was diagnosed with mesothelioma when she was exposed to asbestos from her husband’s work clothes decades ago. However, since the diagnosis Mavis has certainly been busy having set up two websites, written a book about the day to day life of dealing with mesothelioma and becoming an active part of Meso Warriors. Mavis was awarded with the IATP 2013 Award for her work in raising asbestos awareness around the world.
Caleb Saunderson, 46, was diagnosed with both pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma in 2017. After a course of chemotherapy, Caleb’s cancer is now stable. He is working and living a ‘new kind of normal’ with his family.