When Richard Linton woke up one Sunday morning in May struggling to breathe, he knew something wasn’t right. A trip to A&E revealed fluid on his lungs, leading to a series of tests and scans. The results brought shocking news – Richard was diagnosed with mesothelioma and prostate cancer.
“I’ve always been fit and healthy,” he says. “So I was very surprised when they told me.”
Diagnosis and care
Richard began receiving treatment at the Bridgewater Cancer Unit in Northern Ireland. From the start, he was impressed by the professionalism and kindness of the doctors, nurses and his consultant. “They’ve all been very professional and friendly,” he says. “And my Macmillan nurse has been very helpful.”
He was sent home with information and contacts about immunotherapy and now receives immunotherapy every three weeks, alongside hormone injections for prostate cancer.
“So far, I haven’t had any reactions,” Richard explains. “I was warned about side effects but I was lucky enough not to have experienced any.”
Although it was a scary time for him and his family, Richard tries to stay positive. “I’m doing OK,” he says simply. “I still drive, I still get out and I try to go about my normal day. It’s all about getting it right in your head.”
Tracing the cause
Doctors believe Richard’s mesothelioma was caused by asbestos exposure after finding a spot on the lungs. Looking back, he remembers several possible points of contact throughout his working life.
His first job was in an old building – “very dusty,” he recalls. He also spent time working in mill furnishing, where asbestos was also still present at the time.
At a later job in a butcher’s shop, they applied for a grant to extend the premises. “There was asbestos in the ceilings, so we had to move out while it was removed,” he explains.
Even outside of his own work, asbestos had touched his life in other ways. Richard’s father worked as a pipe coverer in a shipyard, covering pipes on boats with asbestos. His father died in his late 40s when Richard was only 12.
“My mum didn’t want his body exhumed or tested for a civil claim,” Richard says. “She just said, ‘Your dad’s gone – no amount of money will change that.’”
At the time, few people understood the dangers of asbestos and workers were often exposed without protection. “I was probably even in contact with Dad’s work clothes,” Richard adds. “He died of a heart attack, but we didn’t realise how much he’d been exposed to asbestos.”
Living with mesothelioma
Five months on from his diagnosis, Richard continues to attend hospital regularly and receive treatment. Although he’s now managing high blood pressure, he’s grateful to have avoided major side effects so far.
“It’s been very scary for the family,” he admits. “But you have to just get on with life – don’t let it get you down.”
People often tell him how well he looks. “People keep saying, ‘You’re fit and healthy’,” he smiles. “I just keep busy.”
That sense of purpose keeps Richard going – he’s recently installed a new garage door, replaced the railings and gates outside to help his wife, and finished redecorating his son’s old bedroom. “I painted the ceilings and walls myself,” he says proudly.
He’s also been taking practical steps for the future, including sorting out his finances and paying for his own funeral. “It’s not something I’d thought about before,” he admits. “But it gives me peace of mind.”
Staying positive
Despite the challenges, Richard’s outlook remains optimistic. “You’ve just got to keep going,” he says. “I’m still able to do things, still able to drive. I want to make the most of the time I have left with my wife and family.”
His story is one of quiet strength and resilience – a reminder that even in the face of fear and uncertainty, positivity and purpose can carry you through.
