A Diary Of A Mesowarrior #mesothelioma #asbestos — A Visit to the Heron Building 110 Bishopsgate EC2N

We had the directions to go to Heron Tower in Bishops Gate Wow!! we just don’t know what was ahead of us. Instruction to get the tube to Liverpool Street didn’t give us a clue. We have never been here before . A board meeting had been arranged for Ray and I to meet the rest of the team to talk. It’s amazing that these office spaces can be booked by anyone. London must be full of such buildings. I always thought that companies owned the whole building but it doesn’t work like that. We are learning about the modern business world all the time.

Heron Tower also known as Salesforce Tower – in Bishopsgate, just a short walk from Liverpool Street station – is the tallest skyscraper in the city of London. Along with the Gherkin and the Scalpel, it’s another iconic building we have built for the capital.
At 202m high – 230m with the mast – it shows off our talent for constructing skyscrapers. It is a true London icon, from its lobby with Britain’s largest privately-owned aquarium, to the breath-taking scenic views of London from SushiSamba and other leisure destinations at the top of the building.
Designed by Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, the award-winning tower provides a mixture of offices, shops and restaurants. It has 41 floors – 36 are for offices – and 42,912sqm of space. Its solar panels on the south-facing façade generate environmentally-friendly energy. This helped it secure an excellent rating from sustainability assessors, BREEAM.
One of London’s greatest landmarks
Heron Tower was named as the best commercial workplace at the 2012 British Council for Offices (BCO) Awards. Gary Clifford, BCO’s operations director, said: “This award is a true testament to each stakeholder involved in the successful delivery of such fantastic commercial office facilities and proves how we pulled together as a team to deliver one of London’s greatest landmarks.”
Truly exceptional office space
Heron International’s Gerald Ronson said: “World-class office developments play an important role in attracting international companies to the Square Mile, helping it to retain its status as the global financial capital.
“Heron Tower has taken more than 12 years, from conception to completion, but the results speak for themselves: this is a truly exceptional office development in one of the world’s best locations.”

On entering the glass doors turning round and round none stop so you have to get in your segment and keep shuffling through. A glass expanse is awaiting you with a  row of reception young people where you sign in and get your pass.

Then we were shown what lift to take up to the 17th floor I was asked “Was I scared of a glass lift ?”

“No!!

The floors went by so fast.

London is full of Cranes at the moment with so many new buildings being constructed, but it makes me smile, as it means that London is clearing out ASBESTOS bit by bit. Proper surveys are done before they demolish the old buildings and new buildings are asbestos free Im truly so happy about that.

We arrived and the meeting took place, Ideas put forward, problems sorted over the next 3 hours, coffee drunk and biscuits eaten. goodbyes said we were on our way home.

Saying goodbye to Nicky

I grabbed the cheeky Security man who was saying No photo’s but ok just this once, that had everyone laughing. I don’t think they have many crazy country bumkins in these prestigious buildings. That is a fish tank behind a huge fish tank with very large fish.

Europe’s largest privately-owned aquarium was recently delivered to London’s upcoming Heron Tower giving this new development quite a bit of eye candy in the lobby. The aquarium will hold 70,000l (approx. 18,492 gallons) of water and measures in at 12m long, 2m wide and 4m high with 230mm (approx. 9 in.) walls and will be home to over 1,200 fish from Heron Island located near the Great Barrier Reef.
Built by Colorado-based Reynolds Polymer Technology, the massive aquarium posed some serious constraints while getting it to the Heron Tower construction site. The aquarium had to transported on its side in a protective steel frame and later moved upright and temporarily installed to allow the rockwork, artificial reef decorations and operational equipment to be added. The tank will be moved to its permanent location later this summer.
“The aquarium is a masterpiece of design and manufacturing, that fits perfectly with the high quality workmanship involved in all aspects of this development,” notes Steve Evans, Development Director at Heron International. “Its arrival on site at the Tower marks another milestone in the property’s development. 

https://reefbuilders.com/2010/08/11/europes-largest-privatelyowned-aquarium-installed-londons-heron-tower/

We came away having had a wonderful afternoon. It’s great to be able to get look in a building that we would never have a chance to be in. It wasn’t a target of mine but it was great to have such a great surprise.

Thank you Trevor Stirling, Eman Hasan, Nicky Howe Of Moore Blatch and Harry Steinburg QC for the opportunity to visit an Iconic building and a constructive meeting.

 

A Diary Of A Mesowarrior #mesothelioma #Asbestos — Save Our NHS The shock plans to downgrade or even close local hospitals and surgeries.

Yesterday we travelled early to Broadstairs  as I had seen there was going to be a meeting Of our Save Canterbury Hospital. They have moved our A&E to Margate or Ashford so it means a longer journey when we are in trouble and to get to Ashford we have a long winding country road to travel with blue lights.

I was surprised at how man came, the room filled up and more chairs were passed in. The meeting started dead on time. I was not prepared for what we heard. To say I’m shocked doesn’t even come near it. I knew we are heading for a privatised health care but when we have GP’s telling us I woke up to the fact I had been right in my thinking.

I don’t want my blog to become political but I talk about my day-to-day happenings so as I did go to this meeting I will just report what I heard and leave the reader (You) to draw your own conclusions.

The conference included workshops on mental health, the government’s Sustainability and Transformation Partnership plans and ways to defend local surgeries and hospitals.

Hosted by Thanet Trades Union Council, the conference bought together individuals with unparalleled experience of campaigning for the future of NHS in the Kent area.

Speakers included Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield, health campaigner Dr Bob Gill, Jacqui Berry (Health Campaigns Together and Unison executive), Dr. Coral Jones (Vice chair of Doctors in Unite the Union) and Ken Rogers (Concern for Health in East Kent).

The Speaker that stood out was Larry Sanders The brother of the US presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. He was a key speaker at the conference which debated how to defend east Kent’s medical services. Larry Sanders spoke as a spokesperson for the Green Party.

He told us about the US and how serious the health system was getting there as well.

We also listened to Bob Gill and he was amazing. I came hoe and googled and found he already has You tube a speech which repeated what he told us.

If you care about our NHS please watch this. he has put his job on-line to talk to us.

We came away from the meeting knowing we can’t sit back and let this happen to our beloved NHS that is admired the world over. So we will attend other meetings. There is going to be a march in London but I feel we should stick to our local area and try to save our Kent and Canterbury it is what matters the most. As we were saying with all the chaos of ambulances queuing to get to A&E at Ashford, people on trolleys waiting for treatment that they have a trolley nurse now to attend patients, our wonder doctors and nurses still give such dedicated services that we still think they are the best.

We had so many facts and figures we came away with it all swirling in our head.

I still want to say a big thank you to all the wonderful staff of our NHS the people are on your side.

http://www.kentonline.co.uk/thanet/news/larry-sanders-nhs-conference-158947/

 

 

 

A Diary Of A Mesowarrior Living With #Mesothelioma #Asbestos A day at ESS Seminar Newbury

We travelled to Newbury by train on Tuesday 23rd Jan and I just didn’t know what to expect. We have been to a training session before for Face Fit in Northampton but this was a Safety Seminar.

We arrived at Newbury Football Club and found and found an Exhibition laid out and a very warm welcome.

Darren greeted me, we have been in contact for a very long time as it has taken them a lot of planning to bring this to fruition.

The room filled up and we were soon seated to listen to the speakers.

I loved the way The three worked together with such enthusiasm,  Darren O’Neill, Training & Consultancy Director, interacting with the group to raise more awareness about illnesses, diseases and anatomy, Gareth Davies (ESS Director) giving a brief overview of Asbestos Related information and  Micky Harcourt, Business Development Manager at ESS giving an overview on Respirable Crystalline Silica each took it in turns to talk about the Company and the work they do with such pride. Not forgetting Catherine Storer Managing Director of ESS keeping everything running smoothly.

Jane Beckman from the HSE Gave a good talk on covering an overview of their expectations and management HSE Have so much on Line Information we really ought to use it more.

Ray and I gave our presentation’s and Ray had made a new one and I hadn’t seen it. It was brilliant with some great cartoon pictures and my story. Ekk I couldn’t repeat it so I had to go along and swing it and also I had trouble working the clicker, but we got through and everyone was pleased with us so that’s the main thing.

My Charity Tin was left out and the audience put £75.50 in it which we counted when we got home and was surprised and thank them, xx

We covered so much it was great to have lunch and a chat with so many that were there. Since I have come home they all seem to contact and we have joined up on LinkedIn and Facebook. I seem to be in All Safety now.

After Lunch we did round robins where we split into groups and passed around the stalls.

Outside with a coat on we had a demonstration from Vern Harrington of RVT Group.

https://rvtgroup.co.uk/

A demo https://rvtgroup.co.uk/equipment/dust/index.php

We came back and walked around as looked at all the masks with a long discussion on beards. The men really do have to shave to get a good face fit. If the don’t want to shave or if they have beards then the must wear the hoods with a motor.

 

I have never seen the Taste face Fit test that was interesting to watch .

There are two tests :- Face Fit Testing (Qualitative)
This is a method used for checking that a tight-fitting face piece matches the person’s facial features and seals adequately to the wearers face. It also helps to ensure that poorly fitting face pieces are not selected for use. An inadequate fit will significantly reduce the protection provided to the wearer.
If a fit test is not performed, then an unsatisfactory seal / barrier may unknowingly exist. This could allow excessive leakage of airborne contaminants into the wearer’s breathing zone, even though the user is wearing a respirator correctly selected for the application.
We are happy to attend your site to carry out the Fit tests – each test takes approx. 15 – 20 mins per delegate.
Half day course – up to 12 delegates (based on one type of mask)
Cost: £350+Vat
Full day course – up to 22 delegates (based on one type of mask)
Cost: £485+Vat
Please can you confirm the type of mask currently being used along with the type of substances the delegates are working with?
Please ensure you are in possession of the masks you intend to use, or if you need further assistance with supplying these our tester can advise on the day:
If you do not have your own supply of masks we can bring various types of the FFP3 mask for testing on the day (reusable and non-reusable) and our tester will be able to advise on a suitable model for you to purchase going forward. This will be an additional cost of £25 (for a half day of testing), or £50 for a full day testing to cover the cost of the masks being used for testing purposes only. If you are using any dangerous chemicals please provide us with a COSHH sheet.

Face Fit Train the Tester (Qualitative)
This course is for trainees who want to undertake their own face fit testing programme.
Why perform a fit test?
If you provide respiratory protective equipment (RPE) to your employee’s then it is essential that you have documentary evidence to show the RPE fits the wearer. By subjecting each wearer to a face-fit test you can be sure that your organisation is fulfilling the requirements laid out in the Health & Safety Executives (HSE) guidance note HSE 282/28. I have attached a course overview for your information.
Course duration is approx. 4 hours and the course can accommodate a maximum of 6 delegates – cost is £425 + VAT.
Dates:
Fit Testing Kit
The cost of the Fit Testing Kit is an additional £150+Vat, and the tester can bring this with him on the day.
On completion of the above courses you will be provided with an Essential Site Skills ID Card and Certificate. We will also provide a USB drive with various documents for your learner to take away including HSE guidance, posters and employee fit test records for you to re-brand and use.
The Employee Fit Test Records and ID cards are valid for 3 years, but we would recommend a re-test after 12 months, due to any facial changes that may occur, beard growth, or if they have had a facial injury.
We offer an extensive range of training courses designed to meet the needs of industry and help ensure companies are fully compliant with legislation. I have attached a copy of our Company Brochure which includes an overview of the training, NVQ qualifications and services we offer; the course lists are not exhaustive but it gives an indication of the scope of our offer. Our open course dates can also be found on our website.

Dates for Courses found on the web site  http://essentialsiteskills.co.uk/

Our Lungs are precious to us and they can be damaged so easily over the years that by the time we are older we can suffer with Lung disease. It’s not only Mesothelioma it is dust and fumes etc etc

The lungs are protected by a series of defense mechanisms in different regions of the respiratory tract.
When a person breathes in, particles suspended in the air enter the nose, but not all of them reach the lungs. The nose is an efficient filter. Most large particles are stopped in it, until they are removed mechanically by blowing the nose or sneezing.
Some of the smaller particles succeed in passing through the nose to reach the windpipe and the dividing air tubes that lead to the lungs [more information about how particles entering the lungs].
These tubes are called bronchi and bronchioles. All of these airways are lined by cells. The mucus they produce catches most of the dust particles. Tiny hairs called cilia, covering the walls of the air tubes, move the mucus upward and out into the throat, where it is either coughed up and spat out, or swallowed.
The air reaches the tiny air sacs (alveoli) in the inner part of the lungs with any dust particles that avoided the defenses in the nose and airways. The air sacs are very important because through them, the body receives oxygen and releases carbon dioxide.
Dust that reaches the sacs and the lower part of the airways where there are no cilia is attacked by special cells called macrophages. These are extremely important for the defense of the lungs. They keep the air sacs clean. Macrophages virtually swallow the particles. Then the macrophages, in a way which is not well understood, reach the part of the airways that is covered by cilia. The wavelike motions of the cilia move the macrophages which contain dust to the throat, where they are spat out or swallowed.
Besides macrophages, the lungs have another system for the removal of dust. The lungs can react to the presence of germ-bearing particles by producing certain proteins. These proteins attach to particles to neutralize them.
Dusts are tiny solid particles scattered or suspended in the air. The particles are “inorganic” or “organic,” depending on the source of the dust. Inorganic dusts can come from grinding metals or minerals such as rock or soil. Examples of inorganic dusts are silica, asbestos, and coal.
Organic dusts originate from plants or animals. An example of organic dust is dust that arises from handling grain. These dusts can contain a great number of substances. Aside from the vegetable or animal component, organic dusts may also contain fungi or microbes and the toxic substances given off by microbes. For example, histoplasmosis, psittacosis and Q Fever are diseases that people can get if they breathe in organic that are infected with a certain microorganisms.
Dusts can also come from organic chemicals (e.g., dyes, pesticides). However, in this OSH Answers document, we are only considering dust particles that cause fibrosis or allergic reactions in the lungs. We are not including chemical dusts that cause other acute toxic effects, nor long term effects such as cancer for example.

What are the reactions of the lungs to dust?
The way the respiratory system responds to inhaled particles depends, to a great extent, on where the particle settles. For example, irritant dust that settles in the nose may lead to rhinitis, an inflammation of the mucous membrane. If the particle attacks the larger air passages, inflammation of the trachea (tracheitis) or the bronchi (bronchitis) may be seen.
The most significant reactions of the lung occur in the deepest parts of this organ.
Particles that evade elimination in the nose or throat tend to settle in the sacs or close to the end of the airways. But if the amount of dust is large, the macrophage system may fail. Dust particles and dust-containing macrophages collect in the lung tissues, causing injury to the lungs.
The amount of dust and the kinds of particles involved influence how serious the lung injury will be. For example, after the macrophages swallow silica particles, they die and give off toxic substances. These substances cause fibrous or scar tissue to form. This tissue is the body’s normal way of repairing itself. However, in the case of crystalline silica so much fibrous tissue and scarring form that lung function can be impaired. The general name for this condition for fibrous tissue formation and scarring is fibrosis. The particles which cause fibrosis or scarring are called fibrogenic. When fibrosis is caused by crystalline silica, the condition is called silicosis.

What are the factors influencing the effects of dust?
Several factors influence the effects of inhaled particles. Among these are some properties of the particles themselves. Particle size is usually the critical factor that determines where in the respiratory tract that particle may be deposited. Chemical composition is important because some substances, when in particle form, can destroy the cilia that the lungs use for the removal of particles. Smoking may alter the ability of the lungs to clear themselves.
Characteristics of the person inhaling particles can also influence the effects of dust. Breathing rates and smoking are among the most important. The settling of dust in the lungs increases with the length of time the breath is held and how deeply the breath is taken. Whether breathing is through the nose or mouth is also important.

What are the diseases of dusty operations?
Workers can be affected from a variety of illnesses caused by dust they inhale in their work environments. For practical purposes, we limit this document to dust. We do not take into consideration combined effects arising from exposures to dusts, gases, fumes and vapours.
Some types of lung diseases caused by the inhalation of dust are called by the general term “pneumoconiosis”. This simply means “dusty lung”.
The changes which occur in the lungs vary with the different types of dust. For example, the injury caused by exposure to silica is marked by islands of scar tissue surrounded by normal lung tissue. Because the injured areas are separated from each other by normal tissue, the lungs do not completely lose their elasticity. In contrast, the scar tissue produced following exposure to asbestos, beryllium and cobalt completely covers the surfaces of the deep airways. The lungs become stiff and lose their elasticity.
Not all inhaled particles produce scar tissue. Dusts such as carbon and iron remain within macrophages until they die normally. The released particles are then taken in again by other macrophages. If the amount of dust overwhelms the macrophages, dust particles coat the inner walls of the airways without causing scarring, but only producing mild damage, or maybe none at all.
Some particles dissolve in the bloodstream. The blood then carries the substance around the body where it may affect the brain, kidneys and other organs.
The table below summarizes some of the most common lung diseases caused by dust.
The OSH Answers document Extrinsic Allergic Alveolitis has more information about diseases from exposure to organic dusts.

Table
Some types of pneumoconiosis according to dust and lung reaction
Inorganic Dust
Type of Disease
Lung Reaction
Asbestos
Asbestosis
Fibrosis
Silica (Quartz)
Silicosis
Fibrosis
Coal
Coal Pneumoconiosis
Fibrosis
Beryllium
Beryllium Disease
Fibrosis
Tungsten Carbide
Hard Metal Disease
Fibrosis
Iron
Siderosis
No Fibrosis
Tin
Stannosis
No Fibrosis
Barium
Baritosis
No Fibrosis
Organic Dust

Mouldy hay, straw and grain
Farmer’s lung
Fibrosis
Droppings and feathers
Bird fancier’s lung
Fibrosis
Mouldy sugar can
Bagassosis
Fibrosis
Compose dust
Mushroom worker’s lung
No Fibrosis
Dust or mist
Humidifier fever
No Fibrosis
Dust of heat-treated sludge
Sewage sludge disease
No Fibrosis
Mould dust
Cheese washers’ lung
No Fibrosis
Dust of dander, hair particles and dried urine of rats
Animal handlers’ lung
No Fibrosis

How can we protect the lungs from dust?
To avoid respiratory or other problems caused by exposure to dust, controls must be implemented. As per the hierarchy of control, the first consideration should be hazardous substances substituted with non-hazardous substances. Where substitution is not possible, other engineering control methods should be introduced. Some examples are:
use of wet processes
enclosure of dust-producing processes under negative air pressure (slight vacuum compared to the air pressure outside the enclosure)
exhausting air containing dust through a collection system before emission to the atmosphere
use of vacuums instead of brooms
good housekeeping
efficient storage and transport
controlled disposal of dangerous waste
Use of personal protective equipment may be vital, but it should nevertheless be the last resort of protection. Personal protective equipment should not be a substitute for proper dust control and should be used only where dust control methods are not yet effective or are inadequate. Workers themselves, through education, must understand the need to avoid the risks of dust. A respiratory protection program is discussed in OSH Answers – Personal Protective Equipment, and specifically Respirator Selection, Respirator Care, Respirators – Wearing a Respirator and Respirators – Respirator Versus Surgical Masks.

http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/lungs_dust.html

We were shattered as we travelled home in the rush hour and don’t I look it

I know it doesn’t look it but I had a great day and so pleased we did attend this great Seminar Thank You ESS

 

 

A Diary of a #Mesowarrior – Canterbury P&R and the Pantomime #Mesothelioma #Asbestos

Today was the day of the Pantomime but first we had to go to Margate Hospital for Ray to see his Surgeon and to get is back Op signed off.

We were in and out of there in a few moments but the poor Doctor had the flu and told Ray not to get to near to him. He had 25 Patients to see and was worried he wasn’t going to get through the day. You don’t expect you Doc to get ill.

Anyway he was pleased with Ray and has signed him off but to come back if he has any problems with it.

We carried on into  Canterbury through long traffic jams as the many shoppers poured into the city.

Parking in the Park and Ride at new Dover Road I had promised my fellow motohomers on face book some photos of the motorhome parking overflow. So many park here on their way to or from France as they travel onto Spain.

Although this is a car park it is used as an overflow as few cars use park here.

https://www.campercontact.com/en/united-kingdom/south-east-england/canterbury/9897/motorhome-parking-new-dover-road-park.aspx?fromsso=1 

We caught the bus into the city, did some shopping and had lunch before meeting up with our friends from the Camping and Caravan Club at the Marlow Theatre

We were here to see Peter Pan, starring Shaun Williamson (EastEnders and Extras), Wendi Peters (Coronation Street), children’s favourites Gemma Hunt (CBeebies’ Swashbuckle), David Ribi (Channel 5’s Milkshake) and Samantha Dorrance (CBeebies’ The Tale Of Mr Tumble). The show  also featured the hilarious Marlowe favourites Ben Roddy and Lloyd Hollett.
Once again, the show was written and directed by Paul Hendy and brought to us by Evolution, the same creative team behind last year’s award-winning show, Dick Whittington (which was seen by over 95,000 people!). With lots of audience participation and spectacular special effects, this promised to be the biggest and
funniest pantomime ever.

I laughed all the way through It was the best pantomime I have ever seen. I even cried because I thought Tinkerbell had been killed. I was glad it was dark in the theatre. In fact I got very emotional with the fact I was still here and was able to enjoy the whole experience.

We then travelled back to the park and ride for a meal together at the Old Gate Inn. It was great to have a good chat and we will soon be able to get out into a field somewhere and spend weekends camping again.

Reflections

A Target to be able to see next years Pantomime -Its Cinderella https://marlowetheatre.com/shows/cinderella-2/

A Diary Of A #Mesowarrior – #Mesothelioma #Asbestos – Scan Result day at the Royal Marsden.

It was that time of scanexity on Monday.

I was great going and then it was me looking like a pin cushion as the nurse couldn’t find the vein.

I have only got one usable vein in the crook of my arm. It has taken all the blood tests and chemo and all the contrast die for scans.

It has a valve and some nurses miss it some don’t, this one didn’t. So into a bowl of hot water went my arms. Another try didnt find anything so another nurse came in and put it into the only vein again and it worked. I did bleed away as if the vein was laughing at us. It was stopped as I pressed down with lint rolled up.

Then I started to get wound right up. A scan can change your whole life. Its the difference between life being good and life being more treatment to kill Mr Nasty. I prayed he had risen off the ground again. We have knocked him to floor and that’s where he has to stay. PLEASE!!!

The scan was soon done and off we had come home.

That was a good trip.

Today was so different. Scanexity was enough but with so much traffic going into Maidstone  we slowed right down.

We did get to the Royal Marsden in the end.

We were there at 10am for a 11.30am appointment. I knew we would have a long wait for bloods to be taken. Then when we reached the very busy waiting room the hours began to slip away. I was talking to a man who said the NHS want us all to die ? there he is having Chemo to live so how he came up with that statement I really don’t know.

He must have been watching Logan’s Run.

A poor lady was waiting such a long time and I could see she was uncomfortable. I remember those Chemo times very well, trying to sit there waiting and just wanting to go back to bed.

12.35 We finally got called in.

A lovely new Doctor came into the room and said straight away that it was a good result. The are so thrilled and excited that this is the case after 384 days of no treatment. She said it really gives all the staff hope. So we had a talk about all I’m getting up to pay the NHS back for saving my life.

Off she went back to her office to find my blood results. This is why I like being on a trial everything comes through so fast.

My kidney function is down but that has been up and down right through all this.

As you know I only have one and that was damaged at 45 when I went into Renal Failure and they built me a new Urethra.

She has advised I drink more and flush it through.

She also explained that there are scarrings and odd things left from the Mesothelioma. They just do not want to put needles in to look at what is left as they just do not want to disturb anything. I have already been told this at the time of the end of the trial but it asumed there is no Mesothelioma in my body. This will only be proved with time when at 5 years they can say Im in remission. 10 Years Im cured. So we wait and see.

That was it we were out in about 10 minutes.

On our way home through some road works we hit the M25 and a long traffic jam that came to a standstill at the M25 turn off.

We heard that the problem was an accident ahead.

Gradually we slowly proceeded on the journey and travelled past 6 cars all smashed in different ways. They had to clean oil off the road before we could travel through

.10am and arived home at

We left at 8.10am and we got home at 3pm for 10 minutes But !! it was good news so who cares.

We were very pleased to get home and a coffee made after taking the dog for a walk.

So that is it for another 3 months. This is why I live 3 months at a time.

 

 

A Diary Of A Mesowarrior- #Mesothelioma #asbestos. My LASAG Support Meeting Today Talk about Kent Carer’s

Today we went to Canterbury to our LASAG support meeting. It was great to see many people as it is January and cold but they all braved the weather and came alone.

Everyone chatted away together until the Speaker arrived from Kent Carers Support Group.

A Carer is someone who, without payment provides help and support to a relative, friend or neighbour, who could not manage without their help due to physical or mental illness, addiction or disability. Becoming a Carer can happen to anyone at any time and affects people from all cultures and of all ages

A Carer is someone who, without payment, provides help and support to a relative, friend or neighbour, who could not manage without their help due to physical or mental illness, addiction or disability. Becoming a Carer can happen to anyone at any time and affects people from all cultures and of any age”

When people need help with their day-to-day living they often turn to their family and friends. Looking after each other is something that we do.

There are 151777 Unpaid Carers’ in Kent alone.

Across the UK there are almost 7 million people providing unpaid care for an ill, frail or disabled family member or friend.

Carers may help with personal things like getting someone washed and dressed, turning them in their sleep, helping them move about or administering their medication. Carers also help with things like shopping, laundry, cleaning, cooking, filling in forms or managing money.
Although called Carers, they would probably say “I’m just being a husband, a wife, a mum, a dad, a son, a daughter, a friend or a good neighbour.”
Carers provide practical and emotional support to those living with Physical Disability or Illness, Dementia, Learning Disability, Autism, Mental Illness, Sensory Impairment or who are affected by Substance Misuse. Many Carers support Older People who are frail and need support with day to day living. Children living with a disability may be supported by a Parent Carer.

https://www.carers-supportcdt.org.uk/

It was a good talk but when it was finished I was so surprised at the answer to the question of where could children get help. Seems they only cover from 16 years of age, That is very worrying as little children do look after their parents and also need help. It was suggested to seek help at the hospice which really isnt the right place to take children but it s better than nothing and they will know what to do.

I have found this link https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support/young-carers-rights/? 

Everyone was so engrossed and listening

Selfie !!!

The next meeting is on the Feb 12th

http://www.lasag.org/ 

Support Groups
East London/Essex
Toby Carvery Moby Dick, Whalebone Lane North, Dagenham RM6 6QU at 11 am – 1 pm.
Held on the last Thursday of every month
For further details please contact Yvonne Miah at yvonne.lasag@gmail.com/07917 194454
Kent
A.R.C.A Hall (Ashford Road Community Association), 151 Ashford Road, Thanington Without, Canterbury CT1 3XR 2 pm – 4 pm.
Held on the second Tuesday of every month
For further details, please contact Marika Townsend at marika.lasag@gmail.com/07880 201751 or
Alison Blake at alison.lasag@gmail.com/07585337230

A Diary Of a Mesowarrior Living With #Mesothelioma #Asbestos –Wonderful News of a #Mesowarrior and Nano-Bots Im getting very scientific

The Biggest even for me this week was the publication of the story of a Mesowarrior Danielle Smalley

It was great to share her wonderful news. Our Youngest Mesowarrior at last I have been with her right through this wonderful young Woman’s Journey egging her on to get well again and she has made it.

I picked her story up from the papers some time back and made contact with her. I just couldn’t understand why a 23 year old had mesothelioma showing so early.

She doesn’t really know where the asbestos was whether it was in her school or her home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was wonderful when she got through the Operation for Peritoneal and then see her move into her own house We are so proud of our wonderful Meswarrior. Please take time and read her story she is amazing.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-5234379/Woman-cancer-caused-asbestos-gets-clear.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I received a message from a young man that has taken me into studying Nanobots. Gosh I do get involved in many weird things. Nontubes has come into my world as reports are published about the next wave of Asbestos like substances and I had been told how golf balls burst and nanotubes are inside as well as tennis rackets etc .

Mrs. Nye I am trying to contact and connect with experts in the field of Nanotechnology & Nanomedicine to discuss the feasibility of using nano technology to help in the removal of asbestos fibres and silica particles from the body.

How do you feel about such an endeavour as this?

You are such an inspiration and a hero to so many.

Well it so happened I’m in touch with Brunel Uni as you know from my asbestos pictures from my visit there so I contacted and from that I was able to write a article on LinkedIn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The feasibility of using nano technology to help in the removal of asbestos fibres and silica particles from the body.

I had a great conversation with a young man yesterday that had me thinking as he had a theory and you know my mind is always searching. He asked me – Nanotubes be used to target asbestos fibres and silica particles in lungs and in theory could they potentially latch on to fibres and guided them to the faeces to be excreted out of the body or gather in a location to be removed in a biopsy like procedure with the fibres and particles attached or inside them that would be an incredible achievement.
They have used this to remove tumours from Mice could they pick up fibres in a persons body. Would it be safe. Would they go berserk and damage in the brain. ???
https://nano-magazine.com/news/2017/11/24/biodegradable-nanobots-could-help-treat-cancer
I contacted my friends in the Brunel Uni and the wonderful reply came back:- I have just had this answer —
Hi Mavis, The idea is interesting, but the practicalities are very complicated… but hopefully the below will explain a bit more.
Nanotubes
Firstly, when I read the subject header of nanotubes I seen a red-flag, because nanotubes (specifically carbon nano-tubes) are theorised to be the next asbestos. This is because they have a similar physical properties to asbestos, i.e. have a high aspect ratio, are resistant to chemical attack and remain within the body. This following article quite nicely summarises the current thinking of asbestos versus carbon nanotubes https://www.mrc.ac.uk/news/browse/carbon-nanotubes-may-pose-cancer-risk-similar-to-asbestos-and-we-think-we-know-how/. The scientific community is yet to say definitively that carbon nano-tubes are hazardous, but the evidence is mounting up against them.
Nano-bots
Personally I’m not a fan of the word nano-bots, because it invokes images of science fiction and Isaac Asimov’s Fantastic Voyage. I believe a better terminology would be Smart Treatments etc., because the bots aren’t miniaturised mechanoids, rather algae that have a magnetic coating that is used to direct them to a specific area of the body, but it is the terminology that they used so I’ll do the same…To simply answer your questions:
1. the only way the nanobots could be used to remove fibres is if there is a mechanism to localise them towards the fibres. However therein lies the problem because the nanobots within the article are developed using magnetised algae and asbestos fibres are neither bio-reactive or magnetic, so you couldn’t use magnetism or a biological process to draw the bots to the fibres. Beyond these specific nano-bots, when talking about micro-sized asbestos fibres, in order to direct anything against them, a physical reaction is required to localise the nano-bots to the fibres. Given the inert nature of asbestos fibres, this would be difficult to do.
2. However, the nano-bots could be used to treat mesothelioma (and other cancers) and is very much up-to-date with the current research regarding cancer treatment, i.e. developing a way to specifically target a cancerous growth and leave the healthy tissue (more on that later).
3. The nanobots shouldn’t have the potential to get into the brain and cause damage there. However, being an algae, a single celled micro-organism commonly found within ponds, they would be seen as an infection by the immune system, similar to a bacteria or viruses. Therefore for them to be safe, they must be compatible with the human immune system so as not to be seen as an infection (I won’t go into detail now about this as it will send me off on a tangent).
Engineering nano-bots/smart treatments to treat cancers
Currently many anticancer treatments are drugs which stop or limit cell division or metabolic processes (reactions that occur within all cells to sustain the life of the cell) and the drugs work because cancer cells have a metabolic rate which it higher than the normal cells around them. However, many anticancer drugs are administered systemically (to the whole body), resulting in the anticancer drug travelling around the body, and since the drug is non-selective it will affect the metabolic processes that are happening within normal cells. Problems arise when the anticancer drug reaches areas of the body where you have normal cells that also have a high level of metabolic activity, e.g. hair follicles, kidneys and liver, resulting in them being affected by the anticancer drug and causing many of the side-effects of the treatments. Hence, the current concept behind anti-cancer research is to localise a drug/therapeutic only to areas where there are cancerous cells and then release the therapeutic onto the cancer, thus reducing the effect on healthy tissues and potential for side effects.
Within the article that you sent, the nano-bots are guided to the cancer using magnets; I’m unsure of how because I couldn’t find the original article to check. Nonetheless, if the nano-bots can be pre-loaded with an anticancer drug/therapeutic then when the bots are degraded the drug/therapeutic will be released at the site of the cancer. The drawback of this article is that it is only a proof of concert study, hence it is very early stage research. To bring such a concept to a realistic treatment will take decades of more research because, for example:
1. By using an algae to deliver the drug, you are effectively introducing an infection into the body, which would most likely invoke and immune reaction
2. The study was performed on mice (unfortunately animal testing is a necessary evil of modern medicine), which are relatively small organisms, but how would the bots by directed within a larger organism such as a human
3. Would the algae/magnets have any secondary bi-products which could be harmful? etc. etc.
The use of nano-bots, or smart therapies is quite a way off, with many studies being in the proof of concept stage. However, the use of directed treatments, an example could be the immune-therapy that was used to treat your mesothelioma are closer to being available clinically and are going to become more prevalent in the coming future.
I hope this is helpful!
WOW!!! Absolutely Fascinating Dr. Ashley Howkins PhD, BSc. (Hons.) Senior Scientific Officer (Electron Microscopy)
Experimental Techniques Centre
Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, United Kingdom
www.brunel.ac.uk 

Jason added

It will be interesting if the scientists in China can develop the biodegradable kinds They are working on.

Most of the Nano medicine research has been conducted on mice and rats at this point.

I do hope that the day comes when the technology exists to remove asbestos and silica from the lungs.

Nano medicine seemed like the best possible solution to the issue.

You have my permission to use my name publicly for the theory too. I seem to be the first one to suggest this approach or at least get the conversation started.

I came to this idea after getting emotional about the various firefighters and other first responders and volunteers who unknowingly inhale asbestos or silica on the job and never know about it till diagnosis.

Within the next decade this could potentially be a game changer in the treatment of asbestosis, mesothelioma and silicosis. If the nanobots could guide them to the faeces to be excreted out naturally or gather in a location to be removed in a biopsy like procedure with the fibres and particles attached or inside them that would be an incredible achievement.

 

 

 

 

 

This really is science fiction stuff to me but I’m really fired up on the research that can happen now and wouldn’t it be great