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Thirty years ago, Jan Jardine spent forty years in a job she loved very much: she worked as a social worker at the Quamby Youth Detention Center in Canberra.
Meanwhile, the government center was doing renovations – removing part of the ceiling and tearing the floor tiles.
"We were working while they were renovating, the kids swept the dust and put it in the trash," Ms. Jardine told nine.com.au.
In 2014, and for Ms. Jardine, it did not "click" when her oncologist announced the terrible news: she had a mesothelioma, or cancer of asbestos.
"We did not know that it was asbestos and that it was bad for you. Even now, when I tell people what I have, they look at me without saying anything, "she said.
Ms. Jardine had been sent to the hospital for a kidney stone and her left lung had also been captured by CT.
He was told to immediately see his GP because there was something "they did not like the look of".
After a series of tests, the devastated mother of seven children and the 14-year-old grandmother had 12 months to live.
"Saying to my family was the hardest part. I called my daughter and I told her to gather her brothers and sisters at home, it was horrible, "said Ms. Jardine.
It was in her family that New South Wales' grandmother sought comfort for weeks and months to come as she struggled with the fact that she would not be here to see her growing up. the little ones.
But through pain and sadness, it was moments of pure joy.
"I had bad nightmares because of chemo, and my grandson told me; "Do not be afraid of their grandmother, it's your body fighting cancer".
Another nine-year-old cousin was sneaking up to watch her and asked, "Do you want a block of ice?" If she noticed that she was awake.
The three-year-old followed him, saying to his grandmother in the darkest moments, "Do not worry, everyone is vomiting."
"They are fighting you," said Mrs. Jardine with a smile.
And she fought against her – Ms. Jardine continues to overcome the odds and defy the prognosis of his doctor.
But she knows the reality of the hideous cancer that she has.
"This is not a good way to die, you would not wish it for your worst enemy, but you do not throw in the towel and do not lie down and do not die, you have to stay positive," she said.
SENSITIZATION TO ASBESTOS
Mesothelioma usually kills quickly and many people with asbestos cancer do not live more than 11 months after the diagnosis.
This week of asbestos awareness (November 26th – 30th), the focus is on building understanding within the community.
Australia has one of the highest mesothelioma rates in the world, with one in two homes containing asbestos and two people diagnosed each day with asbestos cancer.
"It's perceived as an old man's disease, which is not the case, but it's still people aged 65 and over, so it's not something that people want to know, "said Rod Smith, of the Bernie Banton Foundation, sensitized to asbestos. organization.
Rod and his partner, and founder of the Foundation, Karen Banton, have lost their former spouses to asbestos cancer and are constantly shocked by the lack of public care.
"Because people in their twenties and thirties usually do not suffer from this disease – with our social networks, for example, if you put a picture of a man or a woman of 70 or 80 years people just do not look Mr. Smith told nine.com.au.
The couple is particularly concerned about the potential dangers of Australia's obsession with home improvement.
"It's hard for young people to save for a deposit in a house. So they tend to buy older properties, that is, homes that contain asbestos, "said Foundation founder Karen Banton.
"If a house is built before 1990, they must have it evaluated before they even do minor work around the property," Banton warned.
Ignore the truth
Seven colleagues of Ms. Jardine, who worked alongside her at the Quamby Juvenile Detention Center, have died of cancer, but the 72-year-old man has never known it. was the same type as his.
She received some compensation because she contracted cancer while she was working for the ACT government, but by her own admission, "It's not millions, it's not." sure".
In recent years, she has reconnected with a former inmate from downtown Canberra, saddened and shocked to learn her diagnosis.
The man had continued to change his life and start his own business, but the two men were wondering who on the other hand the dreaded mesothelioma could have touched during their stay in Quamby's hallways.
WorkSafe ACT told nine.com.au: "We are not aware of the complaints of former Quamby workers regarding exposure to asbestos".
"Noting that the presumed period of exposure is related to the 1980s and the opening of the facility in the 1960s, historical operations could overlap with the pre-autonomy period. in the ACT, which would make it more difficult to locate historical archives, "the statement said.
Jardine was shocked by the lack of knowledge about her illness and said that people should think about it, not just for themselves, but for their families.
"If you do not care about your life, take care of your family. Your children will kiss you, your wife will wash your clothes, expose them to you, "she said.
In a particularly devastating incident, the Narooma woman remembers being confronted by a worker who is renovating her house.
"I told him," you should wear protective clothing, there could be asbestos, "he told me that he did not believe in this" BS "", has said Mrs. Jardine.
"I'm dying, and you tell me it does not exist?" Said Mrs. Jardine to the man.
TO STAY POSITIVE
Mrs. Jardine did not let the death sentence stop her.
She and her husband Mick have traveled to New Zealand, Tasmania and the Kimberley in recent years and are planning a cruise on the east coast.
"We have friends who call our house our" holiday home, "laughed Ms. Jardine.
Between this and the constant flow of weddings, baptisms, 21st Anniversaries and preschool Christmas concerts Mrs. Jardine has a lot to live on.
"Please, do not be complacent," she warned.
"There is no test possible, as cancer detection by asbestos takes so long that the community must remain vigilant," she said.
If you have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, Bernie Banton Foundation operate a 24/7 telephone support service: 1800 031 731.
Contact the reporter: [email protected]
© Nine Digital Pty Ltd 2018
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