The statistics on lung disease are shocking, but a personal story can often have a greater impact. The British Lung Foundation has a large and varied case study database and we manage to meet most of the media’s requests. Below are just a few people’s experiences of living with lung disease.
Janet Egerton - mesothelioma
After being in pain for three years, Janet was finally diagnosed with the asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma in August 2004. She’d been rushed into hospital several times, but doctors couldn’t find out what was wrong with her and on one occasion her GP was even told that Janet was a time waster. Since then Janet has had chemotherapy and still has to take morphine to kill the pain. She can’t plan anything in advance as she never knows whether she’ll be well enough.
John Dickson - lung cancer
John doesn’t let having lung cancer affect his sense of humour and is always teasing the British Lung Foundation staff at the office where he volunteers. His GP became concerned when John started to have trouble breathing at the end of 2004. An X-ray showed a shadow on his right lung and John had to have part of his right lung removed. He is retired with five grown up children.
Ellen Smith - bronchiectasis
Ellen had part of her left lung removed when she was a student nurse after being diagnosed with TB. In her 40s she was diagnosed with asthma and developed bronchitis every winter. She now has bronchiectasis, but has found that taking part in specialist exercise classes for people with lung disease has helped improve her quality of life. Ellen used to have panic attacks and be afraid of feeling out of breath, but now she can run for the bus.
