Steve Wride

Steve Wride was diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer in June of 2009. Remarkably, Steve continues to beat the odds, having survived for sixteen months and hearing from his doctors that his cancer has not progressed and is "stable." Linda and Steve share their battle with asbestos cancer on their blog, Doing Something Positive, and they offered to share Steve's battle in our Survivor Spotlight.

Steve and Linda's story begins in June, 2009. On June 18th, Linda wrote: I'm not sure exactly when it started - having flu-type symptoms (cough, breathlessness, loss of appetite) did not seem significant at the time - apart from the fact that it put a bit of a damper on our anniversary trip to Italy, but not enough to stop Steve climbing to the top of the Duomo in Florence!

She goes on to say that when Steve first visited a doctor complaining about his symptoms on returning home, the doctor thought it was some kind of virus, and told him to come back if nothing improved. Steve's symptoms did not go away, and back to the doctor he went. This time, a different doctor decided to do x-rays. A follow-up CT scan revealed that Steve had a pleural effusion, and would need a chest drain and a thorascopy. After that, he'd have to undergo a pleurodesis to repair the tissue in his pleura. Initially, Linda writes, Steve requested that these procedures be postponed for a few weeks - it was a very eventful period for the family. However, doctors advised against delay and his appointment was brought forward.

Steve spent four days in the hospital after the chest drain and pleurodesis operation, then returned the following week to have his stitches removed and hear the results of the biopsy taken at the same time. Linda was unable to be with him at that appointment, so Steve received his mesothelioma diagnosis alone. Traveling home later that day, Linda received a text which simply said "Talk about it later." Sensing that it was bad news, she called him immediately. Steve broke the news that he had been diagnosed with mesothelioma over the telephone.

Steve's family is familiar with mesothelioma. His father had died from the disease after being exposed to asbestos while working in the shipyards before Steve was born. However, Steve did not work in an industry where asbestos exposure was common. He suspects his exposure occurred in the early 1970s while working one vacation to create a large open-plan studio in the School of Architecture where he was a student. Asbestos was commonly used in educational buildings at that time to improve fire resistance. It is probable that knocking down partitions and removing ceiling tiles released asbestos fibers into the air, which he inhaled.

Steve - ever the optimist, with a great sense of humor - named his tumor "Leo." Linda writes "Leo, you better behave yourself..."

Sixteen months since diagnosis, Steve has endured three sessions of radiotherapy and six cycles of chemotherapy on a drug trial. He has exceeded the mesothelioma median survival rate odds.

"Leo is still stable and sleeping happily," Linda writes.

Throughout their journey with this disease, the couple has continued to make the most of life, taking trips and enjoying the company of their children and good friends. Linda and Steve share their journey on a blog to raise awareness of mesothelioma, in an attempt to "do something positive" despite receiving what many people would consider a death sentence. Their courage and candidness can only help others who are struggling with this disease.

Thank you to Steve and Linda Wride for sharing with us. You can continue to follow their story on their blog, Doing Something Positive.

More Information

For further information about chemoembolisation and other cancer treatments, visit our Mesothelioma Treatment section.