My wife is in hospital and the doctors are of an opinion that she suffers from asbestosis. She’s been coughing for almost a year now. Eventually our GP sent her for xrays and they discovered a lot of pleural fluid (fluid in chest). This was drained yesterday, a full 3 litres and it’s still flowing from a drain that was inserted. She grew up in an area where asbestos was mined for many years. According to what I’ve learned about this disease, it can be dormant for up to 40 years or longer. This must have happened to my wife because she left that area 46 years ago. Doctors are going to operate now to remove the effected portion of her left lung. I believe it’s going to be quite a severe operation and she will be kept in ICU for some time. It’s going to take a while for her to recover completely, if ever. Must say, after all that fluid was drained off, her breathing is a lot easier and the coughing has stopped.

Best of luck to your wife and you, Pieter. Sounds like a tough operation.

My prayers are with you and your wife, my friend.

My prayers are also with you and your wife Pieter. Best wishes, Steve

Sorry to hear that Pieter. I will pray for her.

I will keep you both in my thoughts.

Man that sucks big time. I wish her the best and hope she recovers quickly. I take the old wife in tomorrow for a biopsy on her breast. Hopeing for the best. Its hell to get old. Sending prayers you way mate.

Sorry about your wife, I hope she pulls through the operation alright and the best of luck to the both of you

Prayers coming your way…

Good grief! Stay strong, Pieter.

Terrible news… wishing good luck to you and your wife Pieter.

She will be glad she has you to help her though this. Give her your best for us.

That’s some bad news. Your both on my mind Pieter.

Prayers sent your way, Pieter. You both are in my thoughts.

Hope all goes well Pieter.

My thoughts are with you both, Pieter; best of luck!

Oh Pieter, I’m SO so sorry to hear about this, how terrible. Please give your wife my best wishes, I wish her all the luck in the world, and hope that the operation is a success with a swift and full recovery. All love to you both.

Pieter, I am very sorry to hear this. I am and will be sending prayers for her and you.

Pieter, my best wishes to you and your wife. I am sure she will pull through and you will both be stronger for it.

My dear friends, thank you so much for all the kind words. It means a lot to us. I’ve printed your messages and took it for my wife. She was pleasantly surprised and it showed on her face! Today she went back to the operating room for an open biopsy of the lung. It seems as if the doctors are still in doubt about the case. What we do know is that it’s not virulent or malignant, which ever way it’s said. Thank you all once more, we really appreciate your concern

@ Pieter, Your English is far better then what I want to say, so please edit it:- Geagte Mev Claassen, Ek weet jy sal al OK. Ons op SnuffHouse is trek jy deur. John in die Verenigde Koninkryk…

Hey John, you’ve got me in tears!! Thanks, my brother.

Bloody hell Pieter! I’m really sorry about that. My thoughts and prayers are with you both. Stefan

Not malignant!?! That in itself is great news mate. I know its still ging to be a tough road and she will still have a hard time of it. But not being malignant truly is good news. You know we will be thinking of both of you in our prayers. I keep coming back to snuffhouse to check for updates. Please keep us informed.

Prayers and thoughts with you my friend.

At last, good news. Doctor phoned me just now, my wife might be home by tomorrow. They’ve made quite sure that it’s not malignant. According to the doctor there is nothing more to be done but just watch the situation carefully. I want to thank each and everyone of you once more for your support, it means a lot to us.

Thank God for that Pieter. Glad she looks to be ok and on the way home. Stefan

You both are in my thoughts, glad you’ve some good news, Pieter

Thats wonderfull news. how bout it…the power of prayer. Sometimes he listens.

Oh! now that is good news Pieter, don’t you spend too much time on here when you get her home. You just look after the lady until she is 100% again.

Thats great news Pieter, I hope all is back to normal soon in the Claassen house.

Great news Pieter, as you can see you have all of our very best wishes, prayers and thoughts.

OH! don’t want to sidetrack Pieters thread but the wifes lump was not malingent. carry on

Thank God for that as well, must have been a nightmare waiting. I’ve just taken a large pinch in honour of that (not that I need much encouragement)

PP, so glad to hear good news form your side as well. Snuff is good medicine

So glad to hear, PP & Pieter! Best wishes for a good recovery for all!

I’ve been holding out on commenting here, because I never know the right things to say when people are hurting. I’m very glad for your wonderful news and hope things continue to improve dramatically! God be with you both.

Happy to hear that, Pieter and PP!

Good to hear! My mother just had a tumor the size of an orange removed from her ovary so I (sort of) know how you feel.

Wonderful news, Pieter! Now it’s time to pamper her back to health, I’m sure you’re up to the job! x

Great news Pieter. All the best.