Nathan’s story with silicosis

On the 7th of February 2022 at the age of 32 Nathan and his family received the devastating news that Nathan had been diagnosed with a terminal illness chronic silicosis caused by his 15-year career as a stonemason. It was at this same time that Nathan was advised by the doctors he immediately had to stop work and was unlikely to be able to work again given the severity of his condition.

“Silicosis is caused by inhaling crystalline silica dust which is a substance found in certain types of stone, rock, sand, and clay and engineered stone products not unlike Caesarstone used in creating amazing benchtops like those used in kitchens & bathrooms. There is no cure for Silicosis and once the damage is done it cannot be reversed, treatment focusses on slowing progression and relieving symptoms. Many people have been impacted by Silicosis.”

Nathan knew from an early age that he wanted to be a stonemason and worked very hard for long hours to achieve his goal within the industry as a respected and reputable tradesman. As a husband and father Nathan has struggled to come to terms with not being able to work and support his family as he has done for the last 13 years. Nathans wife Tamara had to step up as the sole income provider working full time as a nurse in a day procedure clinic so they can support their 5 children, toddlers Colton 1 and Ellie-May 3, Summer 11 & Matilda 12 both in high school and Tahleah 17 seeking work.

This past year has been extremely traumatic, emotional, and financially draining with countless hospital visits, procedures and follow up appointments with doctors and specialists and as most are in Melbourne CBD Nathan and his family who live in rural Victoria (near Ballarat) travel long distances back and forth. His wife Tamara has taken numerous days off work to support Nathan and take Nathan to and from these events as well as organize logistics for their 2 school age children and look after the toddlers.

Days can be unpredictable for Nathan sometime breathless and unable to be physically active with his children and family and other days able to do a little however nothing like he did prior to this illness which has frustrated Nathan and put him under an immense amount of stress to the point where he now suffers seizures. In the next few weeks Nathan is due to have a lung lavage performed on his right lung as a hospital inpatient, this is in simple terms is a lung wash out but will involve Nathan being on a respirator and spending his post-op time in ICU for a few days. This will also necessitate his wife Tamara taking further time off work to take care of the children and take Nathan to and from the hospital and support him.

Anyone that knows Nathan and Tamara know that they are very independent people that have worked very hard to get where they are today and give all that they can to their 5 children and run a household. Nathan and Tamara are not people that ask for handouts or burden people with their issues so putting it out their and going public about Nathans illness and situation beyond family and close friends is a significant emotional burden but Nathan, Tamara and the family are up against it and struggling financially and could really do with some help.

The other personal driving factor for Nathan is to share his story and provide firsthand account and to educate the wider community on this illness so they have a better understanding about silicosis and the effects it has on a person and their family.