What is the truth, my dad thought he knew. It may have killed him

When the truth changes

Sometimes the truth is easy. Sometimes the truth is difficult to understand. I learned early on in my life that truth is not something that is always easy to spot.

I was six years old and my dad came home from work covered in what I thought was dust. I asked my dad, “what is all of that stuff in your hair and on your clothes?”My dad responded, “this is asbestos, it’s what we use to insulate pipes on the job. don’t worry everyone says it’s safe.”

Fast forward to 1995 and my dad retired from his job due to several health issues.

My dad with me after graduating from Eastern Michigan University

My dad suffered from shortness of breath, coughing, clots in his legs, and much more. My dad was diagnosed with Mesothelioma.

It wasn’t until 2009 that my dad has a massive stroke and lived out the remainder of his life in several nursing homes paralyzed on one side of his body.

Visiting my dad in his nursing home.

The Mayo Clinic defines Mesothelioma as:

Mesothelioma is an aggressive and deadly form of cancer. Mesothelioma treatments are available, but for many people with mesothelioma, a cure isn't possible.

Doctors divide mesothelioma into different types based on what part of the mesothelium is affected. Mesothelioma most often affects the tissue that surrounds the lungs (pleura). This type is called pleural mesothelioma. Other, rarer types of mesothelioma affect tissue in the abdomen (peritoneal mesothelioma), around the heart and around the testicles.

So you may be asking yourself why would my dad have worked with such a dangerous substance.

My dad was told asbestos was not dangerous and to do his job.

According to asbestos.com, court documents provide irrefutable proof the asbestos industry leveraged its power and influence to keep workers and the public in the dark about the hazards of asbestos. Dozens of companies are implicated in the decades-long cover-up.

I was shocked (not really) to learn that there was proof that asbestos was dangerous to the body as early as the 1920s.

According to WebMD, The first cases of asbestos-related illnesses were recorded in 1924 in the British Medical Journal. As a result, the British government enacted regulations on dust to protect factory workers.

My dad didn’t question the safety of asbestos until it was too late.

My dad at a nursing home in Metro Detroit

My dad was told, “the truth” that asbestos was fine and was not harmful. That truth turned out to be a deadly lie. While visiting my dad in the nursing home he often asked me if I could go to the house and get his shotgun and end it all.

He would tell me about Jack Kevorkian and how no one should have to suffer away in a nursing home like he had to do.

The picture below was taken just minutes before my dad died. I was fortunate enough to be able to hold his hand and kiss him on the forehead to say one final goodbye.

My dad dies minutes after this picture was taken as I hold his hand during his last breath.

Many people always tell me, “All I want is the truth?” I often counter, “what is the truth, do we really know” One plus one equals two. That will always be the truth. There have been many instances in the history of the world when the truth changes.

I write this to bring you more insight into my dad and into my past. This is just one of the reasons why there are only a few people in my life that I trust.

I am a journalist but more importantly a person who cares. My job is to question absolutely everything and not take any canned press releases or statements at face value. My dad taught me to be real and to stand up for what I believe in and always question people, business, and the government’s “truth”

I will continue to do just that and always keep it real Bondy style.

Love you dad, David.

My dad’s funeral. Casket draped with American flag for his service.