Mesothelioma Help Cancer News
Ask Jennifer: “Did Your Father Have Boundaries to His Treatments?”
After Dad had his surgery, a pleurectomy, in New York City, he arrived home and began his chemotherapy treatments. From the beginning, he promised me that he would fight, going as far as saying, “I don’t quit.” As far as I knew, he was open to every treatment possibility from the start. Little did I know that he initially had some doubts.
I was talking with Dad one evening while we were visiting and he told me that originally, he had made up his mind that he wasn’t having surgery. He would have agreed to do chemotherapy or other non-surgical treatments, but he wasn’t going to go the surgical route. This absolutely surprised me! I had no idea that he was thinking along those lines.
When I asked Dad what eventually changed his mind, he told me that when a total stranger found us to tell us about Dr. Pass and the pleurectomy, he knew that God was at work and that this was the path He wanted him to take. Dad was a man of such great faith, and this is a prime example.
Once the surgery and chemotherapy were completed, he was excited to be a part of a clinical trial at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, also in NYC. He said that if there was something more that could be done to help him, he was going to do it.
Having those initial feelings of doubt and dread are only natural. After all, it’s the fear of the unknown and having to deal with a lot of information in a short period of time. The best advice I can give anyone facing mesothelioma treatment decisions is to pray about it. Do your best not to be overwhelmed (easier said than done, I know) and weigh all your options, making the decisions that you feel are best for you or your loved one.
I am so proud of Dad and how his trust in God caused him to know no boundaries in how far he would go to beat mesothelioma. Even though the unknown is scary, God always will get you through. Dad’s example is one that I try to follow in my everyday life. Perhaps his mantra could have been, “There are no boundaries when you know God.”
Don’t Forget to Thank Your Mesothelioma Fundraiser Support Team
“It takes a village” to pull off a successful fundraiser or educational forum benefitting the mesothelioma community at large. So many people spend countless hours collecting donations, selling tickets, printing fliers, advertising. The list goes on and on. And it’s a list that you could not complete alone.
Volunteers are the backbone of an effective event and it is important to always recognize their contributions. These giving people who donate their time and energy never expect anything in return, but it is important to thank them. Without these individuals, you probably wouldn’t have been able to have as large on an impact on the community.
It’s not necessary to buy gifts or do anything extravagant. A simple note or card letting them know how much their help means to you can be more than enough. Write from the heart and they will feel it. Tell them what a difference they are making in the lives of so many people, and also invite them to help out with your next event!
Some people host a pizza party or ice cream social for their volunteers. This is also a nice idea. It’s a pleasant way to unwind and bond with others who hold mesothelioma fundraising close to their hearts. It’s also a good time to reflect on what you’ve accomplished together and brainstorm for your next event!
I greatly appreciate all of the help I have received from friends, family members, and strangers who have become friends. Thank you for being so kind. Please pray, and continue to “Believe in a cure!”
Family Came Together to Decide on Best Mesothelioma Treatment
Jennifer’s father was diagnosed with mesothelioma in January 2012. Today she reflects on those first few weeks when her family grappled with deciding the treatment plan.
Once we received Dad’s diagnosis of pleural mesothelioma, we knew that some decisions needed to be made and rather quickly at that. We were originally told that the best option was to have Dad evaluated to see if he was a candidate to have his right lung completely removed.
After a couple of days, we received information about the possibility of a different surgery, a pleurectomy, in which the lining of the lung would be removed, but everything possible would be done to save the lung itself. This opportunity would require travel to New York City. Chemotherapy was also an option.
My Dad, Mom, husband, and I wrestled with many questions as to how we should proceed. From the moment of the diagnosis, we all knew that this was not just Dad’s fight. We were all in this together. We knew that we would do everything that we could to work together to give Dad the best treatment possible and would stop at nothing. Giving up was never an option.
We did know, however, that the ultimate decision would be my father’s to make. We carefully weighed all the possibilities and prayed for guidance constantly. Finally, Dad decided that he would take the trip to NYC. This resulted in living there for two and a half weeks, followed by countless subsequent trips for a clinical trial and radiation which required a six week stay. Dad had the utmost confidence in his doctors and entire medical team, and so did the rest of us.
Having my family band together and rally around Dad was a great source of comfort and solace for all of us, I believe. He knew that he wasn’t alone, and the rest of us knew that we could turn to one another for reassurance. It’s never easy to go through tough times, but going through them with those you love the most helps to cushion the blow.
Remember, that even though you might have moments when you feel as though it’s you against the world, God is always with you and is on your side. Rely on Him and pray for strength for your loved ones.
Know more about Mesothelioma and how you can deal with it.
Listening Skills Are Important for Mesothelioma Patients
“What did you say?” is one of the most common phrases used today. Sometimes it is because you cannot hear someone, and sometimes it is because you are not listening to what is being said. Recently when talking with a mesothelioma patient it was apparent that she was distracted and not focused on our conversation. Clearly, she had other things going on in her head.
Mesothelioma is a life crisis, and proper communication is key to developing a care plan that is right for the patient and family. It is important for patients and their family to develop effective communication skills and to listen closely when working with the medical team. Effective listening is the primary component in effective communication.
Listening is a skill that people can work on in order to improve. It is a skill we actively use every day and we can improve on with practice. We process words at a rate of 400-500 per minute and speak at a rate of 135-175 words a minute, making listening a skill that needs concentration and practice.
[expert_info author=”Carl Rogers”]”Man’s inability to communicate is a result of his failure to listen effectively, skillfully, and with understanding to another person.” [/expert_info]The dictionary defines the verb ‘hear’ as: to perceive by the ear, as to hear sounds, to hear voices. Listen, the verb, is defined as “to give attention with the ear, attend closely for the purpose of hearing, to pay attention, heed.” Basically, listening is the ability to interpret.
Communication involves hearing and active listening. A study that was published in 1993 by Alessandra and Hunsaker states that, on average, most people retain only 25% of what they hear. That means 75% is forgotten, distorted, or simply misunderstood.
So how do we become better listeners? Some tips frequently noted are: remove distractions; focus on what is being said; be unselfconscious, that is having the ability to stop thinking about yourself during the conversation; be empathetic or find common ground with whomever you’re talking with.
When you and your loved one are working with your mesothelioma care team, listening skills are critical to ensure all issues are addressed and care is administered properly. Listening goes both ways. If you do not feel your doctor or team has heard your concerns, make sure to state them again and again until you are comfortable you have the information needed to move on. And be patient if the doctors do the same thing to you – it is just as important that they feel heard as well.
Ice Bucket Challenge: Why Didn’t I Think of That for Mesothelioma?
The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge has been everywhere on social media and in the news. The people who created this challenge have developed an innovative, creative, and fun way to raise awareness and funds for their favorite cause. In looking at it, I have to think, “Why didn’t I think of that?” The truth is, you can!
Sometimes, I think that, as fundraisers, we might be afraid to pursue something as big as the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge. We might wonder what will happen if it fails, if it is seen as a copy-cat type of thing, or if people choose not to participate. In all honesty, we will never know unless we try.
I happen to not be very creative (you can ask anyone!), so my new ideas are completely few and far between, but you might not be that way. Take a risk with your endeavors and think big. Contact me… I’m always happy to help out. You might just have the next big, viral fundraising idea on your hands!
Know more about Mesothelioma and how you can deal with it.
Free Mesothelioma Patient & Treatment Guide
We’d like to offer you our in-depth guide, “A Patient’s Guide to Mesothelioma,” absolutely free of charge.
It contains a wealth of information and resources to help you better understand the condition, choose (and afford) appropriate treatment, and exercise your legal right to compensation.
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