Mesothelioma Help Cancer News
Nurse Learns From Mesothelioma Survivors
As a nurse, I ask my mesothelioma patients many questions. The ones that pop into my mind are what was their asbestos exposure, and are they starting treatment or are they back for more treatments. If they have previously been treated and are back for a follow- up appointment, I try to find out to what they attribute their survival.
The definition of a survivor is the state or fact of continuing to exist, typically in spite of an accident, ordeal or difficult circumstances. Mesothelioma is right up there with the most difficult of circumstances. I am always fascinated by what helps keep mesothelioma patients alive and getting out of bed every day.
One woman said she simply follows the instructions of her physicians. Sometimes these are the most basic like walking, taking multivitamins, and eating a healthy diet. I sat with a patient who had mesothelioma seven years ago and she told me that she just tries to focus on the positive. She focuses on her breathing and her last scan that was negative for any recurrence. She stays in the moment and tries to improve on areas that are not as strong. She told me she goes to therapy. This women does not want to be defined by her mesothelioma, but by her actions. She is out and about on social media helping people out with their own personal journeys.
I met another patient yesterday who had an attitude of gratitude. It was really surprising, and he was so happy just to be alive. He could only say nice things about his medical team. And most of all he had plans for the future. He has a birthday coming soon and he plans to be home for that. This particular patient had many, many setbacks and has experienced all the emotions that one can endure. At one point during his hospitalization he refused to get out of bed and walk. This guy was negative early on, but today, he too is a survivor.
I am fascinated to find out what makes people survivors. There are many answers and there no wrong ones. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, and you are living with this disease, guess what? -you are a survivor.
We are very interested to know what makes you a survivor. Please share with us and let us know your success story.
Feel free to contact us with your story or with any questions you may have about your mesothelioma treatment.
Finding and Giving Comfort
The natural reaction of the human spirit is to try to help others when they are upset or in pain. When you hear of the loss of a loved one, you immediately want to comfort those closest to them… even when you are one of the closest.
When Dad passed away, telling our family members and friends was emotionally draining. It made it more and more real with each phone call. Even though avoidance wasn’t an option, hearing the reactions of others was brutal. Keeping with that natural response, our first instinct was to comfort them. Then we realized that we needed comforting ourselves, that we couldn’t really help anyone else through this time until we grieved personally.
Don’t get me wrong, I understand how important my Dad was to so many. It was just impossible for me to try to help ease anyone else’s pain until I had my own under control in some way. There is no concrete time table for this, mourning a loss is a very individual experience.
Others came and went from the house and the funeral home and Church, offering prayers and condolences. When you experience a tragic loss, it’s important to remember that everyone is doing the best they can, and may not know what to say. They try to be in tune with what you might need, but everyone goes through a time like this differently, so be patient with them. Some things people say might come off as insensitive, but remember that they may just feel awkward and unsure of how to approach you.
Never be afraid to let others know how you are feeling or if you need something. People genuinely are there to be of help; guessing what you may need is the hard part for them. When my family and friends saw me for the first time after Dad passed, they didn’t know what to expect. You need to give others a chance to process your reaction as well, as they will normally try to follow your lead.
Pray for the family who has lost someone and be sure to check in on them from time to time. Let them guide the conversation and be supportive and genuine throughout. They may not be able to say it at the moment, but they really do appreciate all you’re doing for them.
Mesothelioma Specialists Focus on the Patient
Everyone who faces mesothelioma also faces a myriad of choices for treatment. There are many scientists and doctors who have dedicated their careers to help curing this devastating disease. There are different thoughts on how to treat the disease and the patient, and new ideas and approaches are constantly being tested and investigated. Rather than one treatment being the “silver bullet” for mesothelioma, it is thought that depending on stage, cell type of the disease, and performance status of the patient, the treatment be tailored to the patient. The treatment options include chemotherapy, surgery, radiation, as well as less aggressive options to just treat the symptoms.
The scientific process is a rigorous one that involves checks and balances. When searching for a treatment center for an opinion on mesothelioma, remember each center has an expert who has researched extensively, studied many patients and results, written scientific papers, and is an expert in the field.
Recently there has been controversy over whether extrapleural pneumonectomy, an operation to remove the entire lung, as opposed to a pleurectomy, an operation to remove the lining of the lung but spare the lung, is the best treatment option for the mesothelioma patients. There has been much discussion and as the discussion continues in the scientific community patients can wonder if they have chosen the right path. The mesothelioma patient and family can become confused as to what the best option is, and if their choices are the right ones for them.
Confusing claims and technical discussions can lead to questioning the treatment plan. Although progress is slow and research is ongoing it is vital for the relationship between the patient, family and their team of doctors to all know they are working for the best interest and best treatment options for the patient.
The discussions regarding all the treatment options for mesothelioma being presented by your medical team are all meant to offer the best approaches with the best interest of the mesothelioma patient at the center of the discussion.
Know more about Mesothelioma and how you can deal with it.
MesotheliomaHelp Essay Contest Raise Awareness to College Students
Several months ago, I was asked to judge this year’s Mesothelioma Help scholarship essay contest. I immediately said yes, what a wonderful way to give back! Then, I was told they would like to name the scholarship for my father, and I was floored. What a beautiful honor and tribute to my Dad. I can just hear him now saying that he had made the big time! I was elated to find that this accolade would be shared with Jan Egerton, another beautiful person that I was privileged to communicate with, who lost her battle to mesothelioma over this year.
The Jan Egerton and Don Smitley Mesothelioma Scholarship will be awarded to ten students from colleges and universities across the United States. The awards range from $5,000 to $100. The essays will be judged by me and Lisa Hyde-Barrett, a thoracic surgery nurse.
The underlying goal of this scholarship is to help the educational efforts of students while raising awareness of mesothelioma and the dangers of asbestos. What a wonderful way to get the younger community involved and to educate them about this terrible disease! With the annual number of deaths caused by mesothelioma increasing, we need more advocates to fight for those who suffer from it and those who love them.
Students may choose from three topics:
- A mesothelioma survivor’s story.
- The history of asbestos use in America
- The latest developments in the treatment of mesothelioma.
For more details on the contest, please visit: Jan Egerton and Don Smitley Mesothelioma Scholarship.
I look forward to reading the wonderful submissions this year and to helping more youth become involved in the fight against mesothelioma. My hope is that many eyes will be opened and our number of supporters will vastly increase. Best of luck to all and God bless you!
Dealing With a “Different Me” Since Losing Dad to Mesothelioma
After my Dad was diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, people said there was something “different” about me. They were absolutely right. My whole world had been changed and turned upside down. We had just been told that my amazing father had an incurable disease; there was an instant change in my entire family.
I had always been a worrier, but even the care-free side of myself began to be plagued by a constant sense of apprehension. What would happen next? What would the results of the next scan be? How would Dad feel after his treatments? It seems like millions of questions filled my head. With this on mind, it’s easy to see why I was different.
It seemed as though people seemed to get used to that initial kind of different. They learned to accept that I just had a lot on my mind, and did their best to help me through it. Then, my Dad lost his battle to mesothelioma.
After Dad passed away, I went through a time where I had no idea what to think or feel. When asked the age old question, “How are you?” I often replied with “Ok, doing the best I can,” or “Taking it one day at a time.” The platitude of the day changed periodically. I found that it was impossible for me to express how I was, because I wasn’t sure myself! Finally, people started to ask if I was okay, and I began to say that I wasn’t, but that someday, I would be.
Even though it’s not “ok” that I lost my Dad, I have to find a way to make myself be all right. There are days and things that trigger me to break down, but I have realized that I have to pick myself back up again. Dad would never have wanted me to be upset, especially with the faith that he is in Heaven.
I am a very different person now than I was two and a half years ago. I have watched my family be shaken to its core, but rise up untied and strong. I have experienced a loss so profound that I find it difficult to put it into words. These kinds of things will change a person, you just have to choose to let it change you for the better.
I think that this whole experience has made me much more aware of the suffering of others, and hopefully allows me to be more helpful and in tune with their needs. I am much more mindful that there is no guarantee of tomorrow for any one of us, and that we need to make the most of each day God gives us. This “different me” has felt intense pain that has made me stronger.
Remember that it’s okay to change with the seasons of your life. Everyone has a journey that they must travel and your response to it is as unique as your life itself. Rely on God to help you transition smoothly over the bumps in the road and never lose faith.
Know more about Mesothelioma and how you can deal with it.
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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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