Mesothelioma Help Cancer News
Tips for Helping to Keep Mesothelioma Patients’ Spirits Up
When you or a loved one are undergoing treatment for mesothelioma, it is an easy thing to do to start to feel down. Keeping your spirits up can help everything to go more smoothly. While my Dad was having surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, his spirits were great 99.9% of the time. Sometimes, it felt like he was the one keeping me smiling as he always did!
Here are some ways Dad kept his spirits high and some things that have worked for me over the past couple of years:
- Pray. It’s as simple as that.
- Get involved in the mesothelioma community. Sharing what you and your loved ones are going through with others who really understand is such a comfort. It reminds you that, even when you feel at your lowest point, you are not alone in this fight.
- Share stories and watch home movies. It’s so much fun to watch those funny moments back. It’s a time to reminisce and laugh at yourselves. Those funny clothes we all wore are, in themselves, definitely enough to get a chuckle or two out of everyone watching.
- Plan ahead. Talk about upcoming events that will happen after the treatment is over. If you don’t have anything going on, plan something! A picnic, a day trip, anything that you and your family enjoy doing together. Dad was always looking forward to the next thing, and it was a shining example of heroism.
Even though these activities can serve as wonderful distractions from the problem at hand, it’s also important to let the one with mesothelioma sort of lead the conversation and activity level. Just because these things were helpful for my family, doesn’t necessarily mean they will be for yours. You have to read the situation and find a healthy balance that works for you. The important thing is to not let the drama and sadness overtake you. There is still much to live and work for… God will get you through!
Vacations Are a Good Time to Raise Awareness of Mesothelioma
Summertime is, for most people, a time to relax and recharge. It brings about a time to travel and vacation with your loved ones and forget about your cares for a while. Unfortunately, mesothelioma waits for no one. Those impacted by this disease constantly have it in the back (or forefront) of their minds. Remember that just because you are on vacation, it doesn’t mean that you have to stop advocating.
First off, pray. Visit a Church while you’re off on your journey and add your loved one and all those with mesothelioma to their prayer list. God is everywhere and will hear your prayers.
Talk to people you meet on the way. When you start to talk about your family and life in general, carefully bring up mesothelioma and explain to them how it’s impacted your life and what they could do to help out. It’s also a great way to spread awareness to those who may have no clue what mesothelioma is.
Lastly, if your loved one is not traveling with you, be sure to check on them periodically. Let them know that you’re thinking about them. Tell them about your trip and that you can’t wait to see them when you get home.
Mesothelioma is a disease that can halt everything in your life. Don’t let it stop you from enjoying every day, as hard as it may seem, but also try not to forget those struggling with this heartbreaking diagnosis. Take a little time every day to pray for a cure… you can do that anywhere!
Open Letter to Mesothelioma Patients and Families: Keep the Faith
Dear Family and Friends,
With an unpredictable disease like mesothelioma, there will be many ups and downs. Sometimes, the ups are so high that it doesn’t seem like mesothelioma was ever a part of our lives. Other times, the downs are so low that we don’t see how anyone could ever come back from them.
That’s the tricky thing about life with or without mesothelioma. We never know what will happen in the future. It’s hard, but it’s best to take every day as it comes. If we spend too much time dwelling on those “what-ifs”, we will miss out on all the wonderful things happening right now!
Uncertainty is a precarious thing; there are two ways to react to it. One, we can focus on the possibility of a negative outcome. Two, we can recognize that we have no idea what will happen and pray for the best while enjoying our time here on earth.
One of my favorite Saints, Padre Pio, said, “Pray, hope, and don’t worry. Worry is useless. God is merciful and will hear your prayer.” Try to follow his advice. Pray for your loved one. Hope for the best outcome and think positively. And lastly, try your best not to worry. This might seem easier said than done, but it truly gets you nowhere and can only cause more stress to you and those around you. God will hear your prayers as He always does and will take care of everything according to His perfect plan.
My prayers are with you always,
Jen
Mesothelioma Patients and Their Families are Their Own Best Advocates
Many times and in many situations in life, you are your biggest advocate. No one knows you better. No one understands your needs more clearly. In a fight with mesothelioma, the patient themselves with their loved ones are their greatest, most aggressive supporters.
When facing a diagnosis with any kind of illness, it’s important to recognize the importance of knowledge. The more you learn about the disease, the more equipped you are to battle it effectively. Doctors and medical staff will present you with a lot of information and the latest research and statistics. Figuring out what to do with it is up to you.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed with medical jargon that sounds like another language. Take the time to ask questions and research what it really means in everyday terms. Once you’ve deciphered a little about what it all means, dig deeper. Weigh all your options and decide what is best for you personally.
You will get a lot of differing opinions and advice about the best courses of treatment. Remember, no one can force you into doing anything that you aren’t 100% comfortable with. Pray about it and stand up for yourself. Do what you know is best for you and your health.
If you are a family member, help your loved one sort through all the material, facts, and figures and support them in whatever they decide. Sometimes, you might need to use a little tough love to help them, but it will be worth it in the end. Be sure not to lose faith and place everything in God’s hands.
Mesothelioma Nurse to Another: “Thanks for All Your Hard Work”
Mary Hesdorffer is the Executive Director of the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, and is a tireless advocate for mesothelioma patients and their families. The mission of the Meso Foundation is to support patients and to fund research leading to a cure for mesothelioma.
Mary has been an advocate for the mesothelioma community for many years. She is passionate about her patients, and thousands have benefitted from her support and knowledge. Mary is a leader and a personal inspiration to patients, caregivers and fellow nurses. She is always available and approachable – and most importantly, she knows the answers to your mesothelioma questions (or will get it for you).
Today, while looking for the right way to spell her name, I came across an exciting new project that Mary has completed. She has written the first-ever booklet on clinical trials for mesothelioma. Clinical trials are the way that mesothelioma researchers are going to eventually be able to cure mesothelioma. In the United States, less than five percent of cancer patients participate in clinical trials.
Educating patients and their families about clinical trials is imperative to future treatment modalities, and for refining the ones that we currently have. One of the barriers to mesothelioma research has been patients and treatment centers not knowing what is available. Which studies are enrolling patients, what the criteria for the studies might be and the clinical trial phases are all key pieces of information patients and doctors need to know to find an appropriate trial. All of this information is available on www.clinicaltrials.gov, but many people are intimidated by the site or just aren’t sure what to look for.
Mary has simplified the search process and made the booklet easy to understand. Hopefully, her efforts will lead to increased knowledge and participation.
Navigating the medical system when dealing with any condition can be challenging, but when you or someone you love is diagnosed with mesothelioma it can be totally overwhelming. The information that you find might not be up to date. It is important to go to a mesothelioma center and be seen by a team that specializes in mesothelioma. While doing your research look at the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation’s website, www.curemeso.org, download the booklet, view the past conferences, and know that the organization is dedicated to support and research for a cure.
Mary Hesdorffer is a true mesothelioma hero. Thank you, Mary, for all your hard work and tireless dedication to the mesothelioma community.
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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