The aftermath of a mesothelioma diagnosis can be highly emotional, typically characterized by shock, denial, fear, anxiety, sadness, anger, frustration, and feelings of isolation. After the initial shock dissipates, it becomes crucial to tackle the situation one day at a time and take several steps that can enhance the quality of life post-diagnosis.
Interpreting your Diagnosis
Mesothelioma is a rare, aggressive form of cancer that originates from the thin tissue layer known as the mesothelium, which covers several internal organs. The most frequent manifestation is in the pleura, the lungs’ lining, but it can also develop in the pericardium (heart), peritoneum (abdomen), and the tunica vaginalis, which lines the testicles. Nearly all mesothelioma cases result from asbestos exposure.
Asbestos, a mineral frequently used in construction, shipbuilding, and heavy industries during the 20th century, can cause severe harm over time when its fibers are inhaled or ingested. Symptoms typically don’t emerge until 20 to 50 years after exposure. Given its rarity and complexity, mesothelioma should be diagnosed or confirmed at least, by a specialist experienced in asbestos-related diseases. It is common and beneficial for patients to seek second opinions in complicated or unusual cancer cases as it provides reassurance, additional insights, and more advanced treatment choices. Understanding your mesothelioma type, its progression, and available treatment alternatives will inform every subsequent decision regarding clinical care, support services, and often legal and financial considerations.
Developing a Treatment Plan with a Specialist
The direction of your treatment depends on the cancer’s progression, location, cell type, and your overall health. The most commonly used first-line treatment is chemotherapy, especially drugs like pemetrexed and cisplatin. Immunotherapy might be considered for those unsuitable for chemotherapy or those who have completed initial treatment. Surgery is another potential option, though its feasibility depends on the cancer’s spread and the patient’s overall health status.
Radiotherapy could also be offered, particularly for pain management or improving breathing. The treatment’s goal may vary; extending life expectancy or reducing symptoms for some, while aggressive treatment might aim to remove or shrink tumors, particularly in early-stage patients. Your healthcare consultant should discuss the treatment approach in detail, providing ample time to ask questions and consider options. If you didn’t receive a referral to a specialist center, ask for one.
Navigating Available Support Services
Enduring this journey alone is not necessary, and usually, it is not a requirement. Numerous organizations offer access to clinical nurse specialists, actionable advice, and bespoke resources for patients and their families. Support groups, whether online or offline, can be very helpful, offering a safe space to speak with others who share the same diagnosis, exchange experiences, and ask challenging questions that are often hard to bring up in clinical settings.
Understanding Your Legal Rights
Given that mesothelioma generally results from exposure to a known hazardous substance, several patients are eligible for compensation through government schemes, civil actions against prior employers, or insurance companies, and in certain cases, asbestos trust funds. Several compensation avenues are available in countries like the UK, including the Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme, Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB), and a lump sum compensation under the Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers’ Compensation) Act. Specialist lawyers can guide through the process, though it’s crucial to move fast, as these claims are time-sensitive. Mesothelioma compensation is often a valuable help for family members, covering loss of income, care costs, travel to hospital and providing a sense of closure.
Focusing on What Matters Most
After a mesothelioma diagnosis, life may seem like it comprises mostly of paperwork, appointments, and crucial decisions. However, once you’ve ensured the essentials – medical care, support, legal advice – it’s crucial to ask, what matters most now? It could mean different things to different people; it could mean spending quality time with loved ones, ensuring financial stability, or possibly planning ahead. What’s crucial is that you channel your resources towards attaining what’s most important to you.
Though mesothelioma is a grave illness, even amidst the uncertainty it brings, you can take control and access the necessary care, compensation, and spend less time searching for answers and more time on what matters most to you.
