Asbestos is a dangerous material containing a few minerals with carcinogenic properties. Asbestos was common in houses in the USA between the 1950s and the 1970s due to its heat-proof properties. Asbestos can cause a wide range of diseases, among which mesothelioma is the most common. Mesothelioma is a rare asbestos-related disease caused by prolonged exposure to asbestos. Such a type of cancer occurs when an individual inhales or absorbs asbestos fibers, leading to a cancerous growth forming on the lining of the heart, stomach, or lungs. Furthermore, the average life expectancy of a mesothelioma patient is approximately one year. Whenever someone’s diagnosed with mesothelioma, let alone any cancer type, they go through the most challenging times of their life. However, that doesn’t mean you should give up hope! While no amount of money can replace mental and physical well-being, compensation will allow you to finance your treatment or provide you with financial security for the people you leave behind. So, without waiting any further, let us look at the steps you must take to handle a mesothelioma diagnosis better.
- Get In Touch With Your Doctor
Consult with your doctor if you have symptoms related to mesothelioma. Your primary care physician will provide you with an assessment of cancer. The good news is sometimes, signs might be down to something else, as mesothelioma is a rare type of cancer and requires prolonged asbestos exposure to develop. Symptoms don’t usually show until twenty to fifty years after exposure to this cancerous mineral
If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma recently, it would be wise to get more info about this disease. In addition, your doctor will likely keep you under observation and discuss treatment options with you. So, get in touch with your doctor if you think you were exposed to asbestos in the past and symptoms start to show up.
2. Hire A Reputable Lawyer Attorney
If you’re recently diagnosed with mesothelioma and have consulted your doctor, the next thing to do would be to hire a lawyer. Doing such a thing will allow you to file your mesothelioma case promptly. After all, there is a particular time limit to filing medical-related claims. The two primary mesothelioma lawsuits types are personal injury and wrongful death claims.
However, you’ll only be eligible for a claim if you can provide documentation and proof that backs your diagnoses, including employment records, history of exposure to asbestos, medical reports, etc. So, get in touch with a competent lawyer hiring if your employer was at fault and exposed you to asbestos at the workplace.
3. Research Your Treatment Options
When mesothelioma develops and affects your lungs, it will be difficult to reverse the lung damage caused. You can always research your treatment options to make your life a little comfortable and better. Opting for the treatment will enable you to manage pain and symptoms and slow down cancer growth, which will prolong your life for a few more years.
If mesothelioma has scarred your lungs, your oncologist might recommend oxygen therapy to improve breathing. In addition, your doctor will suggest that you quit smoking to avoid further damage. However, the proper treatment options will depend on the stage and severity of your tumor. For instance, surgery will be off the table if the cancer is in its 3rd stage. However, radio or chemotherapy will prevent your cancer from spreading to other organs.
4. Search For A Local Support Network
A mesothelioma diagnosis will affect you physically as well as mentally. Therefore, searching for support and help from your friends and family is vital to cancer recovery. It’s natural to feel down and low after receiving your diagnosis. However, contact a cancer social worker if you don’t have friends or family members you can lean on for support.
Moreover, a mesothelioma support group is also an excellent option. In fact, you can go online and search for a few of these support groups. They’ll allow you to interact and communicate with patients who are already suffering from the same medical conditions.
5. Prepare Yourself For Treatment
Mesothelioma treatment will be immensely harsh on your body. Therefore, you’ll have to keep your mind and body strong for what’s to come. Hence, exercise and a nutritious diet will be critical here. For instance, when going for radiation therapy or chemotherapy, or a combination of both, you’ll undoubtedly experience a few side effects. However, if you’re exercising and eating a healthy diet regularly, you’ll have a better chance of dealing with the side effects of mesothelioma treatment.
Receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis may break your will. That said, the steps mentioned in this article will help you out with what you must do after being diagnosed. However, you should prioritize one thing the most- spending time with family, friends, and people that matter! So, surround yourself with individuals who support you and love you during such a testing time.
