Life with a Mesothelioma Diagnosis
A mesothelioma diagnosis can be scary and it will certainly lead to many changes in your life. There will be physical and emotional drains as well as a change to routines. There will also be plans that need to be made about work and the process of making a compensation claim for exposure to asbestos.
Dealing With Depression
Depression is felt by many after a mesothelioma diagnosis. Finding out prognosis information can lead to feelings of sadness and anger. There can be a lack of motivation to do anything and it may be difficult to get up in the morning. Seeking help from a counselor and possibly trying some medication can help with depression. Reaching out to others who have also experienced a mesothelioma diagnosis is one of the best ways to stay connected and stave off depression.
Taking Care of Yourself
Trying to stay as healthy as possible will help improve your life with mesothelioma. Speak with a dietician for tips on eating healthy food. There may be certain foods that will be best for your situation. Exercise is also very important. Talk to your doctor about what exercises will be best for you. Everyone is different and has a different history with exercise. Physical activity can enhance your mood, reduce tiredness, and help with circulation.
Consider looking into massage, acupuncture, and other therapies to complement your medical treatments. These therapies can help you to relax, decrease stress, control anxiety, and aid in improving mood. Talk to your doctor about any therapies that you are thinking about trying to make sure that your doctor agrees that it would be a good fit.
Intimate Relationships
Mesothelioma treatment can affect fertility, so speak with your doctor if having children is important to you. Having sex may not always be possible while going through treatment, but staying close to your partner will be very important for your relationship. If sex is possible, your doctor may advise you to use contraception to avoid pregnancy and also discuss other precautions that may be advisable.
Managing Mesothelioma
The frequency of check-ups will increase after a mesothelioma diagnosis. Your doctor will decide how often check-ups will be needed, but it is generally every six to eight weeks. A physical exam will be done and CT scans will also be arranged periodically to check on the mesothelioma activity. Always contact your doctor right away if you notice any side effects from treatments. Even if your condition is responding well to treatment, it is likely that mesothelioma will become active again. Whenever this happens, your doctor will decide which treatment to use to provide you relief from the symptoms and try to control the disease. Radiation, chemotherapy, surgery, drugs, and palliative treatment may all be used.
