Cancer is a painful disease. The thought of being diagnosed with it overwhelms even the healthiest of people. However, learning that you have a rare form of cancer stemming from asbestos can be devastating. Mesothelioma is the kind of cancer you can get from prolonged asbestos exposure. Microfibers of the substance settle in your lungs as you inhale them over time. So, anywhere between 10 to 50 years, you start developing symptoms. Before you seek treatment, it is essential to understand your condition. Health literature can help you cope with it better, but it can help you prepare what to expect. With better preparation, you’ll be more receptive to your treatment. Here’s what you need to know about asbestos-related cancer:
1. There is Hope for You
Mesothelioma is one of the most aggressive forms of cancer to exist. It doesn’t have an immediate cure, but you can manage symptoms. Your doctor may put you on cancer treatments and oral medication to help you with the pain as they try to contain the disease. However, if you feel scared or nervous, that is natural. It’s not easy dealing with a condition of such magnitude. So, if you can find ways to elevate your pain, go for it.
2. You Can Use the Legal Route
If the cancer is a consequence of poor working conditions, you can file an asbestos mesothelioma lawsuit against your employer. Companies that use asbestos in their products or processes need to be held accountable for the risk they expose their employees to without providing them proper protection and information. Suppose you manage to build a solid case. The monetary compensation you receive will help you take care of your medical bills and other treatment needs. Most mesothelioma cases often succeed since no manufacturer can defend themselves from using asbestos in their products. However, you should try and avoid going for a trial. This is because not only can trials get tricky, but guilty employers can try to delay them. Settlement cases are much faster and a safer bet for you.
3. Find Yourself a Specialist
Don’t visit a generic oncologist for treatment. The care and time you’ll need for this disease can only come from a specialist. When you start your treatment, you need to know what to expect. Will you need surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation? You will also need to understand how you can balance mesothelioma and your new lifestyle. Under a specialist’s guidance, you’ll get your answers. While a good specialist might be expensive, it is worth it for your health.
4. Work on Your Diet
Diseases are already very physically taxing, and an aggressive form of cancer is even more. So, with a slight modification of your diet, you can help yourself live a relatively healthier life. Modifying your diet means not just avoiding starvation but giving your body the nutrients it needs to recover. It also means consuming food that you can digest quickly. A good diet also gives you the stamina to get up and move every day. This is immensely helpful since you don’t want your condition to deteriorate so fast that it begins to immobilize you.
5. Go for Alternate Treatments
Doctors usually prescribe medication for pain management during treatments. These painkillers can get very addictive quickly. However, just because you’re going for one type of treatment doesn’t mean you can’t try other options. Maybe you may like acupuncture, massage, or even visiting a hospice to help you recover. When it comes to individual recovery, you need to find what works for you. So, don’t hesitate to continue new treatment options if they make you feel better.
6. Move Out of Your House
Asbestos is present in our homes. This means if you have an old house, there is a chance that the flooring and ceiling materials contain asbestos. Unless you can hire a professional to remove the substance from your home, your best bet is to move into a new one. Recovery includes the absence of microfibers. You want to give yourself a fair shot at getting better, not by inhaling more fibers as you work on treatment.
7. Find a Support Group
When battling a disease such as this one, it’s easy to feel isolated. People who haven’t dealt with cancer may have a hard time relating to you despite how noble their intentions are. When you seek a counseling group, you’re allowing yourself to heal emotionally and mentally too. The people you will sit and talk to will relate to you and share their stories about their treatment and journey. Your support group can be a significant source of motivation for you to get better. If you feel you aren’t ready to talk to people yet, you should look into one on one therapy instead. It doesn’t matter what route you take as long as you’re not isolating yourself. You should know that bottled-up anxiety can worsen your health mainly because you begin to overthink and start doing things that undermine your progress.
8. Look for Clinical Trials
Mesothelioma will be under trial until a cure is discovered. Clinical trials are both safe and valuable for you. They allow you to study your disease more deeply as well as help you see data first hand. You shouldn’t be afraid to opt for clinical trials. You never know if the new study and research are working better for you than the old one. While you sign up for clinical trials, you’re also looked after properly. This is because researchers need to ensure that their new medication isn’t aggravating your condition. So not only are you getting better medicine, but you’re also getting better care.
Wrap Up
While mesothelioma is a painful condition, you shouldn’t abandon hope. It is only your willpower and strength that will help you get through this. Always start by having the curiosity to learn more about your disease. It will help you follow the doctor and their advice better. If your condition is a result of your employer’s negligence, consider taking legal action. You will also need a mesothelioma specialist to help you get better. Never falter from expert advice. Finally, seek alternate treatment if you feel the medication is not enough. Participate in clinical trials, and despite what you hear, you deserve a chance to have a better life.