Mesothelioma - When a loved one is diagnosed

Mesothelioma - When a loved one is diagnosed

 

The word "cancer" is about the last thing you want to hear when in the doctor's office. That said, there are some cancers that are worse than others. Rarely does anyone ever hear a diagnosis of mesothelioma, but it can be brutal for those who do find. This is particularly true when the patient is a loved one one.Mesothelioma [Me-as-th-ee-oh-lee-ma] is a cancer of the mesothelium. The mesothelium is a double layer is lubricated through the organs of the chest and abdomen. The mesothelium acts as protection for organs at the same time allowing them to move freely for the heart to beat, the lungs can inhale and so on.Mesothelioma is cancerous growths in this layer and is often associated with inhalation of asbestos at some point one of life.There really no way to sugarcoat a diagnosis of mesothelioma. Less than 10 percent of patients alive five years after initial diagnosis. Cancer is so difficult, because it is very difficult to diagnose until very late stages. It may take 30 to 50 years after exposure to asbestos before the disease manifests. By now, however, the patient's condition is often irreversible.So, what to do? What if her husband comes home with the news? There are no easy answers. The first step is to know your exact condition and possible courses of treatment. Doctors often tout conservative treatments for various health problems, but not with mesothelioma. The first step is often aggressive surgery to remove the affected areas, which may include the removal of a lung, the diaphragm and so on. The key is to support the patient. While the survival rate is less than 10 percent, there is a survival rate. Why not your loved one? The second issue to consider is your mental state. Consider that the biggest problem with Alzheimer's disease. The patient actually has little discomfort as dementia sets in. Instead, it is the family members who tend to destroy gradually, as they have to deal with the frustration of having a father and not even recognize them. The same goes for Mesothelioma not much you can do, which is very frustrating. Get into a support group where you can express frustrations and meet other people going through the same thing. A world of difference.Mesothelioma be made is a brutally difficult diagnosis to deal with when it comes to health problems. That does not mean that your loved one can not be beat. Whatever the outcome, it will be necessary to support and take care of yourself and Art By:. Tom Ajava