Once you've been diagnosed with mesothelioma, your next steps can feel overwhelming. The first thing you should do is handle the technicalities, like getting copies of your medical records, informing your family and friends, and asking your doctor about treatment options. Aside from these tasks, here's what's recommended once you find out you have mesothelioma.
- Start your treatment plan immediately
The sooner you start treatment, the better. Time is of the essence where mesothelioma treatments are concerned. Whether your specialist recommends surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, or a combination of these, don't put it off even for a day. Start the process now – even if all you can do is fill out paperwork and schedule appointments.
There are also lifestyle changes you can make that will help your treatment. For example, cancer diets are particularly helpful. In addition to avoiding alcohol, you'll want to eat plenty of quality protein from foods like chicken, beef, fish, and legumes, while avoiding sugar, saturated fat, and eating a variety of vegetables.
- Talk to your family about your prognosis
Discussing your situation with family and close friends is important. They'll want to know what's going on so they can support you as best as possible. You'll feel a lot better sharing openly with people you love because they'll give you the emotional support you need to get through your situation.
If you don't have close friends or family, you can always talk to a therapist. There are many therapists who specialize in supporting clients with major illnesses, and thanks to telehealth, you can find your ideal therapist online.
- Talk to a mesothelioma lawyer
There's a chance you might qualify for financial compensation for your illness. Talk to a mesothelioma lawyer as soon as possible to find out. Many people have brought lawsuits against the companies responsible for asbestos exposure, even though it happened far in the past.
Once you talk to an attorney, they will go over the details of your situation to find out if you have a strong case. They'll dig into your employment history to figure out where you were exposed and for how long, and that could become the basis of a lawsuit.
Most attorneys offer free consultations and work on a contingency basis, which means you won't owe them anything for their services until/unless you win your case. When you win, your attorney will receive your settlement checks on your behalf, deduct the cost of their services, and send you the rest. The process is stress-free, easy, and requires next to no work on your part so you have nothing to lose.
- Get your affairs in order
It's not pleasant to think about, but if you've been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you'll need to consider what will happen to your family after you pass. Regardless of your prognosis, it's important to get your affairs in order and have a plan.
For example, it's helpful to create an estate plan so you can determine how you'd like your property to be distributed after you pass. This can include things like a basic will and a trust, and you can also give someone power of attorney in case you need someone to make decisions for you. It's also convenient to grant someone you trust (your POA) legal authority to access your bank account so they can handle your bills if needed.
- Seek group support
While your friends and family may be able to provide you with some support, it won't be the same as the kind of support you can get from a group of people going through the same illness. There are things you're going through that others don't understand from experience, and it's comforting to be in the presence of people who get it without explanation.
Find a mesothelioma support group and start going to meetings. You might be able to find a group through your therapist, or if you don't have a therapist, just look online. Some groups meet in person, while others are strictly online. While it's nice to meet in person (because there is no substitute for real-world connection), don't discount an online group. If you can't find a group in person, you might be surprised at how much support you can get from an online group.
Take things one day at a time
While a mesothelioma diagnosis can feel overwhelming, remember to take things one day at a time, breathe deeply, and get support. You don't have to do anything alone. Doctors, friends, family, and therapists will help you every step of the way.
