A diagnosis of mesothelioma can be a devastating experience and coping with mesothelioma's consequences is a challenge for all concerned.

Support from Others Is Crucial

The support of family, friends, and a community of medical professionals and others who understand what you're going through is of great value when you're coping with mesothelioma. Don't let your anxiety keep you from seeking the help that is available.

The patient with mesothelioma and his or her family will have issues to deal with regarding:

• Emotions
• Physical and mental health
• Medical care
• Social interactions
• Finances
• Legal options
• Family dynamics

When you're coping with an illness such as mesothelioma, many decisions must be made, often with less information and certainty than one would like, and often in a state of shock, anger, or grief. It's best to not try to "go it alone," whether as an individual or as a couple or family. Nearly every community in the U.S. has resources for helping people who are struggling with cancer and other diseases such as mesothelioma.

The Helping Professions

A good first step in coping with mesothelioma is to ask the diagnosing physician for referrals to people in the helping professions, such as:

• Social workers
• Therapists
• Hospice organizations
• Administrative help such as that obtainable from the Veterans Administration
• Cancer support groups
• Caregiver support organizations
• Law firms experienced in end-of-life preparation

Many of these resources are available at low or no cost. It never hurts to ask for help; if it's not right for you or your family, keep looking! Coping with mesothelioma is best done with the help and oversight of people who have the understanding and experience to provide a compassionate safety net for you.

There is much to learn about the treatments for mesothelioma. Your doctor is the first resource here, but you can get a lot of information from Internet websites, too. The better informed you are, the more confident you can be in the treatment(s) you choose.

The Emotional Upheaval

Many times, the person who has been diagnosed with mesothelioma experiences a spectrum of emotions — shock, denial, anger, frustration, and emotional withdrawal. The patient and his or her family may find themselves arguing, shutting down, or simply disoriented. It's common for people to develop eating problems, irregular sleep patterns, or a sense that life is no longer manageable.

Everyone has their own way of coping with mesothelioma. Depression, out-of-control anger, and anticipatory grief are often seen. An emotion that is very common following the diagnosis of mesothelioma is indignation at an employer whose indifference to the dangers of asbestos to its employees may have been the root cause of this disease. Talking over one's emotions with a counselor is a very positive step.

End-of-life Decisions

As uncomfortable as it may be for many people, it is a good idea to discuss and make some end-of-life decisions fairly soon after a diagnosis of mesothelioma. If these decisions never need to be implemented, that's great, but if the issues are never taken up and the decisions aren't made, the patient's desires regarding the end of his or her life may not be met.

Most individuals have some clear preferences about how they want the end of their lives to be.

Here are a few issues to consider when you're coping with mesothelioma:

Health Care Proxy

Also known as Health Care Power of Attorney, this allows a patient to name someone (a proxy) who he or she authorizes to make medical care decisions when he/she is no longer able to do so. The document may have some specific provisions in it about the end-of-life medical care, or it may leave the decisions completely in the hands of the proxy, who is often the spouse or adult child of the patient. Witnesses to the signing of this document are required.

Living Will

A living will is similar to a Health Care Proxy but also provides more instruction about medical issues, including nutrition and treatment. Living wills are not available in all states; consult an attorney in your area to find out what you can do in lieu of a living will if it's not an option.

Do Not Resuscitate Order

A Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) form tells medical staff wherever the patient is being treated that they must not take extreme measures to save the patient's life (for example, no resuscitation if he or she stops breathing). Some states have their own approved DNR forms, to be signed by the patient's physician. Ask your physician about a DNR form in your state.

Legal Plans

Many, many people do not have a will; it's no shame to have put off this necessary document. When you're coping with mesothelioma, though, it's time to put your desires in writing. Making out a will may be an unappealing task, but it's good to do it, to ensure that your desires about your assets are met, especially if you have children. An estate lawyer can help you in this regard.

A good lawyer can help you in a lot of ways. Contact a compassionate lawyer who has experience with mesothelioma cases, and get the answers you need.