Practical Issues Life After Diagnosis
There's no doubt that life will change after a diagnosis of mesothelioma or any other serious illness. Things will now be far from normal. You'll feel different both physically and mentally, people will treat you differently, and tasks that were once part of normal, everyday life may become increasingly difficult as your disease progresses.
There will be some significant issues regarding life after diagnosis which will need to be addressed sooner or later. Some decisions will be easy to make; others may require the support of loved ones or counseling by a professional.
Daily Life IssuesChances are that even before your mesothelioma diagnosis you may have been slowing down or doing less because of the debilitating symptoms of the disease. As breathing becomes difficult or pain increases, it's much harder to do the things that you once took for granted, including grocery shopping, DIY projects around the house, or playing with your kids or grandkids. In addition, the treatments often prescribed for mesothelioma cause problems like fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and other noticeable side effects that may slow you down.
Though you wish for your life to remain as normal as possible, it may be necessary to admit that you just can't do what you once did. Try to develop a support network of friends and family members who can help with everyday tasks like cooking and cleaning and going to doctor's appointments. If you don't have friends or family in the area, ask your medical team to set up an appointment with a social worker who may be able to find an organization to assist you.
WorkIf you feel as if you are able to work, go ahead and do it. However, you may need to talk to your superiors about your mesothelioma and what the diagnosis might mean as far as working is concerned. Most are empathetic and will help you organize hours, days off for treatments, or other particulars.
You may or may not want to tell your co-workers about your disease. It's your choice. Realize, however, that they may eventually figure it out, so sometimes it's best to be up front with them rather than have them speculate as to what's happening in your life.
TravelIf you're accustomed to frequent travel and making trip plans on the spur of the moment, things will probably change after your diagnosis. If you're feeling well enough to travel, you should definitely do so. However, remember that if you get sick while traveling, you may encounter some difficult situations with hospitals, doctors, etc. who aren't familiar with your case. Always talk to your doctor before you go. He may, for example, advise against air travel because changes in cabin pressure can adversely affect the lungs of someone with mesothelioma whose lungs are already compromised. Also, patients with mesothelioma should never visit countries where communicable diseases are a threat, especially if undergoing chemotherapy or some other treatment that suppresses the immune system.
Insurance and Financial IssuesIf you are still employed, take time to speak with your Human Resources Department at work about your medical insurance and your right to sick pay, sick leave, disability benefits, etc. If you are the major bread winner for your family, these issues will no doubt be of concern.
If you have no medical insurance or limited health benefits, you may want to speak to a hospital social worker about programs that could assist you.
If you're no longer employed, you may still want to speak with a financial adviser to determine how best to balance your resources and make wise use of the money you've saved. This person can also assist with end-of-life issues such as wills and dividing your estate.