{"id":15538,"date":"2023-11-29T01:15:37","date_gmt":"2023-11-29T07:15:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/?post_type=blog&#038;p=15538"},"modified":"2023-11-29T01:16:48","modified_gmt":"2023-11-29T07:16:48","slug":"supporting-a-loved-one-through-mesothelioma-treatment","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/es\/asbestos-blog\/supporting-a-loved-one-through-mesothelioma-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"Supporting a Loved One Through Mesothelioma Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-\"><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p>Receiving the<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0013935122018576\"> diagnosis of mesothelioma<\/a>[1] is a shocking development for an entire family. Not only does it have a massive impact on the individual who was once<a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1660-4601\/10\/11\/5629\/pdf\"> exposed to asbestos<\/a>[2] and receives the diagnosis, it also has a profound<a href=\"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/asbestos-blog\/secondary-asbestos-exposure-protecting-your-loved-ones\/?highlight=women\"> impact on the rest of their loved ones<\/a>. This is a trying time, to be sure, and everyone will feel motivated to do what they can to help out.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most of that help is going to come in the form of emotional support. The medical side of things will be managed by the healthcare professionals who are offering treatment, so loved ones will be left to do what they can to help the affected individual stay positive, enjoy the things they have in life, and cherish their time around others.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you find yourself currently in the position of needing to support a loved one during this type of difficult situation, there is no overstating the significance of the situation. It\u2019s a challenging place to be, and we\u2019d like to at least offer some basic advice that might help you make the most out of this phase of life.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-facing-the-reality\"><strong>Facing the Reality<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately, we are going to have to start this discussion with a<a href=\"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/asbestos-learning-center\/medical-history-of-asbestos\/?highlight=cancer\"> sobering reality about the situation at hand<\/a>. If a loved one has been<a href=\"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/about-us\/asbestos-conditions\/?highlight=cancer\"> diagnosed with mesothelioma<\/a>, it\u2019s likely that the disease is at a relatively advanced stage, and they may have as little as just a few months left to live. While it\u2019s possible to survive for a few years with this disease, this outcome is not common. Treatments can be used to improve the chances of a longer survival, but most of these cases do not end well.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The<a href=\"https:\/\/www.govinfo.gov\/content\/pkg\/CHRG-110shrg61969\/html\/CHRG-110shrg61969.htm\"> harsh outlook for a mesothelioma<\/a>[3] is something that will be hard for loved ones to accept. You will need to go through your own grieving process as part of this journey, and it\u2019s okay to give yourself time to break down and let the emotions overcome you. While you are likely focused on providing support to the family member that is sick, you still need to provide yourself with some space to process what is happening, as well.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-putting-together-a-plan\"><strong>Putting Together a Plan<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Realistically, you aren\u2019t going to be \u201cgetting over\u201d this matter anytime soon, and that is understandable. However, there will be a point when you start to gain a bit of clarity on the situation and you start to think about how the matter can be approached in everyone\u2019s best interests. It\u2019s going to be hard, but you\u2019ll finally be ready to move forward with putting together a plan that is going to offer your loved one the support and strength they badly need at this time.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As you start to plan how you\u2019ll offer support, think about the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Who else can help?<\/strong> It\u2019s possible that you\u2019ll be the sole supportive figure for your loved one. Hopefully, however, that isn\u2019t the case, and you\u2019ll have some other family members or close friends who can also step in. As you are planning out the support you are going to provide, think about how individuals can come together, perhaps at different times and in different ways. For example, someone might be better suited to having deeper conversations about life, where another person might be more comfortable in a distracting role, allowing the person to escape for a while and think about something else entirely. Playing to the strengths of everyone in the group is the best way to approach the situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>How much help will be desired?<\/strong> Believe it or not, it\u2019s easy to go overboard while trying to help someone in this situation. If you provide them with too much attention, your efforts might actually have a negative effect as they might not be comfortable with how they are being treated. So, think about the person who is sick, understand their personality, and come up with an appropriate plan that will make sure they don\u2019t feel alone while still giving them the space that might be required for a clear head and deep thoughts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00b7 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>Do you need help?<\/strong> You\u2019ll likely feel like you want to be strong and put on a brave face but remember that you can only be helpful if you are engaging in your own self-care. So, think about whether or not you need to get some additional mental health support. There is no shame at all in acknowledging that you need help to be at your best for someone important in your life.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The time you spend planning could wind up paying off nicely for as long as you need to provide support in this situation. Of course, as things change, and the realities of the situation evolves, it might be necessary to revisit the plan from time to time.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-tailor-your-support-to-the-individual\"><strong>Tailor Your Support to the Individual<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Everyone is unique, and the kind of support that is desired by one person might not be suitable for another. So, as you work through this process, be sure to always keep the loved one that you are caring for in mind and think about how their personality plays into what kind of support they\u2019ll need.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some will be open to having long, emotional talks where you reminisce about times past, cry together, and open up fully. Others may not be as emotionally unavailable, and instead they\u2019ll simply appreciate having someone to talk to and tend to their more immediate needs.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Remember, even if there are certain things you would like to talk about, it\u2019s never best to push up against the wishes of your loved one. Always consider whether the conversation will benefit them during this time.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-addressing-practical-concerns\"><strong>Addressing Practical Concerns<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Mental health support is likely to be your primary objective in this process. You\u2019ll want to be with the loved one that is facing mesothelioma, so they don\u2019t feel alone during what is sure to be the most challenging period of their life. With that said, as important as mental health is, there are also some practical, day-to-day action items that may be needed. Getting organized on these points and figuring out how they will be navigated in the weeks and months ahead is going to be equally as important.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Again, the steps you need to take are going to depend on the situation at hand and the care being provided, but here are some important considerations:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-make-home-as-comfortable-as-possible\"><strong>Make home as comfortable as possible.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It might be necessary to make some adjustments to your loved one\u2019s living space to make sure they are comfortable and can get around as easily as possible. Mesothelioma and the treatment for it can come along with some very difficult side effects, including some that significantly degrade a person\u2019s comfort and quality of life. Making some changes to improve the way their home works for their new reality is a big step in the right direction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-getting-to-and-from-the-doctor\"><strong>Getting to and from the doctor.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There are sure to be plenty of appointments to attend in the upcoming weeks and months as your loved one starts to receive treatment for mesothelioma. If they can\u2019t drive themselves, it will be necessary to arrange for reliable transportation. This could mean you or another loved one driving them to appointments, or it could mean scheduling a ride with a service that is designed to fill this need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-learning-about-mesothelioma\"><strong>Learning about mesothelioma.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>While not necessary, you might decide that you want to educate yourself on everything that mesothelioma is and what it does to the human body. Arming yourself with information can help you anticipate what might be coming down the road for your loved one, and what you might be able to do to make them more comfortable and get as much enjoyment out of life as possible. Learning about potential symptoms and outcomes can also help you provide more informed support at healthcare appointments and\/or aid in further explaining information to the patient that is shared by doctors and other medical personnel.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One other practical point is to make sure that you have enough time for yourself in this process, especially if you are the one providing most or all of the care. You won\u2019t be at your best if you are always \u201con duty,\u201d especially if you need to provide emotional support in addition to doing practical things like scheduling appointments, serving as transportation, and more.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As these obligations take up more and more of your time \u2013 and a significant portion of your emotional energy \u2013 try to carve out space to get away and do something else. That could mean turning over these duties temporarily to another family member or friend, or it could mean looking for space in the budget to hire a professional caregiver.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-carving-out-space-for-regular-life\"><strong>Carving Out Space for Regular Life<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There is nothing \u201cregular\u201d about dealing with a mesothelioma diagnosis and the treatment that is to follow. This is a tremendous challenge, to be sure, and an event that will change the course of everyone\u2019s life in the entire family. It\u2019s not realistic to just deny that reality and pretend that it doesn\u2019t exist, but it\u2019s also not necessary to allow it to take over every single area of life moving forward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the best ways to support someone in the difficult position of dealing with mesothelioma is to help them get a taste of everyday life as often as possible. Between the many appointments they\u2019ll likely need to attend, and the frequency with which they will be talking about their illness with others, it can feel like their whole world is revolving around this disease. To be able to step away from that and spend time focusing on something else can serve as a huge relief.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-planning-a-course-of-action-during-mesothelioma-treatment\"><strong>Planning a course of action during mesothelioma treatment<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, there will likely be some restrictions on what is possible to be done with a person who is already dealing with the effects of mesothelioma and weakened immunity. They may be struggling to breathe normally when exerting even at a low level, so anything too physically demanding might not be a wise choice. Anything that seems to put their body in additional discomfort should be avoided, as you don\u2019t want to stress their system any more than what is already happening. And being especially mindful of germs during this time can help ensure their safety.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fortunately, in today\u2019s digital world, there are plenty of options for activities that don\u2019t demand being too physically active. Is your loved one a sports fan? Plan on having a small gathering with some friends or other family members to watch a big game and focus only on the event, rather than the disease and what it means for the future. Or, maybe it would be fun for them to have a few people over to play board games, or to prepare a favorite meal. Obviously, the kinds of things that will be appealing are going to vary on a case-by-case basis, so use your in-depth knowledge of the person to customize activities to fit their preferences.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-finding-joy-in-moments-and-loved-ones\"><strong>Finding joy in moments and loved ones<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Providing some sense of normalcy doesn\u2019t always have to involve inviting people over or having some kind of event. It can also mean simply talking about something else from time to time. Instead of sitting around talking about being sick, they might appreciate talking about topics they\u2019re passionate about. It is, of course, necessary and important to keep up with treatment for mesothelioma and follow along with doctor\u2019s orders, but finding some pattern of normal life apart from that is a critical part of this process.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-latency-of-mesothelioma-and-asbestos-related-diseases\"><strong>Latency of Mesothelioma and Asbestos-Related Diseases<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Asbestos diseases usually take at least five years to appear, so asbestos companies tried to deny their employees\u2019 workers compensation claims as being too late to be enforced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1680\" height=\"702\" src=\"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Wisniewskidocs3-1680x702.png\" alt=\"Wisniewskidocs3\" class=\"wp-image-15540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Wisniewskidocs3-1680x702.png 1680w, https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Wisniewskidocs3-540x226.png 540w, https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Wisniewskidocs3-768x321.png 768w, https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Wisniewskidocs3-1536x642.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Wisniewskidocs3-2048x856.png 2048w, https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Wisniewskidocs3-18x8.png 18w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1680px) 100vw, 1680px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Wisniewskidocs3<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>As early as the 1960s, Johns Manville knew many industrial workers were dying from mesothelioma from asbestos exposure, but they resisted admitting it, and fought every attempt to regulate asbestos or recover compensation for asbestos injuries, right until they went bankrupt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1680\" height=\"702\" src=\"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Wisniewskidocs2-1680x702.png\" alt=\"Wisniewskidocs2\" class=\"wp-image-15539\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Wisniewskidocs2-1680x702.png 1680w, https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Wisniewskidocs2-540x226.png 540w, https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Wisniewskidocs2-768x321.png 768w, https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Wisniewskidocs2-1536x642.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Wisniewskidocs2-2048x856.png 2048w, https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Wisniewskidocs2-18x8.png 18w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1680px) 100vw, 1680px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Fortunately, courts ordered the asbestos companies to put their insurance money and other bankruptcy assets <a href=\"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/asbestos-trusts\/what-are-asbestos-trusts\/\">in trust<\/a>, to be preserved for people only discovering their asbestos injuries after several decades passed. Billions of dollars are left in the trust, but many people do not know <a href=\"https:\/\/ward.asbestosclaims.law\/\">they qualify<\/a> for a share.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Many who experienced <a href=\"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/secondary-exposure-to-asbestos\/\">second-hand asbestos exposure<\/a> are only now realizing that they were exposed from regular contact with their spouse or parent\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/occupational-exposure-to-asbestos\/\">industrial work clothes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-considering-legal-action\"><strong>Considering Legal Action<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As much as you probably don\u2019t want to think about it at this time, there is a financial component to this situation that will have to be faced at one point or another. There are many issues that can arise with mesothelioma that are related to money, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-loss-of-income\"><strong>Loss of income.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If the affected individual was still working in some capacity, a diagnosis of mesothelioma will likely mean they won\u2019t be able to work for much longer. That can be a major problem for a family that was relying on their income to pay the bills. Some type of change will have to be made to figure out how that income will be replaced in the long run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-medical-costs\"><strong>Medical costs.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Even with insurance, the cost of care for mesothelioma can be overwhelming. As the treatments add up, the bills are going to become significant, and may be more than the family can reasonably handle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-other-expenses\"><strong>Other expenses.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There might be other costs that are incurred along the way, such as hotel bills if a loved one needs to stay near a hospital, or travel expenses for family members who want to visit.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The list above should make it clear that this diagnosis is not only going to take a major impact on life as a whole, but especially on finances. With that in mind, it\u2019s important to think about taking legal action to seek damages that may be deserved in this case. If the diagnosis of mesothelioma stems directly from exposure to<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lung.org\/clean-air\/at-home\/indoor-air-pollutants\/asbestos\"> asbestos<\/a>[4] that was the fault of another party, compensation could be available.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some families decide not to take legal action because they assume that a long,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/asbestos-blog\/can-someone-sue-for-secondhand-asbestos-exposure\/\"> difficult court battle<\/a> would be waiting \u2013 but that\u2019s not necessarily the case. There are large asbestos trusts already in place that hold funds that are<a href=\"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/asbestos-claims-mesothelioma-claims\/mesothelioma-cancer-claims\/?highlight=cancer\"> waiting to be claimed by victims<\/a>. You will still need to provide detailed information and follow an established process to make a claim, but it\u2019s much faster and not nearly as difficult as going through a<a href=\"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/asbestos-blog\/asbestos-exposure-and-wrongful-death-lawsuits-what-to-know\/?highlight=cancer\"> traditional lawsuit<\/a>. Asbestos trusts can be an excellent way to secure fair compensation for the family in a timely manner.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-finding-strength-and-getting-help-where-it-is-available\"><strong>Finding strength and getting help where it is available<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Supporting a loved one during their battle with mesothelioma in the aftermath of<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.gov\/about-cancer\/causes-prevention\/risk\/substances\/asbestos\/asbestos-fact-sheet\"> asbestos<\/a>[5] exposure is a noble endeavor, and one that is sure to come along with plenty of emotional moments for everyone involved. By standing up to this disease and helping your loved one fight back, you are truly making a world of difference. And, while it might not seem like financial matters are particularly important at this stage, it is worthwhile to<a href=\"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/asbestos-blog\/asbestos-lung-cancer-lawyers\/?highlight=cancer\"> explore the legal options<\/a> that might be available to your family as a result of what has happened.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nearly all cases of mesothelioma are the result of asbestos exposure, and someone should be held responsible for that mistake. Securing compensation isn\u2019t going to undo what has been done, sadly, but it can help the family move forward. Get started today to learn more about the options that are available in your case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>[1] https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0013935122018576<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>[2] https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/1660-4601\/10\/11\/5629\/pdf<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>[3] https:\/\/www.govinfo.gov\/content\/pkg\/CHRG-110shrg61969\/html\/CHRG-110shrg61969.htm<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>[4] https:\/\/www.lung.org\/clean-air\/at-home\/indoor-air-pollutants\/asbestos<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>[5] https:\/\/www.cancer.gov\/about-cancer\/causes-prevention\/risk\/substances\/asbestos\/asbestos-fact-sheet<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":15541,"template":"","blogtag":[67,85,101],"class_list":["post-15538","blog","type-blog","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","blogtag-asbestos-medical-info","blogtag-mesothelioma-claims","blogtag-second-hand-asbestos-exposure-2"],"acf":[],"x_featured_media":"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Wisniewskidocs1-220x220.png","x_featured_media_medium":"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Wisniewskidocs1-540x217.png","x_featured_media_large":"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Wisniewskidocs1.png","x_featured_media_original":"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Wisniewskidocs1.png","x_date":"noviembre 29, 2023","x_metadata":{"show_header_blog":"0","_show_header_blog":"field_654929c4b577a","image_header_blog":"15541","_image_header_blog":"field_5f86255998692","name_author":"AsbestosClaims.Law Staff","_name_author":"field_5fa027bb365d8","image_author":"15530","_image_author":"field_5fa02869365d9","alternative_link":"","_alternative_link":"field_5faae1f7dd7d1","title_location":"Asbestos Lawyer:","_title_location":"field_63dad6e7d72c9","name_location":"","_name_location":"field_63347737c6caa","image_location":"","_image_location":"field_6334775ac6cab","_yoast_wpseo_focuskeywords":"[]","_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":"[\"\"]","_yoast_wpseo_estimated_reading_time_minutes":"","_yoast_wpseo_wordproof_timestamp":"","_thumbnail_id":"15541","_yoast_indexnow_last_ping":"1701242138"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog\/15538","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/blog"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15541"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15538"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"blogtag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.asbestosclaims.law\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blogtag?post=15538"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}