5 Things You Can Do for Someone with Mesothelioma Posted by Staff on 8/19/2013 5 ways to helps someone with mesothelioma Often times, when a loved one is diagnosed with cancer, knowing what you can do to help and be supportive is not easy. A mesothelioma diagnosis, in particular, can be sudden and life-changing. Whether it’s finding the right thing to say, or figuring out what you can offer, you’ll want to be ready to help your loved one as best you can. We’ve put together some of the best things you can do for someone with mesothelioma that go beyond simply gift giving to offer genuine care and support. 1. Know What Not to Say or Ask Many of the most common phrases used to address a cancer patient are some of the ones he or she wants to hear the least. Some questions and comments that seem harmless to you might serve as negative reminders or triggers for the patient. For example, questions about mortality such as “what are your chances?” or “how long do you have?” bring up a topic and thoughts that many patients try to avoid. Another phrase to avoid: “It’s going to be okay.” Often a filler for empty space following a patient opening up about what he or she is going through, an empty promise of wellness doesn’t carry as much support as you might intend. Instead, just be a good listener. Your loved one will understand if you don’t always have a response or answer. 2. Recognize That Time is a Gift and Offer Yours A patient in treatment for mesothelioma will benefit much more from the gift of a friend or family member’s time than he or she might from another bouquet of sympathy flowers. Your time can be gifted in many ways, including offering to not only chauffeur between doctor’s offices, but also wait with the patient during appointments and even attend those that allow loved ones to be present. Offering to run errands such as picking up prescription medication and grocery shopping for the patient will also help take care of everyday tasks he or she might be stressed about. Time spent simply sitting and listening to your loved one will also mean more to them than you can imagine. 3. Do Your Research Mesothelioma is a serious and complicated cancer. With only one cause and, currently, no cure; it is a cancer like few others. It will benefit not only your patient, but also you as a friend and possibly a caregiver, to know as much about the disease as possible. Knowledge about mesothelioma will help you avoid asking basic questions the patient has probably answered many times already as well as open up the floor for deeper conversation and understanding between the two of you. When he or she has less to explain, your loved one will be able to spend more time talking about things that make him or her happy and distracted from the cancer. 4. Help Spread Awareness Mesothelioma is caused by exposure to asbestos, which is surprisingly still not banned in the United States. Many people have never even heard of mesothelioma and, if they have, are unaware of the risk factors and their personal level of risk. The best thing you can do to support not only someone you know suffering from mesothelioma, but thousands of others who have been and will be diagnosed in the future, is to help spread awareness. The more people know about the dangers of asbestos, the more people will help the fight to eradicate it in the U.S.. Research ways to get involved in the fight against asbestos that you and your loved one with mesothelioma can do together. Activities to fight asbestos and mesothelioma will give the patient hope. 5. Design a Personalized Gift Sympathy cards and flowers are never the wrong option when it comes to giving a gift to an ill loved one, but a gift personally tailored to specific needs will make him or her feel special. Mesothelioma often requires both surgery and chemotherapy or radiation. The lungs are most commonly affected by the disease and surgery can impact the entire chest and throat region. Consider the medical specifics of mesothelioma as well as personal characteristics of the patient when designing your gift. Fill a basket with nice teas or throat lozenges, hand-knit blankets or hats, and unique headscarves for potential treatment side effects. Also consider books and music gifts in his or her favorite genres that you can include. A personalized gift that includes items that will offer relief during treatment will be greatly appreciated.
4 Ways to Come to Peace With a Cancer Diagnosis Posted by Staff on 10/1/2013 Coming to Peace with Cancer Not only is the reality of a cancer diagnosis shocking, but also the tough discussions about what a patient can expect in the future can be even more daunting. Hearing the words ‘cancer battle’ doesn’t inspire confidence in a patient, even if their prognosis is favorable. With these negative emotions, finding peace with a diagnosis can help make life feel less ruled by doctor’s appointments and treatments. As with other problems in life, each person copes differently and in their own way. However, here are some tips for someone to consider when learning to cope with a cancer diagnosis. Have a Positive Outlook After a cancer diagnosis, a patient may find themselves feeling hopeless, scared, or even angry. All of these emotional reactions are normal. Despite being normal, all of these emotional feelings can be very taxing on a person’s psychological and physical state. Overcome these negative emotions by expressing your feelings to a trusted family member or friend. Talking about your feelings is the best way to confront them and gain support from loved ones. Another option is to talk to a professional therapist. There are many therapists who specialize in helping people with health complications overcome fears and depression. Gaining a positive outlook about your cancer has also been shown to improve the effectiveness of the treatments that you receive. Learn About Your Disease Patients sometimes feel out of control during cancer treatment because it feels like doctors begin to make all of the decisions. Even though your doctor will do his or her best to care for you, a way to feel better about your disease can come through education. Start by asking your healthcare team more about your treatments and disease, as well as turning to trusted medical resources to read more on your own. As you think of questions, write them down and bring them into your appointments. By educating yourself on your disease, you can begin to feel like you’re participating in your care instead of being controlled by it. Take Care of Yourself Take time every day to focus on hobbies and activities that make you happy. Whether you dive back into your favorite hobbies or find new ones, taking time to focus on something other than your health can make you feel great. If you and your doctor feel that you are well enough, begin an exercise regime. Exercise can make you feel well and sometimes even make you respond to your treatments more positively. Yoga and meditation are also low-impact alternative treatment practices that help you body and your mind, respectively, and can each give you time to relax and focus on positive emotions. Legal Action For some preventable cancers, like mesothelioma, legal action can be taken against parties responsible for the events that led to a patient’s eventual diagnosis. While this action won’t improve your health, finding justice can create peace of mind for you and your loved ones. What are some other ways that you've found helped you find peace during your cancer journey? Share you advice with supporters in our online community.
How to Survive Cold & Flu Season With Cancer Posted by Staff on 10/22/2013 Cold and flu season with cancer As the season changes and ushers in colder temperatures, cold and flu season begins too. The influenza virus, commonly known as the flu, presents many symptoms similar to the common cold; respiratory inflammation, cough, sore throat, stuffy or runny nose, fever, and aches are common symptoms for both. However, the flu generally presents more aggressive symptoms and some people may experience vomiting and/or diarrhea as well. For cancer patients, having an immune system that is already compromised makes cold and flu season especially precarious. Whether you are currently fighting cancer, are a cancer survivor, or are a cancer caregiver, knowing how to handle cold and flu season is important. According to the Center for Disease Control, while it isn’t known if a cancer patient or cancer survivor are at a greater risk for infection with the flu, it is known that cancer patients and survivors are at a higher risk for complications from the flu. Here are some tips to help ward off this year’s cold and flu season. Get the Flu Shot The flu shot is recommended for anyone with a history of cancer or any disease that leaves a person with a weakened immune system. Those who are a caregiver for a cancer patient should get the flu shot for their own health and for the benefit of not becoming ill while trying to care for a patient. You can find many clinics and pharmacies that offer free flu shots, too. Adopt Good Health Habits While it may seem like common sense, washing your hands often, especially after handling food, using the bathroom, or while sick, will help keep you healthier. However, 95% of people don’t wash their hands properly, so it’s important to take the time to wash your hands properly and avoid touching your face with them. Keep in mind that many items that you handle often (your cell phone, computer, money, etc.) are very dirty so don’t underestimate how often you should wash up. Stay at Home The best medicine for avoiding illness and getting over one is to get plenty of rest at home. If you’re a cancer patient, it may be a good idea to avoid large groups of people, like at work or family parties. If you’ve had a fever, stay home an additional 24 hours after your fever breaks to be sure the illness has run it’s course. Keep your home stocked and ready for flu season too. Stock up your medicine cabinet with over-the-counter medicine and any other remedy that will keep you comfortable and feeling better at home. Build Up Your Immune System Whether you are sick with the flu or not, treating yourself well while going through cancer treatments is always important. Make sure to eat well, since getting plenty of nutrients and vitamins can help minimize side effects of treatments. Fill your diet with a lot of veggies and unprocessed foods. Consider exercise if you and your doctor agree that it’s safe. Even doing yoga or stretches is good for an achy, sick body and is also helpful to make you feel better during treatments.
Celebrities Who Battled Mesothelioma Posted by Staff on 11/12/2013 Famous people who have battled mesothelioma The cancer community is all too familiar with the notion that cancer does not discriminate in who it affects. Often thought of as a disease for blue collar older men, mesothelioma has proven that it too does not discern between who is affected; the cause always comes back to asbestos exposure. With approximately 3,000 mesothelioma-related deaths per year in the United States, it’s no surprise that the disease has afflicted a number of noteworthy individuals in recent years. Here’s a selection of high-profile cases. Stephen Jay Gould (1941–2002) Stephen Jay Gould Image Source Paleontologist and evolutionary biologist Stephen Jay Gould, a Library of Congress Living Legend before his death, is best known for his theory of punctuated equilibrium, which states that species development is characterized by long static periods and sudden bursts of evolution. He was a frequent guest on talk shows like Charlie Rose, contributed to several Ken Burns documentaries, and even voiced himself on The Simpsons episode “Lisa the Skeptic.” He clashed frequently with Richard Dawkins, and was part of a sometimes bitter fight over interpretations of the theory of evolution. Gould also wrote frequently for Natural History magazine and authored a number of books aimed at the general public. Gould was a rare peritoneal (abdominal) mesothelioma survivor. He lived for 20 years after his initial diagnosis, succumbing to an unrelated lung cancer in 2002. He wrote an essay after his diagnosis, “The Median is the Message,” detailing his reaction to discovering that the median survival time for mesothelioma patients is 8 months. Paul Rudolph (1918–1997) Paul Rudolph Image Source The former dean of the Yale School of Architecture was known for his buildings’ geometric, modernist exteriors and complicated floor plans. Some of his most famous designs include the Art and Architecture Building at Yale, later named Rudolph Hall; a series of innovative houses he designed and built in Sarasota, Florida; and the Lippo Centre in Hong Kong, sometimes called “The Koala Tree” for the appearance of the sections of extruding windows that Rudolph incorporated into the design. Rudolph died in 1997 of peritoneal mesothelioma. He had served for 3 years in the Navy in the 1940s. Malcolm McLaren (1946–2010) Malcolm McLaren Image Source: credited to John Minihan/Hulton Archive British musician, artist, impresario and clothes designer Malcolm McLaren helped jumpstart the punk movement, which changed the face of popular music. He masterminded the Sex Pistols (its members all shopped or worked at his London clothing boutique, SEX), defining the group’s controversial style and, in the process, the sound and aesthetic of an entire movement. He arranged the Pistols’ infamous boat performance of “God Save the Queen” during Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee. The concert resulted in his own arrest and helped catalyze the moral panic that drove the band’s—and genre’s—popularity. McLaren was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma in 2009 and died a year later. He was likely exposed to asbestos when tearing open the ceiling of SEX in order to make the shop appear as though a bomb had hit it. Ed Lauter (1938–2013) Ed Lauter Veteran character actor and comedian Ed Lauter appeared in over 200 films and TV episodes throughout his 45-year career. He’s familiar for his roles in films such as The Longest Yard, Death Wish 3, Trouble With the Curve, The Artist and Family Plot, Alfred Hitchcock’s final movie. Hitchcock was reportedly so impressed with Lauter that he offered him a major role in what was to be the director’s next film, The Short Night, but Hitchcock died before the movie went into production. Lauter died in October 2013, just 5 months after his diagnosis with mesothelioma. He worked almost up until his death, and has roles in several forthcoming movies. A scholarship for young actors has been set up in his name. Warren Zevon (1947–2003) Warren Zevon Image Source The mordant bandleader is best known for hit songs like “Werewolves of London” and for his frequent appearances on The Late Show with David Letterman, where he sometimes filled in as bandleader. He succumbed to peritoneal mesothelioma in 2003. Zevon was public about his battle with the disease, refusing treatment so that he could record his final album, The Wind. His final public performance was as the sole guest and musical artist on an episode of The Late Show, where he performed and spoke at length about his experience with cancer. During the show, he first offered his famous advice to “enjoy every sandwich.” Sean Sasser (1968-2013) Sean Sasser Image Source Best known for his appearance on MTV’s 1994 The Real World: San Francisco, where he exchanged commitment vows with cast member Pedro Zamora, Sasser was an AIDS activist and, later in his life, an accomplished pastry chef. His relationship with Zamora, who died of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) soon after appearing on the show, was a focal point of the Real World season. The two also appeared in castmate Judd Winick’s Pedro and Me, an Eisner-award nominated graphic novel about Zamora. Their commitment vows were the first such ceremony ever shown of a gay couple on television, and their relationship was a watershed moment in the portrayal of gay and HIV-positive individuals on television. After his time on The Real World, Sasser continued his AIDS activism, speaking at the first White House AIDS conference in 1995 and appointed by President Clinton to the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS. At the time of his death from mesothelioma, he was working as a pastry chef in Washington, D.C. Paul Gleason (1939–2006) Paul Gleason Image Source: Getty With a career that spanned 4 decades, Paul Gleason is best known for his role as Richard Vernon, the assistant principal who assigns the principal characters detention in The Breakfast Club. He had memorable roles in Die Hard, Trading Places and All My Children and appeared in dozens of movies and TV shows. Gleason was also an accomplished athlete, playing football at Florida State University and enjoying a brief professional baseball career with the Cleveland Indians, though he never appeared in the majors. He also frequently participated in celebrity golf tournaments. Gleason died of pleural mesothelioma in 2006. He likely was exposed to asbestos as a teenager, when he spent time working for his father at construction sites. Steve McQueen (1930–1980) Steve McQueen Image Source Actor Steve McQueen was the star of many classic films, like The Great Escape, The Magnificent Seven, The Thomas Crowne Affair and Bullitt. He was part of a number of iconic movie moments, including the famous motorcycle jump in The Great Escape (though McQueen didn’t perform the actual stunt, he did much of the motorcycle riding in the film). The car chase in Bullitt, for which McQueen drove in many of the shots, is accounted one of the best chases ever put on film. An avid driver, McQueen may have been exposed to asbestos through the protective suit he wore while racing. He also spent time as a sailor and in the Marines. He died of a heart attack after undergoing lung surgery in Mexico, where he had traveled in search of treatment for the mesothelioma that doctors in the US had deemed inoperable. His search for a cure, which involved bizarre treatments and shady unlicensed doctors, was the subject of tabloid scrutiny. Merlin Olsen (1940–2010) Merlin Olsen Image Source Fourteen-time Pro Bowler Merlin Olsen enjoyed a 15-year career with the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL, where he was part of the Fearsome Foursome alongside Rosey Grier, one of the greatest defensive lines in NFL history. He won the league’s Rookie of the Year award on arrival in 1962 and was MVP in 1974. Olsen was known for his physical prowess and his analytical approach to the game. After his football career ended in 1976, he went on to become a successful broadcaster, teaming with Dick Enberg for commentary on AFC games. He also acted in the TV shows Little House on the Prairie and Father Murphy. Olsen was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2009, which he believed he contracted from asbestos exposure while working construction when he was younger. He filed suit against a number of asbestos companies, which his family settled after his death.
