Caregivers

When people get sick, especially when a loved one or family friend has been diagnosed with a disabling, incurable disease like Mesothelioma those who become responsible for their day to day support become what is known as a “caregiver”. It is estimated that over 40 million people in the U.S. alone serve as unpaid caregivers to the injured, disabled and the seriously ill. All of these roles are not filled by spouses alone; some are friends and relatives providing emotional, physical and sometimes financial support.

The support required from a family caregiver for a mesothelioma patient is a daunting task because you are likely for the first time to be faced with a whole host of new and unfamiliar responsibilities. As the disease progresses, so does the support necessary to maintain the health and wellbeing of a mesothelioma patient. During this process you may feel overwhelmed and believe you are all alone to handle the significant responsibilities thrust upon you.

Additionally, not all caregivers are cohabitating family members. Some travel to and from the infirmed because they are the only legitimate support the patient might have. The good news is you are not alone and even though you will have to acquire new skills to be effective in your new untrained role, like being a medical advocate, understanding insurance claims and responding to clinical issues a mesothelioma patient might encounter, this support is vital to help maintain the mesothelioma patient in their time of greatest need. Caregivers are heroes who support people that can’t alone support themselves. We can think of no greater sacrifice or act of loving kindness, then the support a caregiver provides a mesothelioma victim.

It is very important if you become a caregiver or join the support of others providing care for a mesothelioma patient, that you understand your role and exercise your support without sacrificing yourself. You cannot effectively care for another if that role burdens your own health and wellbeing. Clinically you must maintain support, but emotionally and physically you must make time for yourself, even if this involves others, who on a limited basis can assist you.

Fortunately, there is support for caregivers through government programs, caregiver support groups, hospitals, social workers, clinics, churches and advocacy groups like the United Way or The National Alliance of Caregivers. Many publications on how to provide care are available free of charge.

Patient Support

Outside the parameters of providing medical and therapeutic support mesothelioma patients often times need legal advice and many times require financial intermediaries to help with the high cost of treatment and loss wages if the patient was employed. This situation only adds undue stress and burden on the patient and its family members as well. Mesothelioma is not only a complicated and life threatening disease it is also a very expensive disease to treat. Medications controlling pain and the spread of the disease are expensive and bills presented to the patient after copays and deductibles can mount up quickly. Most mesothelioma patients and their families seek the advice and help of qualified and experienced mesothelioma attorneys. Alan and I have successfully helped many mesothelioma patients and their families file legal actions to secure the necessary funds needed to continue paying bills associated with this dreadful disease. Mesothelioma is a disease caused by the exposure to asbestos and companies and manufactures involved in its use have a legal obligation for their negligence. We also provide other legal services such as establishing power of attorney, drafting wills, legal guardianships and helping with end of life decisions, such as do not resuscitate orders and other medical legalities often present.

Additional Support

When a patient is diagnosed with mesothelioma and the doctor explains the nature of the disease, most patients experience a wide variety of emotional symptoms ranging from despair and disbelief to denial, anger and fear. Every patient handles the trauma of this information differently and it is important on the part of family members or caregivers assisting the patient, to understand the degree to which this reality will ultimately affect the patient. Stress and anxiety can sometimes have as much immediate effect on the medical condition of a mesothelioma patient as the disease itself. When this occurs, professional treatment options should be sought after immediately to enable the mesothelioma patient to cope with and if possible overcome the adverse, legitimate emotions they are having. Patients unable to psychologically cope with being a terminal ill cancer patient will not sustain an adequate “quality of life” necessary to help them prolong their life for as long as possible.

Fear, anxiety, denial, disbelief, panic, distress, anger, depression are all natural emotions a mesothelioma patient might feel. Patients, as well as some family members might need the assistance of a professional in dealing with these emotions. In most cases, the mesothelioma patient through time, comes to accept their condition and learns to emotionally deal with the reality that confronts them. But some might need professional help and hospitals, oncologists, doctors, social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists can assist patients in recommending the proper treatment for those with a more serious emotional condition. Additional therapies such as alternative therapeutic remedies like acupuncture, aromatherapy, hypnotherapy, massage, meditation, yoga and any additional therapies that concentrate of the emotional and psychological well-being of a mesothelioma patient can provide a treatment option. Drug therapies to treat depression might be prescribed along with counselling.

Terrell Hogan and its mesothelioma attorney Alan Pickett is involved in the practice of law representing mesothelioma and lung cancer victims exposed to asbestos. We are only providing information and resources to help mesothelioma patients and their families and we are in no way recommending therapies to treat or offering any endorsement of the organizations and associations assisting in this battle to fight these dreadful diseases.