A mesothelioma diagnosis is a life changing event ?? for patients and their families.
There is one that will probably force the patient and those to switch their current roles and take on new parts requiring increased responsibilities or increased dependence loved.
Unless you have personal experience of being a cancer patient or a primary care provider, you can be sure how to adapt to these new roles. Sometimes it helps to think about how you chose the new roles of life in the past. How did you adapt to become married after years of single life? How did you prepare for the transition of the workforce to retirement?
Taking on the role of cancer patient
We wear many hats in our lives :. Mother, father, son, daughter, sister, brother, employee or boss
your mesothelioma diagnosis can mean add "new hat" of the cancer patient in your daily wardrobe. Therefore, you may need to remove other hats you wear regularly.
Maybe you should limit your work hours or leave your job because you are too tired or ill to work. Your church or congregation can count on you as a volunteer to assist at religious services, but you may be instructed by your oncologist to stay away from crowded places because you are susceptible to infection.
It is common to feel a sense of loss when you can ?? t carry all your hats while fighting mesothelioma.
one of the common challenges of adjusting to be a mesothelioma patient is a dependent role. When you are accustomed to independence and do most things yourself, it can be a struggle to ask for help or accept your family and friends.
Your personality can also affect how you adjust to being a mesothelioma patient.
Some patients are comforted by their relatives who offer to accompany them to chemotherapy or check in frequently to see how they feel. Others prefer to be treated as if they are not sick and do ?? t want to talk about their symptoms or treatment.
It is helpful for you to think about the type of support that you like and are comfortable to request from your relatives
Becoming the caregiver
If you are a caregiver to a close with mesothelioma, these are some of the reasons why you may feel overwhelmed by the role :.
- Taking extra chores the patient can no longer perform on their own.
- Planning and monitoring of patient medication and go to the doctor.
- relay information about the patient to family and friends.
Some caregivers may feel that their responsibility to the physical and emotional needs ?? s patient is more important than their own ?? and it is not true.
In my experience as a consultant to work with caregivers, it is not healthy for caregivers to always put the needs ?? s of the patient first. It is important for caregivers to determine what assistance they can provide to the patient. But it is also essential to seek help from the team of patient health care or other family members and friends.
Most people care for a loved one in the same way they expect to be treated if they were sick. However, everyone does not share the same preference of care.
For example, some patients may receive their health care provider to take over the control and organization of all their medications. Others may find this intrusive and want to maintain greater independence in their lives as possible, including the monitoring of their drugs.
Conflicts may arise between patients and caregivers on assumptions about how should feel the patient and the caregiver or behave. It is important to realize that caregivers and patients need time to adjust their new roles and that there is no right or wrong way to be a patient or caregiver.
Talking to each other about your needs as a patient and caregiver allows for fewer conflicts and misunderstandings, especially since both roles work through the daily challenges of mesothelioma
questions and answers online support group in November
. Q: Why am I so tired all the time
A :? When your body fight against cancer and the treatment of side effects of cancer treatment, you may feel tired physically, mentally and emotionally. Cancer-related fatigue is different and more intense than the typical fatigue. It is quite normal to feel extreme fatigue when you have cancer, especially if you are undergoing chemotherapy.
isn ?? cancer-related fatigue t easy to rebound. The sleep doesn ?? t always reduce this kind of fatigue, but it is important to rest and regulate your business. Your body is working hard to control the cancer and this requires a lot of energy. Try not to overwork yourself. Many mesothelioma patients indicate that fatigue greatly improves once they recover from cancer treatment
Q :. Is it safe to fly with an oxygen tank
A :? Flying requires a different kind of oxygen tank, known as a portable oxygen concentrator (POC). A regular oxygen tank is not safe for the flight, which means you need to rent a POC for air travel. Go online to find a POC provider or call your doctor for a recommendation.
Most airlines require you to inform them of your need for a POC 48 hours before the flight. You should also keep your oxygen prescription and letter ?? s physician air travel approval on you at all times. Some airlines have a specific medical form for your doctor to complete, so make sure you check the airline ?? s policy in advance
Q:.? Can eat more vegetables help me recover
a: scientific research suggests that eating a variety of vegetables supports the immune system in a way that can help people to recover from treatment Cancer. Eat a varied selection of vegetables provides the body with nutrition and antioxidants, which are natural compounds that facilitate repair at a cellular level. A diet based on plants rich in healthy proteins is recommended by nutritionists in oncology.
