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After the diagnosis of mesothelioma

The diagnosis of cancer usually hits the victim quickly without being expected, altering their lives because they are patients who rarely expect to have this difficult diagnosis. One day the patient may be leading a normal life and the next day knows that the disease has been asleep in your body for decades. In an instant, this diagnosis becomes the most important in the life of the patient because their mortality is put into perspective.



A difficult diagnosis

The feeling of shock may be even worse for patients diagnosed with mesothelioma, since it is a disease with which they have never been familiar. In addition the diagnosis itself can be a real surprise since the symptoms may have been confused with other diseases, slowly growing with intensity. As a result, patients and doctors will go through difficulties regarding this diagnosis for a long period of time. Since mesothelioma is a rare form of cancer, before diagnostic tests are done that have to do with other diseases. In addition, mesothelioma is usually only assessed when the rest of the diagnostic alternatives have been exhausted.

Phases to face

This delay in recognition can exacerbate a diagnosis that is already difficult, making the negative phases of coping even more pronounced. After the initial shock of diagnosis, some patients may feel distrustful and refuse to accept the truth about their diagnosis, especially if they are well. Ask yourself Why this has happened to me? It is a common reaction. 

Then patients often feel intense emotions of terror, although these fears may have different origins. Some patients are afraid of the disease itself, others may fear the treatment of the disease and its effects. In addition many patients fear for their relatives and loved ones, worrying about what will happen to them if they can not overcome the diagnosis.

In addition, other patients feel guilty, and express remorse for not being able to recognize warning signs of the disease previously, or wonder what they did to have the disease. This phase can be quite prominent in patients with mesothelioma since the disease is related to exposure to asbestos. These patients will wonder where the exposure took place, worrying about whether they endangered their families due to secondary exposure, thus increasing the feeling of guilt.

Anger is another common reaction, particularly when we talk about mesothelioma and the diseases that are related to asbestos. Patients are often angry with the company or the owners of the one that allowed the exposure and were not able to protect them against asbestos, particularly if there is evidence that they knew or should have known the harmful effects of asbestos.

The lack of hope usually also accompanies the diagnosis of cancer since patients sometimes are not able to face the situation positively given the uncertainty of the disease. This uncertainty can seriously affect the emotional state of the patient, especially if they focus on the negative aspects of treatment, time and quality of life that will allow them to have the disease. This can lead to a deep sense of loss as the patient usually have to face a new image of themselves. This diagnosis has the ability to force people to alter the perception of their bodies and their future, leading them to a feeling of confusion given all the changes that undesirably will take place.

The feeling of grief can also be manifested in intense anger and frustration that can be focused on friends, family or medical professionals. This rage can be especially intense in patients with mesothelioma since they usually express their frustration as a result of a late diagnosis. However, patients can also internally hide their anger, fighting internally against spiritual issues and hypothetical questions.

Keep a positive attitude

Although a wide range of negative emotions is common and natural, the patients who best face treatment are those who overcome these obstacles and focus on treatment. Fighting mesothelioma is more than a mental effort test that physical. Patients must be strengthened to fight in a physical and emotional battle, which will require strength, discipline and courage. Although mesothelioma usually leads to a poor prognosis and a short life expectancy, many patients have exceeded medical expectations, reaching a quality of life for years after diagnosis. However, for this, patients must follow different steps to give themselves their best survival option.

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