| Living with a diagnosis of Mesothelioma can be | | | | Keepthem informed, even if it is with just little |
| very emotionally difficultto deal with. | | | | snippets of information. |
| Understandably, you may be feeling upset and | | | | If possible, try to have a word with the childs |
| confused as it isnot uncommon for Mesothelioma | | | | school teacher to let themknow that someone |
| to be diagnosed at an advanced stage. Here | | | | close to them is ill. Hopefully, the teacher will keep |
| arefive tips to help you or anyone else cope with | | | | aneye on the child in case of any changes in the |
| Mesothelioma: | | | | childs behaviour. |
| 1: Coping with your feelings. | | | | 4. What can you do? |
| Everyone has a different reaction when they | | | | A feeling of helplessness is not unusual when |
| learn that they have Mesothelioma. | | | | someone is first told that theyhave Mesothelioma. |
| A wide range of feelings and emotions such as | | | | Try and learn to understand Mesothelioma as this |
| confusion, upset , worried, depression,shock, fear, | | | | will helpyou and your family to take action and |
| denial, anger, negativity, etc. And it is not | | | | know what to expect. It is best to talkto a |
| uncommon for peopleto feel relieved on learning | | | | professional such as your doctor if you need |
| they have Mesothelioma as they feel it is betterto | | | | more information as they willbe able to advise |
| know than not know at all. | | | | you on your specific case which is always better |
| Just because you are having different feelings to | | | | than gettinggeneral information about |
| others (or to the ones listedabove) does not | | | | Mesothelioma from a book or the internet. Be |
| mean that you are not coping. There is no text | | | | sureto take a list of questions to save time for |
| book way to copewith Mesothelioma. The feelings | | | | you and your doctor. |
| you experience are naturally right for you sodo | | | | It may be a good idea to see if there are any |
| not compare your feelings with anyone else. | | | | local support groups you canjoin. Finding people |
| 2: Finding others to talk to. | | | | going through a similar experience as yourself can |
| Your family and friends may find it hard to talk | | | | helpyou cope. Your doctor or hospital will be able |
| with each other about Mesothelioma. | | | | to let you know if there areany support groups |
| This is not unusual as they may be scared of | | | | near to you. |
| frightening you or make it moredifficult to talk | | | | As you are having treatment, you will find that |
| about in the future. Most Mesothelioma patients | | | | you may not be able to do asmuch as you would |
| feel thata problem shared is a problem halved. In | | | | like on a day to day basis. Once you start to feel |
| some cases, patients feel it is bestjust to be | | | | a littlebetter, try and do some simple tasks and |
| listened to and know that someone is there if a | | | | do a little more each day. This willhelp with |
| 'good pairof listening ears' is needed. Get the | | | | confidence but always remember not to over do |
| subject out in the open. | | | | things. |
| 3: How to tell children. | | | | A lot of patients try to fight Mesothelioma by |
| It is never easy to tell children about | | | | planning a healthy diet, learningrelaxation |
| Mesothelioma, even more difficult ifthey are small. | | | | techniques and taking regular exercise. You don't |
| Most patients will have small children, young | | | | have to dothis, only if you would like to try it. The |
| relatives or thechildren of friends in their lives. | | | | last thing you need are more dramaticchanges in |
| If the child you need to speak with is very small, | | | | your life if you're not ready for them. But if you |
| start off by explaining thatthe person in question | | | | do decideto give exercise a go, start slowly and |
| is very poorly. If the child is a little older, it isa | | | | set realistic targets. You will havegood days and |
| good idea to explain Mesothelioma cancer as good | | | | bad days so always plan your activity on how |
| cells and bad cells in thebody. It is also a good idea | | | | you feel on the day. |
| if you know a little about Mesothelioma or | | | | 5: Who else can help? |
| cancerbut overall, try to keep it simple. | | | | More support can come from your GP if needed |
| You will also need to listen to the questions of the | | | | and hospitals can give adviceand support through |
| child and answer themthe best you can without | | | | cancer nurses and specially trained staff will advise |
| trying to upset them too much. Starting off with | | | | youon any worries you may have. |
| smallbits of information and building up to the | | | | For financial help, check any insurance policies you |
| bigger picture as time goes on isa good way to | | | | have to see if you arecovered. It is also advisable |
| go. | | | | to seek financial help from your local welfareoffice |
| But don't keep any secrets. Children are good at | | | | if needed. |
| telling when somethingis not right and it may be | | | | Sometimes it is nice to talk with someone who |
| harder for them to cope with uncertainty that | | | | has nothing to do with Mesothelioma. |
| itwould be coping with the truth. | | | | You may want to try counselling or if you're |
| As adults, it can be natural to try and protect | | | | religious, speaking witha local minister or anyone |
| children from the truth butchildren can pick up on | | | | else involved in your faith. |
| unusual comings and goings and will feel left out. | | | | |