What is Mesothelioma?
Over the years, I have dealt with literally hundreds of people who have had the disease mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a cancer in the lining of the lungs and, less frequently, the lining of your stomach. When it becomes cancerous, it is extremely aggressive and debilitating.
What Should I Do If I’ve Been Diagnosed?
It is important for people suffering from mesothelioma to have a close relationship with their primary care physician and hospice because they are going to need a very intense, very carefully thought out pain management plan. Unfortunately, it is invariably a fatal cancer. A pain management plan and a good rapport with the hospice nurses and your primary care physician are critically important steps to take once you’ve been diagnosed.
What Should I Expect?
Mesothelioma has side effects that can be extremely painful for both the person that contracts the disease and his/her family. One of those side effects is a great loss in appetite. As a result, we see our clients suffering severe weight loss and are almost emaciated by the time the cancer has run its course. Because the disease takes such a toll on the body, you must be prepared with a carefully regulated treatment.
The other thing people may not take into account is the strain the cancer creates on the family. These spouses, they’ve been married for forty or fifty years and they’re watching their partners die in front of their eyes. Trying to care for them and watching the disease progress is extremely brutal and they certainly need to find support groups to help with the grieving process. It truly takes a horrible toll on the whole family, but especially the wives and the husbands. Generally speaking, the hospice physicians and nurses are well-versed in groups that you can reach out to.
Is There Any Progress Being Made For Treatment?
When it comes to this specific cancer, progress is slowly being made. One should always have hope. But as a lawyer, it’s my job to protect you and take into account the worst case scenario, in terms of making plans for yourself and your family. We have to make sure your will and financial plans are properly in order so that your wife or husband is not more burdened than they already are going through the process. It’s my job to ensure the legal rights of the person who has contracted the disease, as well as the family, are covered in a court of law. We have a very special case management system here at The Segal Law Firm because we have had so many cases of mesothelioma come through our office.
I’m happy to talk to people dealing with this cancer about what they should do to legally protect themselves. It can be incredibly difficult for the entire family and no one should have to go through it alone. If you or someone you know is dealing with mesothelioma and you have questions regarding what steps you need to take to protect yourself, please give us a call at The Segal Law Firm at 855-344-9100.