Battling with any form of cancer comes with its fair share of challenges for both the patients and their families. As a family member, you’ll have to witness your loved ones undergo treatments and experience pain. Nonetheless, it’s your utmost responsibility to support them and be there for them. You’ll have to tackle various things, from costly treatments and medications to the patient’s deteriorating condition. Likewise, you’ll have to consult with the doctor and take your loved one for appointments. All of this can also take a toll on your health and well-being. But with proper guidance, you can make your way through it all.

Additionally, if your loved one has rare cancer such as mesothelioma, you must gather accurate information from oncologists. Since this cancer is developed by inhaling asbestos, determining its source of exposure will help you explore compensation options from negligent parties. Unfortunately, mesothelioma is incurable cancer. Therefore, if your loved one has developed it, you must offer them as much support as possible. In such trying times, they need your help the most.

Below, we’ll share some valuable tips that will help you look after your loved one battling mesothelioma:

Build a support team

After a mesothelioma diagnosis, you have to build a reliable support system to ensure your loved one receives optimal quality care. Since it can be challenging for one family member to keep track of everything, having others will ease the burden. Each member will be designated to carry out specific responsibilities, from determining treatment options to providing moral support. However, when exploring treatment options, there are some factors to consider to ensure you opt for the most suitable one.

Undoubtedly, helping a mesothelioma patient requires collective efforts. For this purpose, you should reach out to your peers, relatives, and family members that can become a part of your support team. Individuals who have faced a similar situation can share their stories and advice on coping with the adverse effects. Moreover, it’s essential to plan and schedule everything, from appointments to medications, therapy sessions, and everything in between.

Family members are indeed the primary caregivers. And so, they must all play their role in supporting the patient physically and mentally. Some members can look after the patient’s everyday needs, while others consult with doctors and other professionals.

Look for every treatment option

The standard treatment options for mesothelioma include radiation and chemotherapy. However, every treatment option depends on the patient’s condition. For example, if mesothelioma is diagnosed in the early stages, surgery would be the right option. But since that’s not the case for everyone, you should consult a doctor and consider all treatment options according to the patient’s condition.

Some patients participate in clinical trials to try different drugs and innovative treatment options. For instance, various immunotherapy drugs are being tested on patients with mesothelioma. Such drugs can increase the chances of survival by reducing the tumor’s size. They can even minimize the side effects, but it depends on the cancer stage. Nonetheless, the most crucial factor is to consult a doctor as early as possible to begin the proper treatment without delay.

Pay attention to pulmonary care

Mesothelioma patients require special care for their lungs. When the tumor grows in the body, the pulmonary symptoms also increase. These symptoms include shortness of breath, breathing pain, and constant coughing. But these issues are common and treatable as long as the condition doesn’t further deteriorate. So, explore different pulmonary therapy options to ensure the patient’s lungs remain healthy. Various medications can also heal breathing problems and open airways.

Pulmonary therapists can play a vital role in this regard. They can help improve the lungs’ functioning through different breathing exercises. Therefore, it’s only viable to ask your oncologist to refer you to an experienced pulmonary therapist.

Focus on the side effects

Managing the treatment’s side effects is crucial to ensure the patient has a smooth and comfortable recovery process. Similarly, it’s imperative to inform your oncologist if you notice any new symptoms due to the side effects of the treatment. Different therapies and medications can treat side effects, so you must address them as early as possible.

Patients who go through surgery recover within four to six weeks. Fatigue and weakness are common after surgery, so you don’t have to worry about them. But since chemotherapy causes vomiting and nausea, consider getting the anti-nausea medications after consulting with your doctor. To handle fatigue, ensure the patient maintains a proper diet and consumes nutritious meals.

Radiation therapy also causes side effects that lead to skin irritation which feels like a sunburn. For this, you can use topical ointments such as aloe or anything else after getting the doctor’s recommendation.

Try to heal the patient emotionally

Getting diagnosed with cancer can negatively impact the emotional health of an individual. Regardless of how resilient the patient is, such challenging times can take a toll on anyone. So, as a caregiver, you need to provide proper moral and emotional support to ensure their mental well-being. It plays a significant role in the patient’s progress as emotional stability helps them maintain the right energy level during treatment.

Moreover, you can even check out support groups where mental health professionals help people suffering from chronic illnesses. These support groups will allow the patient to discuss their issues openly with others who can relate to their situation. At times, patients feel guilty about sharing their stresses with family members. But support groups provide them the outlet to release their emotions.

Conclusion

Unfortunately, being diagnosed with cancer not only affects a person physically but mentally as well. Cancer patients have to go through a lot, from dreading treatments to experiencing fatigue and exhaustion. Nonetheless, with the help and support of loved ones, this challenging journey becomes somewhat manageable. Therefore, if you have a loved one battling cancer such as mesothelioma, try your best to be there for them at all times. From building a support system to exploring treatment options and offering a listening ear, you can provide your help in multiple ways.