Mesothelioma Treatment Options, Oakland Asbestos Attorneys
ByMesothelioma cancer is a very challenging diagnosis to cope with, it puts you and your loved ones under a lot of emotional stress. To help you cope and manage this cancer are usually a group of professionals that constitute most times what you can refer to as your health team. You have to be conversant with the different members of your health team and the different roles they all perform. These are different members of your health team:
The Patient
Your role as the patient is the most important member of the team. You have to be a good consumer by gathering information and asking questions. Following are some easy ways to make the most of your appointment times with other members of your medical team:
Once you know the day and time of your appointment, start a list of questions you want to ask that particular team member. These questions could be about mesothelioma itself, about test results or about treatments you are undergoing or considering. It is also a good idea to write down any symptoms you may be experiencing so that they can be addressed at this time. If there is something you don’t completely understand, ask to have it explained in simpler terms. Above all, don’t be embarrassed to ask questions or request clarifications.
If possible, take along another person who can take notes, ask additional questions or record your appointment for later review. Sometimes it can be helpful to return home and play back what was discussed.
Ask for written material or brochures that can help in making treatment or care decisions . These might include information on nutrition, pain management, support groups or hospice or home care.
Other than your doctors, who could include your primary care doctor, surgeons, medical oncologists, and/or radiation oncologists, you will probably have the most contact with your nursing staff and your social worker. These medical professionals can be your best source of practical assistance when trying to navigate the waters of a mesothelioma diagnosis.
Doctors
Mesothelioma doctors are usually medical specialists of different fields of medicine ,they include respiratory physicians, thoracic surgeons, oncologists, radiotherapists, and pathologists. They all play different roles in the management of mesothelioma, some are involved more in laboratory diagnosis and work{pathologists} while others are involved in other aspects of treatment.
Nurses
All specialized cancer treatment facilities have specially trained nurses who are familiar with implementing the cancer treatment plan initialized by your doctor, and are trained to administer medication, monitor side effects and conduct routine tests. Whether you are a hospital inpatient or outpatient, you can benefit greatly from developing a strong working relationship with your nursing staff.
You may also request home visits by a registered nurse, if necessary. If approved by your doctor, these visits may be covered under insurance. Be sure to check with your individual insurance provider for details.
Social Workers
Social workers are a good starting point for newly diagnosed patients who are overwhelmed by their diagnosis and the many things that have to be accomplished and decided.
There are different types of social workers:
Oncology social workers specialize in assisting those diagnosed with cancer. Most cancer treatment facilities have certified oncology social workers on staff.
Clinical social workers specialize in providing services aimed at family therapy and counseling, or counseling for those coping with a serious illness.
Hospital social workers can help find resources in your local area such as home care, transportation services or support groups, and can also help you understand your diagnosis, your treatments and other care options.
Psychiatrists and Psychologists
Because of the emotional stress experienced by most mesothelioma patients and their families, they might need the help of someone trained to deal with depression, anxiety or inability to cope. Don’t be afraid to ask for this type of help for yourself or your loved one , good emotional health is essential to quality of life.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in providing psychotherapy and other general psychological services to their patients. They are licensed to prescribe medications such as antidepressants and sleep aids.
Psychologists can provide many of the same services as a psychiatrist such as counseling for depression, anxiety, etc.They are not doctors and they are not licensed to prescribe medications, they can only offer psychotherapy.
Nutritionists and Dietitians
Nutrition is another area that can greatly affect quality of life. Many patients lose weight because of anxiety associated with the diagnostic process, subsequent treatments or the natural progression of mesothelioma. Working with a nutritionist or dietitian as soon after diagnosis as possible is one of the most important benefits you can obtain from your health care team.
These professionals can help you be sure you receive enough calories, vitamins and protein to maintain a healthy weight, as well as tailoring a program for those with concurrent health problems such as diabetes or high cholesterol. They can also suggest ways to minimize the side effects of chemotherapy or other aggressive treatment.
Most local hospitals have registered dietitians on staff, or you can ask your doctor to recommend someone in your area. As with other health care needs, check to see whether these services are covered under your insurance. If they are not, there may be community-based services available in your area at no cost.
Hospice Care
Hospice care is palliative in nature, and provides comfort care by helping to control a patient’s physical symptoms as well as offering emotional and spiritual support. Although in most cases, care is provided at home, there are also hospice facilities that provide full-time care in a hospital setting. You can discuss the benefits of hospice with your doctor, nurse or social worker.
Home Care Agencies
Home care provides assistance in the home with daily activities such as bathing, meal preparation or household chores. These services are usually provided by a home health aide, and may or may not be under the supervision of a nurse. Ask your doctor, nurse or social worker for Home Health Care Agencies in your area.
Watch the video related to Mesothelioma Treatments
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an Asbestos-related disease, what is the next step? Watch this video to learn about Asbestos and Mesothelioma treatment options, and how our experience and knowledge can help you. Learn about all the different types of Mesothelioma treatment options, Oakland area residents. We have been helping victims since 1974- Call today for a no cost evaluation.
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Bello kamorudeen.For more information on mesothelioma treatment go to http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Mesothelioma Treatment-Who Are the Members of Your Health Care Team?
9 Comments
November 8th, 2009 at 9:33 am
Treatment depends on many different factors: stage the cancer is in, when it was diagnosed, if it has spread, plus the patient’s health. There are traditional methods of treating the cancer; there are also alternatives that one may choose to try.
The main treatment is usually surgery.
There are surgeries to remove fluids, remove parts of the cancer, remove tumors, or even remove the entire lung.
Some people also opt for natural treatments.
November 8th, 2009 at 9:52 am
Treatment for Mesothelioma depends on the location of the cancer the stage of the disease, and the patient's age and general health condition. Before knowing the best treatment, the patient have to past the process identification first. So the doctor will know what is the best for treatment.
Standard treatment options include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Sometimes, these treatments are combined. for more detail explanation you can read at the source link below.
Mesothelioma is very hard to control, the researcher try to find a new treatments and better ways to use current treatments. Before any new treatment can be recommended for general use, doctors conduct clinical trials to find out whether the treatment is safe for patients and effective against the disease.
November 8th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
The mesothelium is a type of tissue lined with special cells referred to as mesothelial cells. The mesothelial cells typically line the abdominal cavity, heart cavity, chest cavity, and the outer surface of most internal organs. Each cavity has a specific name for the mesothelial covered cavity which is:
Read More Here : http://mesothelioma-survivor-info.blogspot.com/
November 8th, 2009 at 10:24 pm
Dear Raviela I am NOT a doctor, but I do know cancer, all types including Mesothelioma, and i will be honest where most doctors will not be….
Based on what you are telling me here, it is time to call in Hospice since the chemotherapy is not doing anything and this cancer is spreading… There is nothing that can be done and Celebrex in NOT for lung cancer especially Mesothelioma… Also, the radiogrequency ablation will NOT help your husband since his cancer is SO VERY FAR ADVANCED…..
The way to help him now is to call in Hospice, stop all treatments, let Hospice keep him as pain-free and comfortable as possible… It is almost inhumane to keep hoping for a cure when for this type and stage of his cancer, there is NO CURE….
You did not mention here anything about where he use to work, did he work or live in an environment where asbestos was prominent etc…. I would also contact a good attorney who will handle a Mesothelioma law suit for you if you husband worked around asbestos etc…. Asbestos is the MAJOR cause of Mesothelioma in patients with this type of lung cancer….
You can refer to this blog which show you a articles and videos of Mesothelioma and Texas Mesothelioma Lawyers
http://the-cancer-mesothelioma.blogspot.com/2009/05/blog-post.html
Mesothelioma article:
http://the-cancer-mesothelioma.blogspot.com/
Texas Mesothelioma
http://the-cancer-mesothelioma.blogspot.com/2009/05/texas-mesothelioma-lawyer-asbestos.html
November 9th, 2009 at 12:11 am
Hi,
The following URL may be of help. All the best and if your specialist quit you, it is advised that you see a new one.
November 9th, 2009 at 9:01 am
Sorry, mine is not treatable. I can only tell you what it's like to know you are dieing.
November 10th, 2009 at 6:33 am
Surgery
is a common treatment for mesothelioma. The doctor may remove part of the lining of the chest or abdomen and some of the tissue around it. For cancer of the pleura (pleural mesothelioma), a lung may be removed in an operation called a pneumonectomy. Sometimes part of the diaphragm, the muscle below the lungs that helps with breathing, is also removed.
Radiation therapy
, also called radiotherapy, involves the use of high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation therapy affects the cancer cells only in the treated area. The radiation may come from a machine (external radiation) or from putting materials that produce radiation through thin plastic tubes into the area where the cancer cells are found (internal radiation therapy).
Chemotherapy
is the use of anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. Most drugs used to treat mesothelioma are given by injection into a vein (intravenous, or IV). Doctors are also studying the effectiveness of putting chemotherapy directly into the chest or abdomen (intracavitary chemotherapy).
For more info, go here: http://www.mesotheliomaweb.tk
November 11th, 2009 at 8:12 am
The ONLY treatment I've ever seen work (and work often!) is the Immuno Augmentive Therapy (IAT) Clinic in Freeport Grand Bahamas. They are run by British and Bahamian medical doctors, and are in my opinion by far the best alternative cancer treatment center in the world.
For some reason, their treatment (small injections you take several times a day containing immune system proteins) works especially well with mesothelioma, and they are well known for treating it, and often get referrels from Stateside and British MD.s.
Visit their website at either…
November 11th, 2009 at 10:22 am