Is Pleural Mesothelioma curable?
The average life expectancy for those who have been diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma is typically fewer than 18 months. There is no cure for this terminal form of cancer, no matter what stage it is caught at. There are several treatments that may be used to extend your life for as long as possible and to help you make the most out of the time you have left.
Why is mesothelioma so deadly? This rare condition damages the pleura, which is the protective lining of the lungs. Individuals who are exposed to asbestos may inhale tiny fibers that then settle in the pleura, where they form tumors. The more asbestos exposures you’ve had over time, the more likely you are to develop mesothelioma.
Because most asbestos use is now banned in the United States, this condition typically affects males over the age of 75. In most cases, a diagnosis of mesothelioma won’t be made until 20 to 50 years after asbestos exposure. The disease will have silently progressed for decades before you were aware of it, which won’t leave you much time to cope with your diagnosis.
Coping With a Terminal Illness
Despite your prognosis, no one knows exactly how much time any of us has left. You could have several weeks to several months left, or perhaps more than a year. Each person will react to a terminal diagnosis differently, and there is no right or wrong way to feel about it. You can also expect your feelings to change over time as you go through the stages of acceptance of death.
There are a number of ways you may react to a terminal diagnosis. Some people feel:
- Shocked
- Numb
- Upset
- Sad
- Scared
- Angry
It may be tempting to go into denial and not deal with your feelings or to keep them bottled up, but you will have to deal with them eventually. Admitting your feelings now and telling the people around you what you need may help you make the most out of the time you have left.
What to Do After Your Terminal Diagnosis
The first thing you may feel like doing after your terminal diagnosis is to talk to the people you are closest to. Tell your friends and family members how much time you have left, and you may want to take the opportunity to let them know how you feel about them, too. After that, you’ll want to tell any professionals who need to know, such as your doctors, accountant, or lawyer.
If you haven’t written a will, now is the time to get your affairs in order. Let your loved ones know whether you’d prefer cremation or burial and any special arrangements you’d like for your funeral. Making these arrangements now will ensure that your loved ones know what your wishes are regarding your estate.
For most people with terminal illnesses, this is a very emotional time. You may be wondering how your spouse or children will cope with your passing or how you will be able to bear leaving them behind. It’s normal to cry, and it may help to talk to a therapist. You may also have difficulty with coping with the loss of your future plans, especially when life is still going on around you.
Your Legal Options
You may also want to use the time you’ve got left to file a personal injury lawsuit. This will help you and your loved ones to cope with the expenses associated with mesothelioma treatment, the funeral, and the burial or cremation.
According to Pintas & Mullins, personal injury attorneys whose clients with mesothelioma received compensation of $3.3 billion in 2008 for asbestos-related injuries, if you were exposed to asbestos and you have received an asbestos-related diagnosis, you may qualify to file a lawsuit. You may have a valid claim if:
- You have damages as a result of your diagnosis
- You can document a history of asbestos exposure
- You can get a copy of your medical records that documents your diagnosis
- You can establish that the defendant owed you a duty of care
- You can establish that the defendant failed to live up to that duty of care
In addition to giving you and your loved ones the compensation you deserve, a lawsuit can hold companies that endanger the lives of their workers and customers accountable for the harm they’ve caused. This is the only way to get many companies to improve their safety standards so fewer people will suffer due to their negligence.
