Preface vii
Acknowledgments xi
Part 1 The Basics 1
Questions 1-7 address fundamental questions about mesothelioma, including the following:
What is mesothelioma, and where does it come from?
What are the risk factors, or who gets mesothelioma?
Can mesothelioma be prevented?
Part 2 Diagnosis 11
Questions 8-19 explain the methods used to detect and identify mesothelioma and the healthcare professionals involved in your diagnosis:
What are the symptoms of mesothelioma, and how is it diagnosed?
Should I get a second opinion?
How do I find the best doctors to treat my mesothelioma?
Part 3 Coping 31
Questions 20-23 provide practical advice for dealing with the physical, emotional, and financial issues raised by a diagnosis of mesothelioma:
What types of psychosocial support are available to me?
What should my family know about mesothelioma in order to assist me?
What insurance and financial concerns do I need to address following a mesothelioma diagnosis?
Part 4 The Politics of Mesothelioma 37
Questions 24-32 discuss legal dimensions of the disease:
Why all the uproar about this disease, and what are the legal implications of having mesothelioma?
How do I learn more about my legal rights regarding mesothelioma?
Do I need to have a will?
Part 5 Treatment 47
Questions 33-61 provide an extensive description of therapy currendy employed to treat mesothelioma:
What is staging and why is it important?
What are the survival rates for mesothelioma?
What is palliative care?
What, in general, are the treatment options for mesothelioma?
Part 6 Decision Making 101
Questions 62-71 try to help guide you toward the best decisions for your circumstance:
What are clinical trials?
What are some experimental or investigational treatments for mesothelioma?
How do I decide on a treatment plan when faced with multiple options?
Part 7 Side Effects of Therapy 119
Questions 72-86 advise what to expect with regard to treatment side effects and what to do about them:
What can I do to relieve my pain?
How should I change my diet following a mesothelioma diagnosis?
What are the benefits of exercise for mesothelioma patients?
Part 8 Recurrence of the Disease 143
Questions 87-89 offer strategies for facing recurrence:
What happens if my disease recurs?
Where is my disease likely to recur?
How is recurrence treated?
Part 9 Sarah's and Sarah Ann's Insights for Care Providers 149
Questions 90-97, written by the wife and daughter of a mesothelioma patient, provide an "insider's" perspective on coping as a caregiver:
How do I discuss mesothelioma with children?
How do I maintain a normal life when a family member has mesothelioma?
How do I balance all of the responsibilities?
Part 10 The Unspeakable That Must Be Spoken 161
Questions 98-100 address end of life care:
How do I decide when it's time to stop treatment?
What is hospice?
Resources 167
Glossary 173
Index 185