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