If you’ve been diagnosed with mesothelioma, there are ways you can make your time left more comfortable. Your doctor knows what’s best for you, but even so, staying positive is understandably difficult. Here are three things you should consider doing when living with mesothelioma.

1. Know the disease

Know that there are two types of mesothelioma; peritoneal, where the cancer forms on the lining of the abdomen, and pleural, where the cancer forms on the lungs’ lining. The four mesothelioma stages indicate how the disease has progressed, with Stage 1 limited to the lungs and Stage 4 meaning the condition has spread to the other side of the chest.

Your doctor can explain confusing terms and outline resources so that you may have an easier time living with the disease. Even having insight into where you caught asbestos-caused mesothelioma may inspire you to advocate on behalf of others. The Internet contains many stories about people who battled with mesothelioma and still found meaning in educating and speaking to others.

2. Know your treatment plan

Building a treatment plan is meant to help you enjoy life as much as possible. It means working with your doctor to determine your prognosis, what symptoms to look for, and what treatments will best suit you. Additionally, you’ll also want to consider how others managed the diagnosis.
According to the Mesothelioma Cancer Network, the mesothelioma survival rate refers to the percentage of people still living after receiving a diagnosis. How long you live depends on the cell type, what stage the illness is, and your overall health.

Your doctor is a specialist who will help you to understand mesothelioma better. Research shows people who have a sense of self-awareness about a diagnosis are better equipped, mentally and physically, to battle an illness. Additionally, know that being honest about symptoms and talking about your daily habits doesn’t make you weak.

3. Follow the doctor’s orders

Simply adhering to your doctor’s guidelines can improve the outcome of your diagnosis. While mesothelioma has no cure, your doctor may recommend chemotherapy and other forms of treatment.

Unfortunately, many treatments have side effects that may seem to counter the benefit of treatment. That’s why it’s important to be open-minded when discussing either radiation, chemotherapy, or surgery. Modern medicine now increases the chances that patients may not have to endure tremendous pain with the disease. Even lesser-known solutions, like Korean Herbal medicine, have been proven to improve quality of life. You may also find that mentioning your own ideas and curiosities regarding mesothelioma is equally valuable as listening attentively to doctor recommendations.

Living with mesothelioma isn’t easy, but having choices can help keep you in better spirits. Many patients find hope in hearing survival stories and information regarding new treatments. Others may find solace in speaking out about the illness, so they can assist others with the diagnosis. For more information about mesothelioma, read more at the Mesothelioma Cancer Network.