Mesothelioma victims who are diagnosed after being exposed to asbestos go through a difficult experience that is nearly impossible to put into words. The diagnosis can come decades after the exposure to asbestos occurred, surprising victims and their loved ones with potentially life-altering news when such a diagnosis is completely unexpected.
In spite of these difficulties, most mesothelioma patients will be relying on family members, friends and loved ones who are capable of making the disease and its difficulties more tolerable. Here are three tips you can rely on to best support a loved one who has been diagnosed with this terrible disease.
1. Take Action to Make Life Easier on the Patient
This advice may sound obvious, but helping a mesothelioma patient through action (not just words) can extend beyond grocery shopping and handling household chores. Depending on how close you are to the victim, it may make sense to serve as their point of contact who provides all relevant updates to friends and extended family.
Primary caregivers and the patient can be overwhelmed with delivering such news, particularly if the update is a difficult prognosis to discuss. In simplest terms, consider the meaningful actions you can take to show the patient they are valued and loved during their time of need.
2. Choose the Right Words
There is little doubt about the fact that finding the right words to say or not say can be difficult when supporting a loved one through a difficult disease. This is an emotionally trying time for everyone involved, especially the patient.
While all patients are different and should be treated individually if you know their specific desires differ from this general advice, it is typically wise to avoid invoking negativity into a conversation. For example, the following questions are typically best left avoided unless the patient chooses to discuss them:
- What are your survival chances?
- How long do you have?
- Are you feeling positive?
Well-intentioned points of discussion like these can often become unintended points of contention. Instead, just listen to the patient as much as possible and show that you are there with your love and support. With difficult diseases like these, sometimes there are no "right answers", so don’t feel compelled to give a response or keep a conversation going merely for the sake of it.
3. Time Is a Blessing That Shows You Care
Actions and words are important, but sometimes, simply being there is enough. If the patient has gone through difficult chemotherapy or similar treatments that make conversation unwelcome or outright impossible, your loved one will appreciate the fact that you are simply present. As much as possible, make time to show that you care, whether it is making regular visits or simply sitting down for a couple of hours and listening to them.
Of course, time can also blend into taking time out of your day to run errands and take meaningful action on the patient’s behalf as well.
Keeping these three key themes in mind, you will be well on your way to supporting the mesothelioma patient through what may well be the most difficult moments of their life.
For more information about mesothelioma care or to discuss filing a legal claim for a loved one’s mesothelioma diagnosis, contact The Ledger Law Firm to receive a free case evaluation and speak with a Ledger Law mesothelioma lawyer today.
