What steps should you take after a mesothelioma diagnosis?

Hearing from the doctor that you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma can come as a shock. You feel many emotions all at once, including denial, grief and possibly even anger. And you may feel overwhelmed as your doctor begins explaining all of your options for treatment.

Choosing the right treatment for you is a natural step to take after receiving a diagnosis, but there are a few other important steps that individuals in North Carolina and across the country should remember as well.

1. Learn more about mesothelioma

Researching more about this disease after a diagnosis is hard, but it is important to learn more and stay informed. You should take time to understand:

• The symptoms to expect now and in the future;
• All of the potential treatment options, including surgery or targeted therapy; and
• If you have legal rights or entitlements to compensation if exposure to asbestos led to a diagnosis.

Learning more about the disease and your options helps you reduce your uncertainty and fear in this situation. It allows you to make informed decisions about your treatment and your future.

2. Start keeping records of your symptoms

To obtain the best possible treatment, keep a comprehensive record of all the symptoms you experience. Maintaining this record and bringing it to all of your medical appointments can help you obtain targeted treatment and empower yourself to ask questions.

3. Address your mental health

A cancer diagnosis not only affects your physical health but your emotional and mental health as well. It is easy to overlook the effects on your mental health when worrying about the physical effects, but your mental health is just as important.

So, after receiving a diagnosis, it is critical to:

• Give yourself time to rest and feel the complex emotions that come with a diagnosis;
• Reach out to family and friends when you feel overwhelmed; and
• Find a support group of other people with cancer to help work through tough emotions.

There is no doubt that receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis and determining if you have legal recourse is stressful, but it is important to take these steps and ensure you care for yourself as well.