Important Conversations if Diagnosed with Mesothelioma

Receiving a diagnosis of mesothelioma is devastating.  Mesothelioma, caused by prior exposure to asbestos, is an incurable cancer that begins in the lining of the lungs, heart or abdomen.  From the time of diagnosis, the patient most often has less than a year to live.  Although there is much research being conducted in the way of clinical trials, to date no cure for mesothelioma has been discovered.
As difficult as it may be at this time, there are certain important conversations to have soon after being diagnosed.  One is about end of life care and the other is filing an asbestos lawsuit quickly so as to get financial help.  These conversations will help the one diagnosed with mesothelioma as well as loved ones and family members to have more choice and control as the cancer develops.
As much as no one wants to think about dying or losing a loved one, talking about ones preferences when it comes to serious illness and care at the end of life, discussions around these issues are important to have before it gets too late for wishes to be expressed.  Without such conversations, people can end up at the mercy of the health care system making such choices for them, sometimes against their wishes.
The conversation might begin with asking the one diagnosed how they would like to be cared for in different situations:  in the hospital, after surgery or treatment, at home, at the end of life, upon death, and after they have passed.  Asking questions about life support, the degree of medication and intervention wanted in pain management, and whether to resuscitate or not will help to ensure that the patient’s wishes are known.  Knowing preferences helps to make sure the one diagnosed gets what they want in terms of care and treatment.
Many loved ones think that the doctor or someone else will bring up the subject, but many will not so it is important to be proactive if you want your wishes known and followed.  Before talking with the doctor, make sure that the family has had conversations that clarify the patient’s desires around care, and then everyone will be prepared when meeting with the oncologist or treating physician.
If you or a loved one is diagnosed with mesothelioma, and want to have more choice about end of life care, a very helpful guide called Five Wishes is used by Hospice and provided through Aging with Dignity.  This guide to end of life care and dying is useful for anyone to do, and one option is for everyone in the family, even if not ill, to fill one out in case they should ever find themselves in an unanticipated medical situation.  A hospice nurse or clergyman might also be helpful and provide support for such discussions.
Another topic many don’t want to bring up when a loved one is diagnosed with mesothelioma is filing a mesothelioma lawsuit and getting financial help to cover medical costs, alternative treatment costs, and any other monetary loss.  However, it is important to bring this up early on as all states in the United States have time limits within which one can file an asbestos related lawsuit, referred to as statute of limitations.  And since most patients will not survive more than a year, it is important to get this process started as soon as possible to have the best chance of either winning a verdict or settlement.
The attorneys at Clapper Patti Schweizer & Mason have been helping clients diagnosed with mesothelioma for almost thirty years.  Mesothelioma lawsuits are their specialty and asbestos law is all they practice, therefore they are leading experts in the field.  Not only that, because of their long history, everyone who works at Clapper Patti Schweizer & Mason, from the secretaries to attorneys, have experienced first-hand the hardship and heartbreak of this painful disease.  Not only do they win their cases, they are kind and understanding from your first call to after settlement or verdict.  This is important when you are already dealing with everything that come with a diagnosis- learning about the cancer,  finding the right treatments and doctors, and making other important life decisions.  For a free consultation, please call 1-800-440-4262.
This entry was posted on Sunday, December 26th, 2010 at 12:02 pm and is filed under Mesothelioma. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
View the original article here

Diagnosed with Mesothelioma? Choose a Health Care Agent

Photo by US Living Will Registry
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma choosing a health care agent, or what is also referred to as a “durable power of attorney for health care”, should be one of the first things on your list.   Mesothelioma is an incurable cancer that begins in the lining of the lungs, abdomen or heart due to prior exposure to asbestos, most of through one’s occupation.  Survival time from point of diagnosis is usually less than a year, so setting someone close to you to be your health care advocate is essential early on.
Designating a health care agent means giving someone you trust the power to speak for you regarding pain medication, types of treatments, life support, resuscitation, and end of life care when or if you become unable to communicate your wishes on your own.   It is best to have all this in writing and to let your physician, oncologist and medical team know who you have chosen to be your agent.
Your Health Care Agent will then be able to make all decisions for you regarding all aspects of your health care, including:
Power to direct, withdraw, or withhold life prolonging treatment, including artificial nutrition or hydrationPermission to allow, refuse or withdraw participation in federally regulated research related to mesotheliomaTake legal action, if needed Requesting, receiving or reviewing all information regarding physical or mental health, including medical and hospital records, and to sign releases to obtain such information on your behalf Make decisions about autopsy, tissue and organ donations, and disposition of body (in conformity to state law) after death
The health care agent only has authority to make care, custody and medical treatment decisions when the patient is no longer able to make them.    The agent then has power to make decisions according to your wishes that were expressed either verbally or written in what is often referred to as a living will.
Although having such conversations is not always easy, informing your health care agent of all desires concerning life-prolonging care, medical treatment and services, and after death procedures is necessary if you want to have choice around such matters, otherwise the health care facility will make them for you.
Having your wishes written and signed by witnesses ensures enforceability, as long as they are within legal and ethical bounds.  If you or a family member is diagnosed with mesothelioma, talking about such issues and making wishes specific and clear, is highly recommended.
If you have been selected to be a health care agent or durable power of attorney for your loved one, know their wishes ahead of time.  Ask questions so that you have a very clear understanding of what he or she wants.  Make sure that the treating physicians and nurses know who you are and how to contact you at all times.  Communicate the wishes to the medical team beforehand to make sure they can be followed without contest.
If you need help in having wishes enforced, ask to speak to the medical treatment facility social worker or patient representative.  Be polite, yet firm about making sure your loved one’s wishes are followed.  Take steps to take care of yourself as well as this is not always an easy role of responsibility to carry.
This entry was posted on Monday, December 27th, 2010 at 10:57 am and is filed under Mesothelioma. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
View the original article here