Mesothelioma is devastating. On top of the symptoms they are already experiencing, mesothelioma victims learn that there is no cure for the disease, treatments at best slow the advance of the disease, that the average survival rate after diagnosis is one year, and that they can expect the disease to spread rapidly and painfully through their body.
No one wants to suffer through this terrible disease, and no one wants to watch a loved one suffer through it either. Yet, the horrific greed of asbestos companies has left a tragic legacy – as many as 3000 victims and families have to deal with a mesothelioma diagnosis every year in the United States.
The emotional and financial toll on the family is often put on the back burner as treatment options are explored and initiated. Wives and husbands have to put their lives on hold as they care for those they love, take them to treatments, feed, bathe, and medicate them. Their own needs are often forgotten until exhaustion hits.
Add to this the emotional pain of watching one of the people you love most in this world go through such agony and despair. Many spouses we’ve spoken to say they’d rather have the disease themselves than watch the love of their life suffer so much.
On top of all of this, most families feel tremendous financial strain as they try to pay for medical bills following treatment. A person must put their last wishes and finances in order, and this typically involves legal expenses. Income from work ceases. Then, after their loved one passes, a family must find a way to pay for a funeral and burial or cremation expenses.
Right away and for the rest of their lives, the loss of the victim is felt sharply. In legal terms, this is called loss of companionship. In reality, people must learn to live without someone they’ve shared their life with for decades.
All of these factors create what is often an overwhelming strain on spouses and family members of the victim. Deep anxiety and depression can occur.
That’s why we believe that families need support during this time as well. There is a comprehensive list of caregiver resources available here that we hope will make this situation just a bit easier. Contact us for a free mesothelioma information guide that includes tips for keeping yourself healthy, dealing with the emotional strain, how to care for your loved one, keeping documents organized, and much more.
Tags: asbestos, mesothelioma
