Checklist for Taking Care of Yourself When Diagnosed with Mesothelioma
When coping with a diagnosis of mesothelioma, there are some things you simply have no control over. But that does not mean you can’t be proactive on your own behalf. Below is a checklist of some basic ways someone diagnosed with mesothelioma (‘asbestos cancer’) can take care of themselves, especially in the winter season when other illnesses can only compound the symptoms of mesothelioma. The checklist below contains tips that are also very helpful for caretakers so they too can avoid getting sick, overwhelmed or burned out.
Watch your diet.
If going through mesothelioma treatments, usually chemotherapy and radiation therapy, it’s often helpful to eat frequent small snacks versus fewer larger meals. Keep healthy snacks that appeal to you handy and watch for which foods work and which don’t.
An unusual but effective tip if you are a person of faith, is to say a prayer and bless your food prior to eating.
Get plenty of rest.
Rest and sleep are essential to keep your immune system as strong as possible and protect you against other seasonal illnesses.
Stay hydrated.
Drink lots of clean water and other nutritious liquids.
Reduce stress in your life.
Stress affects your adrenal glands and weakens your immune system. Eliminate activities that are stressful, simplifying your daily routines and, for some, taking up a mindfulness or relaxation practice can be extremely helpful.
If possible, spend time in Nature or favorite spots.
Even a short walk outside or sitting on the porch in the sun can nourish and provide energy and a sense of well-being.
Get support.
Accept help from family and friends with things like shopping, cooking, housecleaning, and errands. Hospice and home nurses can be a source of support for everyone involved. Support groups, on line and in person, are also available.
Clapper, Patti, Schweizer and Mason, top mesothelioma lawyers in California, offer free case evaluations and also helpful resources and brochures regarding filing a mesothelioma lawsuit, the essential facts of mesothelioma, and treatment options. Please feel free to contact us today with any further questions.
