Key Tips from Survivor Insight Series for the Recently Diagnosed
Cancer & Caregiving
Written by Nadia Persaud | Edited By Walter Pacheco
We’ve pulled advice from our Survivor Insight Series for recently diagnosed patients as well as the entire mesothelioma community. We hope these words of wisdom provide you with some encouragement and comfort in knowing that other people have been in your situation.
Deidre V.: Caregiver for husband diagnosed with Pleural Mesothelioma.
“Never give up hope and look for treatments. There are many hospitals around the world that treat this disease. My website tells of survivors of 7, 10, 14, and 16 years – all people who were told they only had a short time to live. Their attitude to this news was to say, ‘You can’t tell me I’m going to die soon. You have no right to take away hope. We know people that have survived. We will look for a doctor that is positive and can keep positive. There are specialists in these areas of treatment now who believe in helping people with mesothelioma, they really care.”
Jo D.: Survivor of three years and going strong after being diagnosed with mesothelioma.
“There are long term survivors of mesothelioma, and I intend to be one of them! Attitude counts for a lot, and willingness to pursue the treatment recommendations all add up to a better chance for survival.”
Lou W.: Nine-year Survivor of peritoneal mesothelioma.
“No amount of asbestos is safe, it kills! I believe that I am still here even though many other beautiful people have lost their lives due to no fault of their own simply because they inhaled just 1 asbestos fiber, because I am now their voice and will do anything to stop someone else going thru an aggressive horrible ARD.”
Mavis N.: Three-year Survivor of pleural mesothelioma.
“I would like to say that when you are diagnosed don’t listen to the doom and gloom. Fight with all your might. Don’t worry if you feel selfish as you are important, so if you want something then get it – do it.”
Christine S.: Survivor and fighter of epitheliod malignant mesothelioma.
“Give yourself time to come to terms if you can. Be advised by your doctor/oncologist what the best treatment is for you. Normally chemo is started straight away. There are other treatments available depending on how fit you are and if you aren’t given any information from your hospital, go online and find out whether you could qualify for an operation or go on a clinical trial, etc.”
We trust hearing tips from mesothelioma survivors and caregivers has given you hope on your own personal journey.
Are you interested in sharing your story? Join the mesothelioma community on Facebook and Twitter.
