Mesothelioma

Noellesmom said:

First of all

Please take a breath.  From your post I can tell it has been awhile since you took a breath and then exhaled.

I know how frightening and upsetting this is.  My husband had stage IV throat cancer six years ago and now lives with the after effects of treatment

We count ourselves blessed most days.

You have both been through a lot.  I understand your children live some distance away.  Have you looked into home health care or a local volunteer service that would give you some respite care for your husband?  You need some time away from the stress for your own health needs, hair appointments, etc.  Your husband needs the fresh breath of air people new to the situation can bring.

Ask your oncology nurse for local resources. Talk to your pastor or call a local church if you don't have one.  The United Methodist Church has St. Stephen's ministers who are trained to help with your specific needs.

Come back and let us know how you are doing.  Please remember you must take care of yourself, Meso.

Thanks, I do need to take a breath.  He has been in the hospital nine times since August.  I did ask about home health.  They said he did not need at this point.  I do not understand that but that is the way it is.  My pastor and church know he is sick.  They are supportive but have not visited us in several months.  If we are not in church they know he is either in the hospital or home sick.  I guess everyone is so busy with their own lives that they do not have time for others.  I had family help before my mother died.  I see now what a huge difference it makes.  We are doing the best we can.  I just want to know if anyone knows anything about mesothelioma and the chemo treatment.  I have seen many people sick in my life but nothing like this.  Thanks for the kind words.  I was hoping to find something like this online because I can't leave him to go to a support group or anything else.

I just went to the resource site in upper left corner.  There are three post on there.  All from an attorney!!!  This makes me sick.  No other resources in the resource library.  I understand there is a legal side to Mesothelioma but I want the other side!  The side where people are living and dealing with mesothelioma.  Personally, I am disgusted that a cancer site would allow an attorney to advertise on it.  Yes, there is information on there about signs and symptoms but they are there because they want to make money.  I wish one time someone would say, sorry about your husband.  Is he ok?  The first thing peopel say is " did you know you should get an attorney for that"?  {Not people on here that have responded)  (You have not mentioned it)  It is the people in our daily lives.  I know people mean well and are only saying what they hear on tv EVERY DAY but it makes me sick to my stomach.  My husband is worth more to me than any amount of money!!  I am sorry if I seem ill.  I just get so sick of this!!  I want to read things that are not written by an attorney.  Thanks for letting me vent. 

Update:  My husband had a PET Scan last week.  It shows there is a place on two differnet lymp nodes, one on thyroid, one betwen heart and lung.  The doctor did not say the cancer was spreading but I can see it on the results of the scan they gave me.  They gave him the option of three more cheom treatments or stopping chemo for a while.  He wanted them to do the chemo.  In his mind he thinks it will make the cancer go away.  These places did not show up on the previous scan.  This is horrible.  I try to stay positive and smile.  He has no clue how worried I am about this last scan.  Mesothelioma is an awful disease.  If anyone is dealing with it please contact me.  The post on here are from 2003 and 2009.  I know it is rare so I guess it is not easy to find a person to talk to that has experience in this area.  Thanks everyone.

Is anyone out there dealing with mesothelioma?