Life After A Mesothelioma Diagnosis

“We had no idea that anything was going wrong. In 2001, actually on September 11^th, my father went into the hospital to have plaque removed from his corroded artery.  And it was at that time that the doctors discovered after surgery that his lung had collapsed and was beginning to fill with fluid. So, they did drain the fluid, but the doctors on staff, I think they did X-rays and possibly a CT scan, suggested he had mesothelioma and that his life expectancy probably wasn’t going to be all that long…”

Your father’s mesothelioma diagnosis changed his life as well as yours

When your father was formally diagnosed with mesothelioma you were overwhelmed by a myriad of emotions. The first of these was surprise. Mesothelioma? How could he have gotten mesothelioma if he had never personally handled asbestos?

“You do not need to handle asbestos personally in order to develop an asbestos related disease,” the doctor explained. “Asbestos fibers can travel and anybody can unknowingly inhale them.”

Even though all of the diagnostics and tests confirmed the extensive damage the asbestos fibers had done to your father’s lungs, you emphatically denied the diagnosis. But one thing you could not deny were the changes in your father’s habits and behavior over the last few months.  He used to love going for walks, now he could barely walk up a flight of stairs without gasping for air. He suffered strange stabbing pains in his stomach, which could not be eased by Alka Seltzer, Pepto Bismol or even your mother’s homemade ginger tea.  Even the simple act of sleeping was impossible. Lying down obstructed your father’s breathing each night and he woke up each morning looking like he had stepped into the shower with his clothes on.

“Is there a cure?” you asked. “There has to be a cure.”

“I’m sorry,” the doctor replied. “All we can do is focus on using treatments and therapies to help improve your father’s quality of life…”

“Let’s cut to the chase, Doc,” your father interrupted. “How long have I got?”

Mesothelioma Life Expectancy

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At present, there is no cure for mesothelioma and the prognosis is generally very poor. Mesothelioma patients “have a life expectancy of eight to fourteen months after diagnosis,” and only 10% survive more than five years after initial diagnosis.” (Mesothelioma Symptoms) Mesothelioma is an asymptomatic disease, which means that in their search to find a cure, medical professionals will need to find ways to “overcome the latency period,” (Mesothelioma Symptoms) which can hopefully improve the overall survival rate.

Below is a list of factors that may affect your life expectancy:

The Type of Mesothelioma You Have- There are three primary types of mesothelioma: pericardial, peritoneal and pleural. All of these are lethal, “but how much we known about each form of the disease impacts our ability to treat it.” (Mesothelioma Symptoms) For example, if your Uncle Patrick has been diagnosed with pleural mesothelioma, more can be done to treat it, because it is one of the common forms of the disease.  Since pleural mesothelioma is common, medical professionals have a wealth of opportunities to “develop and test different options.” (Mesothelioma Symptoms)

Your Age-   Your age can play a role in your life expectancy. By and large, mesothelioma strikes an older demographic. “Statistics show that the average age of mesothelioma patients in America is 60, with the disease affecting men over the age of 55 in 75% of all cases.” (Mesothelioma Symptoms) Generally, an older patient’s immune system does not function as effectively as someone younger. A younger person “is able to undergo and withstand more aggressive treatments.” (Mesothelioma Symptoms)

The Latency Period of Your Mesothelioma- Part of what makes mesothelioma such a formidable cancer is the latency period of asbestos fibers. “The symptoms of mesothelioma may not be seen for decades after your initial exposure, and this extended period of latency allows the cancer to develop and spread even before it is diagnosed.  As a result of the late diagnosis, your medical professionals will likely issue “palliative treatments which can alleviate your pain, rather than fight the onset of the disease itself.” (Mesothelioma Symptoms)

Smoking- If you have smoked in the past, or are currently smoking, “it can aggravate your condition and compromise your overall health.”  (Mesothelioma Symptoms) In a single cigarette, there “are more than 4,000 chemicals, which irritate the airways and the lungs.” (E How) Smoking also makes you susceptible to respiratory illnesses such as chronic bronchitis, pneumonia and emphysema.

Weitz & Luxenberg: We Can Get Justice For You

Weitz & Luxenberg has been a leader in Mesothelioma and asbestos related litigation for over two decades. We have achieved more favorable verdicts and settlements for people just like you who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos lung cancer or asbestosis following exposure to asbestos.  Our attorneys have the qualifications and experience necessary to get you the justice and compensation you deserve.

If you would like a free legal review of your mesothelioma case, please fill out the form on this page. All communication will be strictly confidential, and there is no fee unless we secure a monetary verdict or settlement for you.

Acknowledgements:

E How: http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4564272_smoking-affect-lungs.html