The Role of the Children in Mesothelioma Care

How Children Can Support Their Parents During Their Battle With Mesothelioma

When your father or mother is diagnosed with mesothelioma, more than likely there are hundreds of questions running through your mind, such as, “How did he get this disease?”; “How serious is this?”, “What will happen next?”; “What treatment options are available?”; and “Where should we go for treatment?”

It is natural to be overwhelmed and frightened at this time, but realizing that your mother and father are also reeling from the news can help to spur you into action to offer them the support they so desperately need during this trying time of their lives.

Key Facts About Mesothelioma

There are several key facts you should know about mesothelioma as you build your plan of action. The first thing you need to understand is that mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive form of cancer.  In addition, the only known cause for the disease is exposure to asbestos, and that most likely occurred during the years your father worked in a trade, factory or in the military, where asbestos-containing products were prevalent.  The disease has an extended latency period, and your father more than likely faced exposure at a time when little was done to protect people from inhaling the loose particles.

Asbestos is very durable. Once inhaled or ingested, the body is unable to break down, transform, digest or expel the toxic mineral. Instead, the asbestos remains in the body until it leads to cancer or another asbestos-related disease.  Mesothelioma is entirely preventable by the companies that made asbestos-containing products.

Approximately 3,000 Americans are diagnosed with mesothelioma each year.  The disease is extremely difficult to treat, but there are viable options available to your parent, and it is important that you help guide him or her to find the most appropriate treatment.

Find a Mesothelioma Specialist

One of the first things you’ll want to do is get the best medical care for your father. Due to mesothelioma’s relative rarity among the general population, it is recommended that mesothelioma treatment be led by a mesothelioma specialist rather than by a primary physician.  Mesothelioma specialists are aware of the latest research, and they are able to develop a more informed treatment plan than would a physician who does not specialize in the disease.

Our website contains listings for physicians in every state, and we include their bio and contact information.

• Mesothelioma Hospitals
• Mesothelioma Specialists

When your family is comfortable with physicians, you will all feel empowered to proactively participate in making the decisions for your parent’s care, and this can help ease some of the emotional burden of mesothelioma.

Contact a Mesothelioma Lawyer

Unfortunately, shortly after the medical treatments begin for your father, the medical bills will begin to arrive.  Another critical step for supporting your parents is to make sure you and your parents are protected from medical bills.

Remember that you are your father’s best advocate, and anything you can do to let him know that the family will be taken care of will also help ease his mind.  The medical bills may seem daunting, but it is important to realize that you are not alone when it comes to finding the best way to manage the financial burden.

Make sure your parent knows that he or she has legal rights and can pursue an asbestos exposure lawsuit against the companies that made the products that exposed him or her to asbestos.

Our mesothelioma attorneys, are dedicated to helping mesothelioma victims obtain compensation from manufacturers of asbestos products.  They are available to help you and your family.

Know that your parents will appreciate everything you do to help them.  Many times, just being there by your father’s side is all you need to do to let him know he is not alone.

Contact us today or call 877-493-6362