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Taking a Positive Attitude After a Mesothelioma Diagnosis

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

by Nancy Meredith
Receiving the tragic news that you have malignant mesothelioma can be devastating and will likely result in upheaval in your life and your family’s life, stress, and the feeling of despair. However, research now confirms what many individuals have been saying, “it was one of the best things that ever happened to me.”

Mesothelioma is a serious cancer that occurs in individuals exposed to airborne asbestos fibers. Even small amounts of asbestos and infrequent exposure can create a risk for contracting mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. Mesothelioma is highly aggressive and is resistant to many cancer treatments. Although there is no cure for mesothelioma, it can be treated with varying degrees of success through the use of surgical procedures, chemotherapy and radiation.

Treatment for mesothelioma can be challenging and difficult, but those patients that look to live their lives to the fullest after a bleak prognosis can experience a spiritual awakening or become aware of their inner strength. The positive attitude and feelings of emotional growth are what researchers call “post-traumatic growth.” While the phenomenon can affect survivors in a variety of ways, those cancer patients that focus on life down-the-road can find a silver lining in their struggle.

Positive Change
Richard G. Tedeschi, PhD, professor of psychology at the University of North Carolina Charlotte, estimates one-half to two-thirds of cancer survivors come away from their experience with some kind of positive change. Terry Healey who faced a malignant maxillary tumor at 20 years old agrees with Tedeschi. Now 23 years and 20 surgeries later Healey is cancer free and is a motivational speaker and businessman. Healey says he is a much stronger and wiser person because of the cancer.

Tedeschi has found the following positive outcomes are the most common among cancer patients:

• A deepened appreciation of life.
• Enhanced relationships with others.
• An appreciation for personal strength and endurance.
• Setting out on new pathways or pursuing new interests and opportunities.
• Spiritual growth and development.

A New Outlook
Patricia Mumby, RN, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences at Loyola University Chicago and director of Loyola’s Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center says that many people often take life for granted. Once someone receives life-altering news such as a diagnosis of mesothelioma, or any other type of cancer, though, people begin questioning their life and look for things that they can change or improve.

Many times roles are reversed when a family member is diagnosed with cancer, the child takes care of the parent, and cancer can help bring families closer together. During treatment, and the cancer journey, family members and friends gain a deep understanding and appreciation for the others that they might not otherwise have seen.

Tim McGraw even wrote a song entitled “Live Like You Were Dying” about the positive changes a man made after being diagnosed with a life-threatening disease, assumingly cancer. The chorus echos what researchers and patients have said:

“And I loved deeper and I spoke sweeter,”
“And I gave forgiveness I’d been denying.”
An’ he said: “Some day, I hope you get the chance,”
“To live like you were dyin’.”

Fight Fearful Thoughts
Not everyone will leave their cancer experience feeling like a new person or excited about the prospects of life, but they can still avoid the feelings of despair by avoiding fearful thoughts. Healey discovered during his cancer journey that “we can all face our challenges, but we need to focus on the most pressing issues, so we don’t get overwhelmed with all that we want to improve about ourselves.”

Fighting mesothelioma is agonizing and even the most positive of patients will have days when they are despondent. According to Mumby finding a silver lining as you struggle with cancer does not have to be all-or-nothing. Mumby says, “people can be feeling the stress of the cancer at the same time that they are able to find something positive,” she says. “It’s often a matter of degree.

Sources:
Beyond Face Value
Cancer’s Silver Lining
Mesothelioma Support & Help

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Labels: Featured Story

posted by Nancy Meredith at 8:00 AM
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