Clapper, Patti, Schweizer and Mason

Being diagnosed with mesothelioma and navigating the process of treatments can be very stressful for both the patient and caregivers.  Mesothelioma, a cancer primarily caused by exposure to asbestos, is not easily diagnosed.  First, symptoms of mesothelioma don’t appear until years after exposure and, secondly, they mimic other less serious illnesses.  Therefore, once diagnosis is made, the cancer has usually reached advanced stages, is incurable, and is causing much discomfort.

There are some treatments that will provide some palliative (symptom) relief.  There are also techniques that will help increasing the ability to cope, remain calm, and reduce stress.  Even for those who have never tried relaxation or mind/body practices, these techniques can be extremely helpful to help patients and caregivers.  Even a simple exercise that helps a patient to relax while waiting for treatment, test results, or medication can provide great relief.

Anything that encourages deep breathing, whether just focusing on breathing from deep in the belly or laughing or singing, will help patients feel calm and relaxed.  Watch the next time you get anxious or worried.  The breath becomes short and shallow, causing the whole body and mind to tense.  Breathing deeply helps bring oxygen into the body and causes relaxation of the muscles and decrease the feeling of being frozen or overwhelmed with fear.

One way to practice deep breathing is to take a deep breath so that it fills your lower belly (your belly will raise like a balloon filling.)  Then hold the breath for several seconds, as long as comfortable- don’t force it.  Then exhale slowly through relaxed, open lips.  Do this several times, and then focus on the areas of your body that are already relaxed (even if parts are still tense or your mind is still busy with thoughts.)  Focusing on what is already relaxed in you will help.  A nurse, palliative care specialist, or perhaps even a loved one can teach this and do it with you.

Meditation or prayer is also another traditional way many people use to relax and cope.  The goal is to focus the meditation or prayer in a way that relaxes the mind and creates an experience of peace.  Gently notice every time a feeling or thought arises that creates fear or anxiety, and instead replace it with a word that invokes peace or with a prayer.  When the thoughts or emotions come up again, which they will, trying to pull you back into stressful thinking, simply try to notice them without judgment, like you were an observer.  Then bring your focus back to your breath or prayer.  If you can detach even a little bit from your thoughts and emotions, they will not have such a strong pull and you will have more choice to stay calm and peaceful.

One other technique that can help is to active visualization, which is simply to remember a time or place that you actually experienced joy, peace, and were very calm and relaxed.  For me, that is at the beach.  I cannot be stressed out while listening to the waves of the ocean.  This is so true for me that even just listening to a tape of sounds from the ocean calm me.  I once had a very painful surgery and asked the surgeon if I could listen to music while being put under, during the operation and especially while coming out of anesthesia.  I listened to the sounds of waves and it helped me a great deal.

We hope that some of these techniques will help ease the challenges that come with dealing with a diagnosis of mesothelioma.  If you would like more information, consult with the nurses or palliative care team.  Cancer support groups can also be very beneficial, not only to patients but caregivers as well.  Ask your oncologist for referrals.