Difficult Conversations
It’s always hard to tell those you love about a mesothelioma diagnosis (see Breaking Bad News). But sometimes that’s only the beginning.
When faced with a terminal illness, mesothelioma patients and their families face a rocky adjustment, transitioning from a future that felt more secure to one with a host of uncertainties. Many people are filled with fear and apprehension—emotions that can inhibit frank conversations about the future, and even cause some friends or family members to avoid the topic altogether.
While it’s natural to want to protect loved ones from these emotions it’s also important to honestly prepare them for what you expect to come. Such conversations, while difficult, can give participants tremendous peace of mind in navigating the difficult weeks ahead.
Who Can Help
A variety of professionals and others can help you prepare for difficult conversations with loved ones, or even facilitate such conversations. Among them are:
- Physicians and nurses, who can explain to you and your loved ones the status of your mesothelioma and its anticipated course, and help families build consensus on treatment plans.
- Mental health counselors, to address issues among family members such as fears, communication problems, denial, resentment, and more.
- Social workers, who can refer mesothelioma patients and their family members to resources at the hospital and in the community.
- Spiritual counselors, who can help mesothelioma patients and their loved ones grapple with the nature of death and life, and to find meaning in their life’s journey; such counselors can also help families resolve ongoing disputes, estrangements or other emotional “unfinished business.”
- Family members, particularly those whose wisdom, experience, professional skills or personal knowledge are likely to be helpful.
