For victims of diseases like cancer, proper eating can make the difference between life and death, they must eat a very balanced diet. Cancer and the anti cancer drugs used to treat it can destroy the appetite and drain the body of vital nutrients so that it can no longer fight the drugs. Nausea, vomiting, and constipation, and even loss of smell and taste are common side effects of Chemotherapy which tend to reduce the desire to eat a balanced diet and ensure sound health.
The type of diet recommended for mesothelioma patients include foods from four food groups namely protein, fat, water and carbohydrates. Protein is the most essential part of a good mesothelioma diet as protein helps repair cells damaged by chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery. The prestigious National Cancer institute recommends that people with this cancer take foods such as cheese, milk, eggs, yogurt, nuts, peanut butter, fish, meat, and ice cream.
Fats are also a very important component of a good cancer diet as fat help store energy which the body can make use of later to provide a much needed boost during chemotherapy or radiation treatment.
Although fat intake depends on the size and body type of the person, but the National Cancer Institute believes that high calorie foods such as butter, cheese, milk, honey, sugar, dried fruits, and granola can provide adequate fat stores to be used by the body during the mesothelioma recovery process.
Water is also important because it helps to improve the state of hydration in the body especially during radiotherapy and chemotherapy when the body tends to loose some water.
Carbohydrates should also be part of their diet as they also help to provide the much needed energy to be able to cope with the effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
Some patients prefer to throw caution to the wind, and eat whatever they desire, believing that food is a simple pleasure in life and the joy experienced from eating their favorite dishes has a more positive effect than a menu of “approved” foods.
A balanced diet can help victims of mesothelioma maintain their overall health and improve their quality of life even though they will still likely succumb to the devastating effects of the disease Every mesothelioma victim should take steps to get compensated for the terrible pain and hardship that they pass through when they are diagnosed. They must learn as much as they can about the disease and how to get compensated.
Reference:Bello Kamorudeen http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com
Saturday, 29 August 2009
Man not myth

Having referred twice now to PETAL in the blog, I thought it about time to find out more about the author...
Thursday, 27 August 2009
Going underground

Having mesothelioma doesn’t stop Steve creating beautiful artwork; he’s exhibited in conventional galleries and online, but now he’s going underground….Title: Tulip...
Second childhood
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The last time we went to Didcot Railway Centre to look at steam trains on GWR, Katie was a toddler and...
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
Light at the end of the tunnel

It goes without saying that the internet can be a double-edged sword - some of the information you access in the...
Monday, 24 August 2009
Learning to expect the unexpected

We had hoped that after an extra week’s rest from chemo, Steve’s immune system would be strong enough to take on...
Sunday, 23 August 2009
The circle game

…We’re captive on the carousel of timeWe can’t return, we can only look behindFrom where we cameAnd go round and round...
Good weekend

Yesterday, we had a good day out at Claydon House, famous for its connection to Florence Nightingale, amongst other things (how...
Saturday, 22 August 2009
PETAL revisited whilst in limbo

In June, I said that Graham Sherlock Brown’s philosophy for living with mesothelioma sounded good to me. Two months on, how...
Friday, 21 August 2009
Reasons to be cheerful

What better way to try to pull yourself up after feeling a bit down hearted than to think of reasons to...
Wednesday, 19 August 2009
Mesothelioma Lawsuits-What are factors that will determine the verdict

Depending on the case, a verdict in an asbestos mesothelioma lawsuit can be reached relatively quickly, while others may take more...
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
Mesothelioma Lawsuits-What are factors that will determine the verdict?

Depending on the case, a verdict in an asbestos mesothelioma lawsuit can be reached relatively quickly, while others may take more...
Back to life, back to reality .......stopped cycling; in limbo

The FantasyIn the red corner: Steve; Velcade and Cisplatin; the medical team; the family, friends and well wishers support network. In...
Monday, 17 August 2009
Mesothelioma Victim- Hope for the mesothelioma victim

Do not let mesothelioma make a victim of you.A mesothelioma victim must never give up hope. Hope gives strength, and this...
Out for lunch ......the end of Cycle 2

Our lovely long weekend was extended today by lunch out with Jon and Sally. Can’t think of a better way of...
Sunday, 16 August 2009
Photodynamic Therapy for Mesothelioma-4 commonly asked questions

One of the newest and most exciting types of therapy for mesothelioma is called photodynamic therapy (PDT). These are 4 commonly...
Go West ....Cycle 2, Days 18, 19 and 20

To mark (almost) the end of Steve’s second cycle of chemo and a whole two months since diagnosis, we decided to...
Saturday, 15 August 2009
Mesothelioma Treatment -What is the role of Diet in the treatment of mesothelioma?

Friday, 14 August 2009
Potential Mesothelioma Treatment Uncovered

Recent studies have shown that Lovastatin which is a cholesterol lowering drug may be useful in the treatment of pleural mesothelioma....
Thursday, 13 August 2009
Immunotherapy for Mesothelioma-4 commonly asked questions

Immunotherapy is one of the exciting new methods of treating mesothelioma that is currently being studied. Immunotherapy works by boosting the...
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
Important Nutritional Tips For Mesothelioma Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy is one of the main treatments that cancer patients can to treat the disease. It involves the use of anticancer drugs to kill the cancer cells, however normal cells are also destroyed in the process.
This destruction of cancer cells leaves the body in a weak state. In addition, chemotherapy has a number of side effects, such as nausea. If cancer patients do not eat properly, they can become malnourished and pass away not from cancer, but from an infection or other illness in their weakened state. These are some tips to improve the nutrition of patients undergoing chemotherapy:
1-. Chemotherapy can cause anorexia{poor appetite} so choose foods that really pack a nutritional punch, so when you do eat, even if it is just a small amount, you are consuming nutritional foods high in protein and calories. Keep healthy snacks with you at all times. You should also consider adding daily multivitamin to boost your diet, but you must discuss this with your doctor before you add them.
2-Unfortunately, chemotherapy can also cause constipation and diarrhea - sometimes both in the same patient. To avoid these problems, drink plenty of fluids and avoid anything with caffeine. You may also want to cut most of the dairy out of your diet. Foods with good soluble fiber, such as mashed potatoes and bananas, can also be added to your diet to help with constipation and diarrhea.
3-One of the best ways to boost your diet during chemotherapy is to add as much protein to your diet as possible. Proteins, such as those found in meat, nuts and beans, can help you feel better during treatment, and can help fight cancer more effectively. Even if you do not care for meat or are dealing with anorexia, there are many ways to add protein to your diet. Here are some great tips for integrating protein whenever possible:
• When making pasta, add a beaten egg at the last second. As you stir, the heat will cook the egg, adding a great source of protein.
• Eat peanut butter with fruit.
• Add extra beans to soups and other dishes.
• Add powdered milk to recipes like muffins, mashed potatoes, and meatloaf.
• Prepare protein drinks and keep them with you all day, so you can get protein even just a sip at a time.
• Nuts are a great protein-enriched snack to carry with you throughout the day.
You can talk to a dietician about more ways to add protein to your diet.
4-In addition, if you’re dealing with anorexia, your should add many calories to your diet to keep up strength. Some of the best ways to do this include:
• Spread butter or margarine on crackers.
• Stir unsweetened whipped cream into mashed potatoes.
• Add honey to cereal or desserts.
• Sprinkle granola into yogurt.
• Choose dried fruits as a healthy snack, and add them to meals or baked goods when possible.
A mesothelioma patient should seek to know as much as possible about the different methods of treating the disease so that they can cooperate maximally with treatment.
Reference:Bello Kamorudeen.http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com
Tuesday, 11 August 2009
When you wish upon a star...Cycle 2, Day 17

No chemo this week, but a trip to the hospital this morning for Steve’s CT scan and an X-ray to assess...
20 Questions Every Mesothelioma Victim Should Ask Their Doctor

Every mesothelioma patient should have an open discussion with their oncologist. They should ask their doctor the following questions:1-What is the...
OBG....OPS.....testing, testing... Cycle 2, Day 16

Today was a test of Steve’s stamina…and mine, for that matter. We walked to the Oxford Botanic Gardens (OBG) this morning...
Monday, 10 August 2009
6 Types of Asbestos

According to the U.S. Bureau of Mines there are about 100 mineral fibers that are “asbestos-like” fibers but only six of...
Paranoia ......Cycle 2 , Day 15

The young man greeted us this afternoon with a smile and a firm handshake each as he invited us to sit...
Sunday, 9 August 2009
What Are The Two Main Types Of Asbestos Exposure

Asbestos exposure usually occurs in two main ways. Once the body is exposed to asbestos the fibers can be inhaled in...
Saturday, 8 August 2009
Mesothelioma Settlements-Out Of Court Settlements

From 1929 when the first asbestos related lawsuit was filed in the US up till now more than 700,000 asbestos related...
Good Day Sunshine... Cycle 2, Day 12

We picked up my new monitor from Surbiton this morning and went on to Ham House by the Thames for lunch...
Friday, 7 August 2009
Mesothelioma Settlements- Class Action Law Suits and Settlement Trust

Mesothelioma is most times caused by exposure to asbestos fibers usually at the work place. Most asbestos companies despite knowing the...
Appearances can be deceptive ....Cycle 2, Day 11

Unlike the mayhem of last Friday, the Oncology Ward at the hospital appeared quiet, calm and orderly when we arrived this...
Thursday, 6 August 2009
Asbestos exposure-What Are The 4 Diseases That Are Commonly Associated With Asbestos Exposure?

Asbestos exposure results from breathing in asbestos fibers. If rocks, soil, or products containing asbestos are disturbed, they can release asbestos fibers into the air. These fibers can be breathed into your lungs and could remain there for a lifetime. Most people don’t show any signs or symptoms of asbestos-related disease for 10 to 20 years or more after exposure. When symptoms do appear, they can be similar to those of other diseases. Asbestos-related diseases can be divided into 1}cancerous and 2}non cancerous diseases:
Non-cancerous diseases
Asbestosis
This disease is characterized by scarring of the lungs. It is commonly occurs as result of exposure to high levels of asbestos over a long period of time, as seen in work-related asbestos exposure. Smoking increases the risk of developing asbestosis. Initially there are no symptoms but latter some symptoms which show up include difficulty in breathing, chronic cough and chest pain.
Pleural changes or pleural plaques
This disease is characterized by thickening and hardening of the pleura (the pleura is the lining that covers the lungs and chest cavity). Most time the disease is asymptomatic {the people will have no symptoms}, but sometimes the affected victims may have decreased lung function. This might lead to the development of difficulty in breathing with exertion or sometimes at rest if the degree of lung dysfunction is severe.
Cancerous diseases
Lung cancer
This is cancer of the lungs and lung passages. Cigarette smoking combined with asbestos exposure greatly increases the likelihood of lung cancer. Lung cancer caused by smoking or asbestos looks the same. Symptoms for lung cancer can vary. Some late stage symptoms can include chronic cough, chest pain, unexplained weight loss, and coughing up blood.
Mesothelioma
This is a rare cancer mostly associated with asbestos exposure. It affects the lining of the lungs and sometimes the lining of the abdomen. Occasionally it affects the lining of the heart and the lining of the testis. Symptoms include chest pain, persistent shortness of breath, and unexplained weight loss, abdominal swelling and abdominal pain in case of abdominal mesothelioma. Other less common symptoms include haemoptysis {coughing up of blood} and excessive sweating.
These asbestos-related disease can be serious, though not everyone exposed to asbestos gets health problems. These diseases range form those that are mild and manageable to those that are very dangerous and very difficult to manage, leading ultimately to death.
Reference:Bello kamorudeen http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com