1-Lung cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos. It is characterized by the abnormal division and multiplication of cells within the lungs and bronchial tubes causing the accumulation of tumor cells into a cancer.
2- In the United States alone, approximately 10,000 people die from asbestos-related illnesses, and many of these people are victims of lung cancer.
3-There are two basic types of lung cancer - small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer, the latter of which represents the large majority of lung cancer cases diagnosed in the United States each year. In patients with lung cancer, the tissue cells of the lungs and associated respiratory organs begin to divide abnormally at an uncontrollable rate. Cancers that develop in the lungs may metastasize to other regions of the body. These growths are composed of cells similar to those of the original tumor and are just as likely to pose a health threat to the afflicted person.
4-The symptoms of lung cancer are many and vary according to individual cases and factors. Some of the more common symptoms of lung cancer include persistent coughing, chest pain, changes in the color, volume, or consistency of sputum, the presence of blood in sputum, weight loss, or decrease in appetite, headaches, and general fatigue. Although these symptoms may indicate the presence of lung cancer, they are not by any means a certain measure of diagnosis.
5-A person experiencing these symptoms must seek a medical analysis for an accurate diagnosis. Imaging tests like chest x-ray, CTscan, MRI, PET scans are used to diagnose the disease. Also tissue tests known as biopsy are also used to confirm the diagnosis.
6- According to experts in the field of asbestos and lung cancer, there are a number of factors that can affect a person’s level of risk for developing lung cancer once they have been exposed to asbestos. The amount of asbestos exposure and the quantity of fibers that have collected in the body greatly affect one’s risk of developing cancer. It is important to remember that, as with most cancers, lifestyle plays a considerable role in the risk of developing lung cancer after exposure to asbestos. Smokers and other people who have a lung condition (or any illness) prior to exposure are at a greater risk for developing asbestos-related lung cancer, not only because their respiratory system has already been compromised, but also because of the synergistic affect of smoking and asbestos exposure. Many people who are exposed to asbestos develop non-cancerous respiratory illnesses, such as asbestosis, which also increases the risk of developing lung cancer and mesothelioma.
Bello Kamorudeen.http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com
Monday, 30 November 2009
6 Crucial Facts About Lung Cancer
Sunday, 29 November 2009
Have you worked in shipyards before? Then you are at risk of asbestos exposure
There are certain jobs that increase one’s risk of asbestos exposure. If you worked in shipyards during World War II and the Korean War you were very likely exposed to asbestos. The material was greatly used for shipbuilding because of its ability to resist corrosion and high temperatures. The asbestos dust tended to build up around these areas and other inadequately ventilated parts of the ship, which led to human exposure aboard vessels.
Not only the shipbuilders, but the crews of those ships and the longshoreman (those who load the ships) were heavily exposed to asbestos as well. In fact, before the 1980s, many longshoremen probably even loaded bundles of asbestos onto ships.
Before that time, the health risk associated with asbestos was not known by these workers and no special precautions were taken to prevent inhalation.
A scientific study revealed that 86 percent of shipyard workers with 20 or more years of experience developed asbestos-related lung disease or lung cancer. If you have ever worked in a shipyard or on an old ship and feel you may have been exposed to asbestos, it is important that you discuss it with your physician. As with most types of cancer, mesothelioma is best treated if detected early.
If you or a family member are diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease you should seek to know more about the disease and seek for legal help to you get monetary compensation from those that wrongfully exposed you to asbestos.
Bello Kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com
Saturday, 28 November 2009
A small step forward.... Cycle 6, Day 20
For the first time since the start of cycle 6 of chemotherapy, I wasn’t woken by the sight and sound of Steve retching into the emergency bedside bucket. In fact, it’s 10 am and he hasn’t been sick at all. A small step forward, but a very, very good one - long may it continue!
How To Recognise the early symptoms of asbestosis
Asbestosis is one of the disease associated with asbestos exposure and it is characterized by chronic scarring of the lungs. Thankfully however it is not a life threatening disease although it is chronic in nature. Most of its symptoms are common to other respiratory illness but if you have been exposed to asbestos in the past and you start to experience these symptoms you should start suspecting that maybe you have asbestosis.
Early Symptoms of Asbestosis
Asbestosis symptoms generally show up in three stages. In the earliest stage, it is usually assumed that the mild symptoms are due to general illness, being overweight or simply being out of shape. These are some of the early symptoms of asbestosis:
-Dyspnoea{difficulty in breathing} after exertion or exercise. This is usually the first symptom and it is most often overlooked as a symptom of some other milder commoner respiratory illness. Some other people just assume that they may be overweight.-
-Dry cough, especially a chronic cough that isn’t associated with other symptoms. For example, a dry cough that is not associated with fever nor other signs of infection.
-General malaise or easy fatiguability. - -Wheezing can sometimes occur early on as well, especially if the individual is also a smoker.
Mid-Stage Symptoms of Asbestosis
Mid-stage asbestosis symptoms include all of the earlier symptoms, plus:
-Dyspnoea{difficulty in breathing} that has now worsened with Dyspnoea now occurring at rest when the victim is not engaged in any physical activity.
-Recurring chest pain or a feeling of tightness in the chest area. Some people feel like they “can’t catch their breath” or that they cannot fill their lungs.
-Clubbed fingers or pitted, uneven fingernails - these symptoms indicate that the concentration of oxygen in the blood is reduced as result of poor absorption of oxygen into the blood stream via the lungs.
-A honeycomb-like appearance of the lungs in an MRI scan film.-
These symptoms of asbestosis are caused by permanent scarring of lung tissue, this causes inefficient transfer of oxygen into the blood stream. Asbestos could also result in the development of other more severe types of asbestos related disease like mesothelioma and lung cancer, so you should also be conversant with the symptoms of these other diseases.
Bello Kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com
Friday, 27 November 2009
3 Important Medical Costs Associated With Asbestos Related Diseases.
The medical costs associated with diseases that are related to asbestos exposure can be extremely high. Every patient afflicted with an asbestos related disease must be aware of the likely medical expenses he/she will likely incur. Asbestos-related illnesses can be very expensive for a variety of reasons. Understanding the expenses involved in treatment is an important factor when considering filing a claim against the company responsible for asbestos exposure.
1-Long-term care costs.
Asbestosis is a progressive disease with no true cure. If you are diagnosed with asbestosis, your physician will work to make you as comfortable as possible and maintain your lung functioning as long as possible. The use of oxygen therapy (which provides the body with adequate oxygen) is one method of therapy. Another beneficial treatment is respiratory therapy, where the patient works with a respiratory therapist to strengthen the lungs. A respiratory therapist can also teach special breathing techniques that will help the patient clear secretions from the lungs. This therapy can help slow the progression of asbestosis.
2-The cost of combination therapy.
Mesothelioma is aggressive and highly resistant to treatment. Once diagnosed with the disease, the average mesothelioma patient survives roughly one year. There are several reasons why mesothelioma is so difficult to treat. One factor is the difficulty in detecting the cancer. By the time the patient is diagnosed with mesothelioma, it has often spread. Another factor is the location of the tumors, which are sandwiched in the mesothelium lining. Because of these factors, any hope for a cure must include aggressive treatment. This may entail surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation in any combination, and includes frequent medical monitoring to determine how well the treatment is working. This form of combination therapy is usually very expensive requiring the use of expensive drugs and highly specialized medical personnel whose services do not come cheap.
3-The cost of participating in clinical trials.
Because mesothelioma is often a terminal disease, many mesothelioma patients are advised to participate in clinical trials. Clinical trials are used to test the efficacy of new drugs to treat diseases before approval for general use by the drug regulatory agencies {FDA in the US}. Involvement in clinical trials is strictly voluntary, and may provide a last hope of successful treatment for many patients. The costs of participating in clinical trials are not usually covered by insurance, as they are not considered standard methods of treatment. Some expenses of a clinical trial will be paid by the hospital conducting the trial and some expenses will not be covered which the participant will have to bear.
Medical treatment for asbestos related diseases can be very expensive and every victim should file a lawsuit against the companies that were responsible for the wrongful exposure to asbestos to be able to claim much needed compensation.
Bello Kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com
Thursday, 26 November 2009
Mesothelioma Settlement-Structured Lump Sum Payments
When you are diagnosed with mesothelioma, you should seek for monetary compensation from the people who wrongfully exposed you to asbestos fibers which ultimately led to the development of the deadly terminal cancer. This compensation will be needed to offset the huge medical bills that will arise from the treatment of the cancer and it will also provide necessary funds for the family of the victim when the victim most likely passes away.
Some lawsuits can result in payment of large sums while others are not that successful and result in the payment of little or nil compensation. The defendant may also opt for an appeal of the verdict in which case payment is further delayed.
Monetary settlements come in various forms and one of the payment methods that can be adapted is the structured lump sum payment. In this type of settlement the victim will receive an amount of money at periodic intervals like monthly, or every two months or quarterly until the money is paid in full.
One major draw back of this type of settlement is that since the money comes in small batches getting huge amounts of money to make the needed big lump sums of money for medical treatment is difficult. However you can by pass this obstacle by seeking the services of lawsuit funding companies who will turn intermittent payments into a big one time lump payment for you for an agreed fee, this will help you to raise the big lump sum amounts that you need for your medical bills especially.
In some cases, payments are made by settlement trust funds set up by companies that have gone bankrupt, many of them are offer lump sum structured settlement payments to the victims of asbestos related disease.
Asbestos laws and lawsuits are very complex so every mesothelioma patient should learn as much as they can about mesothelioma lawsuits and they must always seek for the services of an expert mesothelioma lawyer to handle their case.
Bello Kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com
Back on familiar territory... Cycle 6, Day 17
Although chemo is over, we were on familiar territory again this morning, back at hospital for Steve’s CT scan and X-ray. No food or drink for 2 hours beforehand, so we had to get up very early for Steve to have breakfast well before the deadline, to avoid the nausea and sickness that still troubles him if he doesn’t eat little and often.
The procedures themselves were very quick compared to a normal chemo day, even though Steve had to drink a litre of water (with something in it to help show up everything on the scan) as well as the usual iodine injection that makes it easier to see the cancer cells. The usual wait afterwards over a coffee in the cafe to make sure he didn’t collapse, then home.
Back to hospital on on 10 December to hear the results. I’m hoping to be allowed to arrive late for a work-related event in Bristol which starts that day, so that I can be there with him to hear the news.
Recovering from the chemo side effects is a long, slow process - Steve still needs the anti-nausea tablets first thing in the morning and late at night, but is gradually weaning himself off taking them during the day. That seems to be helping his head clear and he’s less drowsy….So, good news - especially as the last cycle of treatment isn’t officially over until next Monday, when this “rest week” finishes.
He’s a popular man at the moment - not only does the cancer care centre want to see him on 10 December, the Orthopaedic Centre wants to see him on the same day to see what’s happened to the finger joint he had replaced a couple of years ago. As he has yet to master the art of being in two places at once, I think the finger clinic will have to wait!
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
Mesothelioma Doctors- Who Are They?
Most mesothelioma doctors are specialist doctors in different fields. It can be an overwhelming experience when you have to see different specialist and having a basic understanding of the different types of doctors that you are likely to see will help you handle the anxiety that you are bound to experience. These are the different kinds of specialists that you are likely to come across:
Oncologists
Oncologists are doctors who specialize in treating not only mesothelioma but cancers of all types. They specialize in using chemotherapy or radiation therapy for cancer. There are two types of oncologists, those that specialize mainly in the use of radiotherapy known as radiation oncologists and those that specialize in using chemotherapy known as chemotherapy oncologists.
Pulmonologist
A pulmonary specialist, or pulmonologist, or chest physician is a specialist in treating lung diseases. They treat diseases like asthma, COPD and other diseases of the lungs. Mesothelioma doctors who are pulmonologists can also treat other asbestos related diseases such as asbestosis which may not involve an actual tumor or cancer.
Thoracic Surgeons
These doctors are highly specialized in doing invasive surgery on the lungs, heart and chest. These surgeons are needed when surgery is being considered as the form of treatment for mesothelioma. They can perform various curative and palliative surgeries on the mesothelioma patient.
Pathologist
Mesothelioma doctors will need the support of a medical pathologist who will do tests on you regularly to monitor progress. The pathologist will do blood and urine tests and interpret some biopsies in order to determine the condition and extent of your illness. The pathologist works mainly in the laboratory and hardly ever gets to meet the patient, but their contribution is very crucial to determining the type of treatment and the likely prognosis of the disease.
Most of these specialist doctors work in the big hospitals in the major cities and the mesothelioma patient will need to search for more information about them to be able to locate them.
Bello Kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
Mesothelioma Compensation-Are You Aware Of Structured Settlements?
The National Cancer Institute defines Malignant mesothelioma as a very rare form of cancer, in which the cancer (malignant) cells are found in the sac lining the chest (the pleura), the lining of the abdominal cavity (the peritoneum) or the lining around the heart (the pericardium).
Mesothelioma is a killer. People that have lived or worked around asbestos can show up with this killer disease 20-40 years later. Sometimes a brief exposure to asbestos is all it takes to develop the disease. Some of the places that a person might have been exposed to asbestos include: pipe insulation, insulation around fireplaces, some types of siding, clutches and brakes, tiles for floors and ceilings, boiler insulation, shipyard workers, paper mill workers, mechanics, electricians, bricklayers, millwrights, plasterers, refinery workers, carpenters, and others.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Mesothelioma, you should consult mesothelioma attorneys for legal advice. You may be entitled to millions of dollars from negligent companies. Many Mesothelioma attorneys will work with clients on a contingency basis, meaning that the lawyer will take his fee from winnings of the structured settlements and that the client doesn’t have to come up with money out of his pocket to hire and pay an attorney. Most mesothelioma lawyers will take about 40% of the compensation amount.
Asbestos cancer is a cancer that should have been prevented it is the result of deliberate negligence on the part of companies. People that have been exposed to it and developed this killer cancer from it and their families deserve to be compensated. Compensation in the form of structured settlements or payments can take care of the now disabled victim and the victim’s family.
These companies have set aside millions of dollars in the form of structured settlements to pay the claims of injured workers and people who have been wrongly exposed to asbestos and developed the cancer Mesothelioma as a result of that exposure.
Structured settlements are legal arrangements that provide the plaintiff with a personal injury claim regular payments, sometimes of various amounts, over the period of several years, and sometimes for the rest of the plaintiff’s life. These structured settlements can also be passed on in a will to survivors in some circumstances when the plaintiff dies. When a terrible accident or injury has occurred, negligence for example, structured settlements can be very substantial and a continuous stream of income can often be expected.
Most Mesothelioma attorneys will tell clients that the downside to structured settlements or a Mesothelioma claim is that it could take a long time for payments to begin, but the truth of the matter is that it does not always take that much time.
You should discuss with your mesothelioma attorney on the possibility of getting a structured payment for you and your family members.
Bello kamorudeen.http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com
Guest appearance... Cycle 6, Day 15
Hello everybody, and today’s blog is brought to you by the number 6, the letter Y, and me, Steve!
I’m told this the 100th post and I’ve been asked (told more like*) to write it.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your kind thoughts and encouragement, it really helps.
How am I feeling? Gradually recovering from the chemo is the answer. Since discovering one of the side effects of the anti-nausea drug is “lassitude”, I’ve cut back on my intake and I seem to be thinking straight again. The result is that I’m feeling more positive about things and am not dropping off at a moment’s notice, although there is still a slight trend towards morning sickness. Persistence of off-flavours still comes and goes, but that too is improving. I’ll soon be feeling “normal” again at this rate!
The next post will see a return to normal service, so it’s cheerio from me, talk to you again come the 200th.
* Editor’s note: It was a very nice request with a big “please”
Monday, 23 November 2009
Mesothelioma Clinical Trial-An overview of three important clinical trials
Clinical trials are used to find out whether the treatment is safe for general use and whether it is actually effective against diseases. Participation in clinical trials is an important treatment option for many patients with mesothelioma as much of the currently used treatments offer little hope for a cure.
Mesothelioma is very resistant to treatment h and medical experts believe that there could be an epidemic of mesothelioma cases in years to come. Clinical trials (research studies with people) are designed to find new treatments and better ways to use current treatments, raising hope for victims of this devastating disease. These are three important ongoing clinical trials for mesothelioma treatment.
1-Phase III Vorinostat (SAHA) clinical trial for progressive or relapsed malignant pleural mesothelioma patients. This trial is studying the use of chemotherapy drug vorinostat to kill cancerous cells and stop their division, it is also believed that the drug can inhibit enzymes that are needed by the cancerous cells for growth and multiplication. These studies are currently in the third phase to understand its effects on epithelial, sarcomatous, and recurrent mesothelioma. Phase III Vorinostat (SAHA) trials for progressive or relapsed malignant pleural mesothelioma patients are currently underway at the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center at UCLA and Warren Grant Magnuson Clinical Center - NCI Clinical Studies Support, Bethesda, Maryland.
2-Phase II AZD2171 clinical trial for patients with unresectable malignant mesothelioma Phase II AZD2171 for patients with unresectable malignant mesothelioma is investigating the use of chemotherapy drugs to inhibit enzymes that slow the growth and block the supply of blood into the cancerous cells. Cancer cells depend on the formation of new blood vessels to bring blood that will supply the nutrients that they need for growth, new drugs are being studied that will inhibit the development of these new blood vessels. This study hopes to result in the development of drugs that will be used to treat epithelial, sarcomatous, advanced, and recurrent malignant mesothelioma. These clinical trials are underway in Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming.
3-Phase II clinical trial on the use of Pemetrexed Disodium with Gemcitabine or Carboplatin in advanced malignant mesothelioma patients. The Phase II clinical trial on the use of Pemetrexed Disodium with Gemcitabine or Carboplatin in advanced malignant mesothelioma patients clinical is a study to study the effects of chemotherapy drugs pemetrexed disodium, gemcitabine, and carboplatin on advanced and recurrent malignant mesothelioma. This study is in phase II and is being conducted in several locations across the country including Delaware, Florida Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Mesothelioma victims should always endeavor to ask their oncologist about available clinical trials in their area.
Bello Kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com
Sunday, 22 November 2009
Mesothelioma Case Value-How Strong Is Your Case?
If you are suffering from an asbestos exposure related disease you must seek the advice of a competent mesothelioma attorney who will review your case to determine the strength of your claim whether your case is worth pursuing. The factors that will be considered by your lawyer will most likely include:-
1-A genuine diagnosis of asbestos related disease. Your lawyer will want to know if you have been diagnosed with this disease by a competent qualified doctor. A diagnosis by a medical expert is a clear indicator that you were at some time exposed to asbestos.
2-Your work history. Where have you worked? For how long did you work there? What was the nature of your job? Many asbestos related industries, like ship work, electrical work, certain aspects of automobile work have a proven history of asbestos exposure in the workplace.
3- Your prognosis. The worse the prognosis of your condition the more likely you are to get compensated. A bad prognosis will place extra financial burden on you to cater for expensive medical bills and treatment, it will also put on you the responsibility of providing money for your family after you might have passed away.
It is imperative for an asbestos mesothelioma victim to get an expert lawyer to guide him/her through the complex asbestos litigation.
Bello Kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com
Saturday, 21 November 2009
Little by little... Cycle 6, Day 13
Progress update:
- No morning sickness for the last couple of days. Will it last? Can we think about removing the emergency bedside bucket?
- No longer any numbness in fingers
- Ringing in the ears very infrequent and very intermittent
- Nausea still a problem, still taking the tablets
- Bad tastes in the mouth still a problem
- Fatigue, still a big problem - Steve is doing his impression of the Sleeping Beauty again, as I write….
- Cramps in the leg still a problem, but whether this is a side effect of the chemo or something totally unrelated we don’t know
- Difficulty concentrating is still annoying him - Steve just hates being beaten by a crossword or sudoku
Mesothelioma Lawsuits- Looking at the Case Response Stage
The second stage of a mesothelioma lawsuit typically is the response of the defendant to the lawsuit filed against them. The defendants in mesothelioma lawsuits are the asbestos companies responsible for exposing the victims to asbestos. The defendants are given around 30 days to respond and the plaintiff does not have to wait for ever. This is known as the case response stage of the lawsuit.
The defendant is served court papers either by mailing the petition to the company or by contacting the people involved especially if the company has been declared bankrupt.
Upon filing paperwork and sending it to the defendant, your lawyer may receive a number of possible responses. The defendant rarely admits to any form of guilt, most times they will make allegations against the petition.
The kind of allegations you should expect are:
- Your health problems were caused by smoking, drinking or drug abuse.
-There is a strong family history of similar diseases in your family.
-You were exposed to asbestos at some other places where you worked.
-You have not been properly diagnosed by a qualified medical professional.
-Your petition was not properly filed, even if you filed it on time.
-You were exposed to asbestos and other dangerous substances in your own home, not just at work.
-You do not have the authority to file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the deceased.
-Your medical condition has nothing to do with exposure to asbestos. Do not be alarmed if the response you receive contains one of the above (or a similar response), as this is to be expected. Some of the elements in their response may be used if the case goes to trial and your lawyer will be fully prepared to refute such fallacious claims. The response may include a settlement request, but this is rare.
If a company has dealt with asbestos cases in the past, they may be willing to settle right away in order to avoid a lengthy and costly lawsuit. However, this first settlement offer may be very low. Most often you will have to wait till when the trial is close or when the trial has commenced before they offer a reasonable amount. Every mesothelioma patient should have a good knowledge of mesothelioma lawyers and mesothelioma lawsuits to be able get the compensation they deserve.
Bello Kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com
the view from the summit... Cycle 6, Day 12
I’ve come to the conclusion that undergoing a course of chemotherapy is a bit like climbing a mountain.
It requires a considerable amount of time-consuming preparation before you take the first step. Going through the foothills isn’t difficult but it takes time, and you can sometimes lose sight of the goal.
The closer you get to the summit, the steeper the ascent and the harder the going underfoot. The air is thinner, it takes more energy to climb. Tough terrain and bad weather can cause occasional set backs and delays. There is altitude sickness and exhaustion to contend with, as well as the risk of frost bite and dehydration.
There are times that the cold is almost unbearable, and you are sorely tempted to turn back…But the end is in sight, and you can’t give up now, even though the final ascent requires all the determination you can muster and it takes every ounce of energy you possess to reach the summit.
And then you are there, on the top. Cold, exhausted, aching, but relieved to have made it. You have come out of the clouds and can see see the way ahead, whereas up until now you have just pressed on putting one foot in front of the other, step by laborious step.
But the journey doesn’t end having reached the summit. You still have to make your way back down again, summoning up some more energy from somewhere to work that tired body for the descent. Gradually things get easier as the body readjusts to breathing more oxygen. The altitude sickness eases off then disappears altogether. The gradient lessens, the ground becomes easier, and the aches and pains get better….
Steve is now on the descent. It will take a while before the side effects of the chemo wears off and his energy levels pick up. But he’s on the right track, going in the right direction and slowly but surely, it will get better with every passing day.
Post script
As the next blog will be No 100, I have asked Steve to write it (about time he contributed to the blog, other than telling me about my appalling grammar and typos)….Whether he will, or not, is another matter! Watch this space.
Friday, 20 November 2009
They think its all over - it is now! Cycle 6, Day 11
Well…very nearly all over, for the time being at least.
It’s twenty weeks and three days since our first meeting with Alana to discuss taking part in the Velcade drug trial. Since then, we’ve been to hospital 33 times by my reckoning mainly for chemotherapy, plus a few radiotherapy sessions, some CT scans and X-rays and three abortive visits when we were sent home again because Steve’s white blood cell count was too low to continue treatment safely.
Although no more chemo is planned, Cycle 6 does not finish until 30 November, so officially Steve is about to start a “rest week”. He’ll need that period to get some relief from the side effects of the drugs, which have been building up with each successive cycle of treatment.
We’ll back in hospital again some time in the next week or two for Steve to have the last CT scan and X-ray to see what effect (if any) all the chemo has had on Leo, take part in the end-of-trial assessment and talk to the prof in the Chest Clinic. More of that in the future….
But for now, we can both heave a huge sigh of relief that this stage in the treatment is over. Steve isn’t up to a big celebration yet, but we’ve treated ourselves to a big box of chocs and, I dare say, a bottle will be opened this evening! Perhaps tea out somewhere special over the weekend. All being well, he’ll be feeling much better by the official end of the last cycle and we can enjoy a big celebratory meal and let off those spectacular fireworks!
We’re not the only ones with something to celebrate today - happy 21st birthday Gina and many, many happy returns!
Thursday, 19 November 2009
Mesothelioma Lawsuits-Important facts for you to know
Passing through an asbestos mesothelioma lawsuit is usually a very challenging experience for most victims of asbestos related diseases. They are faced with legal technicalities that they have very little knowledge about. They will need an experienced mesothelioma asbestos lawyer to carry them along and explain things to them in a very simple manner that they can understand, their lawyer should explain every stage of the legal process to them and should also endeavor to explain certain legal terms which they will be exposed to, to them.Some of these legal terms are:
-Plaintiff and defendants-The victim is known as the plaintiff while the company that is being sued by you, are the defendants-
-Petition:-This is the official legal complaint that your lawyer presents to the court stating who you are and why you are instituting legal action.
-Interrogatories: - During the third stage of the lawsuit you may be required to fill out written questionnaires as part of an interview to collect data and facts about the case by the defendant’s lawyers, these questionnaires are called interrogatories.
-Deposition: - Also during the third stage of the lawsuit known as the discovery process, the lawyers might record the proceedings of their interview of you on a videotape, this is called a deposition and this can be done in your home.
The case process is a bit different when a wrongful death lawsuit is filled by the family members of a dead mesothelioma victim. Even if the victim passes away during the personal lawsuit the initial case will be closed and a wrongful lawsuit will be filed instead.
In any case whether a personal injury suit or a wrongful death suit is filled the involvement of the victims and their relations is very limited and the entire stages of the lawsuit are handled by their lawyers. The victim should also note that he/she would not be required to pay upfront for the services of a mesothelioma lawyer as most of them work on contingency bases meaning that they only get paid a percentage of the compensation that you receive , if you do not get compensated they do not get paid.
One of the major challenges you are going to face as a mesothelioma victim is the choice of the right lawyer to handle your sensitive case. Your choice of lawyer goes a long way in determining how successful you are going to be in your pursuit of justice.
Bello Kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com
Wednesday, 18 November 2009
Mesothelioma - History, Hazards and Dietary Advice
There are four main types of asbestos; Amosite (brown fibers), Anthophyllite (gray fibers), white Christie, and blue Crocidolite. Chrysotile has curly fibers while the other three have rod like fibers. These fibers fragment into dust quite readily and waft into the air. They can adhere to skin or clothing and are easily swallowed or inhaled.
Half a century ago, asbestos was hailed by many as a miracle product. They said nearly anything could be made from this mineral. It as used as an additive to reinforce mortar and plastics. Asbestos fibers can also be separated into fine threads that do not conduct electricity and are unaffected by heat or chemicals.
Use of asbestos drastically increased during World War II. Shipbuilding incorporated asbestos extensively in freighters and support vessels to insulate boilers, steam pipes and hot water pipes. Asbestos became the miracle construction material as it was readily obtained, processed, and transported. After WWII cars used asbestos in brake shoes and clutch pads. Asbestos found its way into residential and industrial building materials, water supply, sewage materials, ceiling and floor tiles, and vermiculite garden materials to name a few products.
In the 1970’s, following the discoveries of the health dangers of asbestos dust inhalation, the U.S Consumer Product Safety Commission prohibited the use of asbestos in several products that could liberate asbestos fibers into the environment during use. Regulations governing the use of asbestos and public concern since 1970 have created a significant drop in the use of asbestos in the United States. The same pattern has been seen in most of the developed world.
In 1989 all new uses of asbestos were banned by the Environmental Protection Agency while any old uses before that year were still allowed. The EPA suggested that schools inspect for damaged asbestos and eliminate any exposure or enclose it in protective barriers. Vermiculite, widely used in horticulture, became a concern of the EPA . They recommended outdoor use, limiting the amount of dust used, and keeping vermiculite damp.
Health hazards
Asbestos may create serious health hazards such as coughing, lung damage, shortness of breath, and lung cancer. Most people do not become sick in the early stages of contact but usually need continued exposure. This often means on jobs such as mining, milling, manufacturing asbestos products, and the building construction industry. Firemen, demolition and destruction workers, drywall removers, and anyone else involved in trades that involve destruction of buildings, ships, and automobiles are also exposed to the hazards of asbestos.
Over a number of years continual exposure to asbestos can cause very serious health problems, such as mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a rare type of carcinoma of the membrane that lines numerous cavities of the body, including the lungs, abdomen and heart, and has been associated with exposure to asbestos dust. In mesothelioma, the cells of the mesothelioma metastasize and damage adjacent organs and tissues.
Mesothelioma may not develop for a long period of time, often as long as twenty-five or thirty-five years before full blown symptoms appear. Not all workers who have been exposed will develop diseases, but workers who have been exposed to it may bring fibers on their clothing, hair, shoes, and skin home to their families. To circumvent this risk, most industries require workers to bathe and change their clothing before they leave work.
Dietary advice for Mesothelioma patients
Doctors and nutritionists may recommend a special cancer diet because many mesothelioma patients tend to lose their appetites due to worry over their condition. Also, those who are undergoing treatment may choose not to eat because of the unpleasant side effects they may experience. Chemotherapy and some medications may cause an imbalance of nutrients that must be corrected in order to keep the body as strong as possible and to keep the patient from losing an excessive amount of weight. Other side effects of mesothelioma treatment can include nausea, vomiting, constipation,dry mouth and a change in the sense of smell or taste.
In our childhood we were all told to eat our vegetables. Forcing down cabbage and sprouts was supposed to make us bigger and stronger. Well, so it is for mesothelioma patients. Diet is often an overlooked subject for cancer patients, but eating the right nutritional foods for strength and energy is just as important as taking the proper medication.
Mesothelioma patients undergoing treatment must follow a special cancer diet devised by their nutritionists. The details of every patient’s mesothelioma diet will vary. Some patients will need to incorporate more fat into their diets, while others may need more protein. Cancer diets involve eating the correct amounts of protein and calories as well as drinking the right amount of water to keep the ailing body replenished and energized. The body needs plenty of nourishment when it is going through chemotherapy or even when the patient is taking certain medications.
It is important that patients devise a cancer diet under the guidance of their doctor and nutritionist to ensure that they obtain the proper amount of nutrients to improve their quality of life.
Protein is important for any cancer patient because it helps repair tissue damaged by surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. Protein also helps maintain a strong and healthy immune system, lowering a mesothelioma patient’s risk of infection after aggressive cancer treatments. The National Cancer Institute recommends increasing protein in a cancer diet with cheese, milk, ice cream, yoghurt, eggs, nuts, peanut butter, meats and fish.
Fats are an essential part of the cancer diet because they supply the body with the necessary energy it needs while undergoing treatment. The amount of fats a cancer diet should consist of is dependent on a mesothelioma patient’s age and body size. The National Cancer Institute recommends increasing caloric intake with such foods as butter, milk, cheese, honey, sugar, granola and dried fruits.
Water is another essential component of the cancer diet. Without a significant amount of water, the body will dehydrate. It is important that anyone undergoing cancer treatment drink sufficient water to keep their bodies hydrated and replenished.
Reference: Michael Aldridge
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma has in the beginning generally non-specific symptoms. This may lead to delay in diagnosis. Symptons of mesothelioma patients can be: shortness of breath, chest pain or persistent cough. Some patients even don’t show symptoms at all. Other but less common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma may include fever, night sweats and weight loss. Different versions of mesothelioma can cause fluid, nausea, weight loss, bowel obstruction, anemia or swelling of the feet. Mesothelioma can come in 2 stages. The pleural one and the peritoneal one.
Pleural mesothelioma The TNM system is called the International Mesothelioma Interest Group staging system. This is the most commonly used staging system used in cancer staging generally. The system describes the absence or presence of distant metastases (M ), the extent of the primary tumour (T) and the absence or presence of cancer in nearby lymph nodes (N).
Once the TNM categories have been decided, this information is grouped together to give the stage. Stage 1 is the earliest stage and stage 4 is the most advanced stage.
Stage 1 mesothelioma affects one layer of the pleura only. It may have grown into the covering of the heart (pericardium) and the diaphragm Stage 2 mesothelioma has spread to both layers of the pleura on one side of the body only Stage 3 mesothelioma has spread to the chest wall, food pipe (oesophagus) or lymph nodes on the same side of the chest Stage 4 mesothelioma has spread via the bloodstream to other organs in the body such as the liver, brain or bone or to lymph nodes on the other side of the chest Peritoneal mesothelioma stages There is no established staging system for peritoneal mesothelioma. If your cancer is staged it may be done according to the TNM system. The TNM system is the staging system most commonly used in cancer. The TNM system describes the extent of the primary tumour (T), the absence or presence of cancer in nearby lymph nodes (N), and the absence or presence of distant metastases (M).
Your choice of treatment will depend on a number of factors including, the stage of your cancer any other medical conditions you may have . Your general fitness Unfortunately mesothelioma can be very difficult to treat. Nearly all treatment is aimed at controlling the diseaes for as long as possible and keeping symptoms under control. Mesothelioma can be treated withChemotherapy Radiotherapy Surgery.
Doctors and researchers are working to improve treatment all the time. You may be offered treatment as part of a clinical trial and not as a standard treatment. The results of the trials will be used to improve treatment in the future. There is information about taking part in a clinical trial in CancerHelp UK.
Mesothelioma treatment is designed to treat the immediate area of the pleural mesothelioma or the whole body. Whole body treatments are called systemic treatments. Localised treatments include surgery and radiotherapy. Systemic treatments act on cancer cells no matter where they may be in the body and include chemotherapy.
PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT THESE SYMPTOMS AREN’T ALWAYS CAUSED BY MESOTHELIOMA. IT CAN ALSO BE CAUSED BY OTHER LESS SERIOUS CONDITIONS. ONLY A DOCTOR WILL SEE IF IT IS MESOTHELIOMA.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma has in the beginning generally non-specific symptoms. This may lead to delay in diagnosis. Symptons of mesothelioma patients can be: shortness of breath, chest pain or persistent cough. Some patients even don’t show symptoms at all. Other but less common symptoms of pleural mesothelioma may include fever, night sweats and weight loss. Different versions of mesothelioma can cause fluid, nausea, weight loss, bowel obstruction, anemia or swelling of the feet. Mesothelioma can come in 2 stages. The pleural one and the peritoneal one.
Pleural mesothelioma The TNM system is called the International Mesothelioma Interest Group staging system. This is the most commonly used staging system used in cancer staging generally. The system describes the absence or presence of distant metastases (M ), the extent of the primary tumour (T) and the absence or presence of cancer in nearby lymph nodes (N).
Once the TNM categories have been decided, this information is grouped together to give the stage. Stage 1 is the earliest stage and stage 4 is the most advanced stage.
Stage 1 mesothelioma affects one layer of the pleura only. It may have grown into the covering of the heart (pericardium) and the diaphragm Stage 2 mesothelioma has spread to both layers of the pleura on one side of the body only Stage 3 mesothelioma has spread to the chest wall, food pipe (oesophagus) or lymph nodes on the same side of the chest Stage 4 mesothelioma has spread via the bloodstream to other organs in the body such as the liver, brain or bone or to lymph nodes on the other side of the chest Peritoneal mesothelioma stages There is no established staging system for peritoneal mesothelioma. If your cancer is staged it may be done according to the TNM system. The TNM system is the staging system most commonly used in cancer. The TNM system describes the extent of the primary tumour (T), the absence or presence of cancer in nearby lymph nodes (N), and the absence or presence of distant metastases (M).
Your choice of treatment will depend on a number of factors including, the stage of your cancer any other medical conditions you may have . Your general fitness Unfortunately mesothelioma can be very difficult to treat. Nearly all treatment is aimed at controlling the diseaes for as long as possible and keeping symptoms under control. Mesothelioma can be treated withChemotherapy Radiotherapy Surgery.
Doctors and researchers are working to improve treatment all the time. You may be offered treatment as part of a clinical trial and not as a standard treatment. The results of the trials will be used to improve treatment in the future. There is information about taking part in a clinical trial in CancerHelp UK.
Mesothelioma treatment is designed to treat the immediate area of the pleural mesothelioma or the whole body. Whole body treatments are called systemic treatments. Localised treatments include surgery and radiotherapy. Systemic treatments act on cancer cells no matter where they may be in the body and include chemotherapy.
PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT THESE SYMPTOMS AREN’T ALWAYS CAUSED BY MESOTHELIOMA. IT CAN ALSO BE CAUSED BY OTHER LESS SERIOUS CONDITIONS. ONLY A DOCTOR WILL SEE IF IT IS MESOTHELIOMA.
Reference: P. den Ridder
Tuesday, 17 November 2009
Blood out of a stone... Cycle 6, Days 7 and 8
The upside of the new anti-nausea tablets is that they seem to work. The down side is that they make Steve feel very drowsy, a bit tetchy and make it hard for him to concentrate; even just reading a newspaper or doing a crossword is hard going. He’s also noticed a numbness in his fingers (a chemo side effect not felt before), has muscle cramps in his leg (whether that’s another side effect or a pulled muscle, we know not) plus some minor loss of hair after washing. Thank goodness there’s not much more poison to take!
Having spent most of yesterday in bed, Steve decided to try to do without the new medication, if possible. Although he was sick first thing, he did manage to get through today’s hospital visit without recourse to the new tablets and without dropping off to sleep. And his head seemed clearer. So..a good decision.
Because he’d spent so much time in bed yesterday, Steve hadn’t taken on much fluid. This had a knock on effect this morning: dehydration can affect how easily or difficult it is to insert a cannula. It took almost an hour, two nurses and four abortive inserts to find a "good" vein, before Duncan finally hit gold on the fifth attempt. Talk about getting blood out of a stone. By the end of it, Steve started to look like a pantomime snowman, with blobs of cotton wool stuck on both arms, where the needles had been removed.
Five hours later, the tests had come back clear, the Velcade had been administered, and we were finally home again just in time to catch the last parking space in the street.
That’s it - the penultimate dose of Velcade is done and dusted. Just one more to go!
Sunday, 15 November 2009
Five months on.... Cycle 6, Day 7
It’s five months to the day since Steve was diagnosed with mesothelioma and he’s now almost at the end of this last cycle of chemotherapy. If you have followed the blog, you will know that the side effects of chemo have been cumulative in his case (everyone is different in this respect).
In recent weeks, the nausea, sickness and fatigue have started earlier, lasted longer and been stronger. There has been little respite even in the “rest” week between cycles 5 and 6. Yesterday, Steve said that had he felt like this at the same stage in cycle 5, he would not have started the last cycle of treatment. But with only two more doses of Velcade to go, I think he will last the course, determined as he is in spite of feeling rough. These Wrides can be stubborn like that!
All the comings and goings, backwards and forwards to the hospital over the last five months has kept us pretty busy. So much so, that there have been times for me at least, when the day-to-day process of getting on with living has dulled the bigger picture. A skin has formed over the raw emotions of the early weeks as we plough ahead, determined to be as positive as we can about the potential benefits of chemo and making the most of the days when Steve has felt good.
However, the veneer is fragile and the emotions just below the surface break out from time to time. Then the tears well up, as I remember that Steve is living on borrowed time. I have to remind myself not to give too much weight to the survival rate statistics which are so crude as to be meaningless when applied to individuals.
We keep telling ourselves that although he feels awful at the moment, he hasn’t had any chemo side effects that are life threatening or causing long term damage, unlike some people on the earlier trials of Velcade. And it seems that everyone who has Cisplatin (which appears to be the norm in many cancer treatment regimes) experiences nausea, sickness and fatigue to some degree, so he is not alone.
The cancer itself appears to be under control, and is not causing Steve pain or making him breathless. The side effects of chemo WILL wear off when the current regime finishes and then he will be able to get on and do things, and enjoy life again. Just in time for Christmas and the New Year.
Leo, please stay small and neat for a very long time to come. That’s the best present we could ask for this year.
Mesothelioma Facts
Mesothelioma is an uncommon form of cancer that takes place in the mesothelium. The mesothelium is made up of visceral and parietal membranes which surround organs and body cavities, such as the lungs or abdomen. The visceral membrane immediately surrounds the organ, and the parietal membrane is a sac covering the visceral membrane. There is a lubricating fluid between these membranes that make up the mesothelium. This fluid helps organs move easily between surrounding structures. In the case of the lung, it helps reduce friction between the lung and chest wall during normal breathing as the lung expands. Here are more facts about mesothelioma:
There are different types of mesothelioma:
In the abdomen, it is called peritoneal mesothelioma; on the lungs, it is called pleural mesothelioma; and if it develops on the heart, pericardial mesothelioma.
It develops mostly on the lungs:
The most common location for mesothelioma to develop is on the lungs. About two-thirds of all mesothelioma cases develop in the pleural mesothelium. This mesothelioma on the lungs is called malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM). The remaining cases develop in the peritoneal mesothelium in the abdomen. A tumor in the abdominal mesothelium is called peritoneal mesothelioma. Rarely, mesothelioma occurs in other mesothelial tissue, such as on the heart or on the reproductive organs.
It may have other causes:
Although asbestos is the major cause of mesothelioma, up to 30-50% of all cases are not clearly related to previous asbestos exposure. Other possible reasons include previous exposure to radiation or to particular minerals closely related to asbestos that are found in the soil. Smoking has not been shown to be a cause of mesothelioma. However, if a smoker has also been exposed to asbestos, this significantly increases his or her risk of developing other types of lung cancer.
It has a long development time:
It has a long latency period, which means that symptoms don’t develop for 20-50 years after environmental exposure. The average age at which symptoms usually start to appear is around 60 years old.
It occurs more in men than in women:
Mesothelioma affects men about three times more often than women in the US. Occurrence rises gradually with age. In other parts of the world, where exposure comes primarily from other environmental sources, such as in Turkey, mesothelioma occurs about equally in men and women.
It is a rare disease:
An estimated 3,000 to 4,000 cases of mesothelioma are diagnosed each year in the US. In other countries, the number of cases varies. Overall, the number of cases reported each year seems to be increasing.
Mesothelioma Cure:
Doctors and researchers are searching and working hard to find solutions pertaining to a cure for Mesothelioma but have not discovered any yet.
Reference:Joyce Richards
Saturday, 14 November 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 diseases 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.
Bello Kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com
Friday, 13 November 2009
the show must go on .... Cycle 6, days 3-4
No let up on the chemo side effects yesterday: nausea, sickness and extreme fatigue were the order of the day. Between naps, brave Steve managed to stagger round the supermarket with me to do the weekly food shop… but it was hard going.
So it was a pleasant surprise at hospital this morning to find that all his obs were fine. He continues to put on a little weight and the white blood cell count was a long way above the threshold for treatment, after being borderline on Tuesday.
The doctor prescribed some stronger drugs to counteract the nausea and sickness and Steve was given a dose intravenously there and then to give him a boost. Although the blood test results had come back more quickly than normal, there was some sort of mix up taking the Velcade off “hold”. So we were still sitting on the ward waiting for treatment a couple of hours after being given the all clear to start. By the time the chemo arrived, Steve’s vein had got fed up waiting and closed itself off, so another cannula had to be inserted in a different vein. How many holes can an arm take? More than you would think possible, believe me! He now has a rather fetching pattern of bruises where other people have tattoos.
Strange to think that next week will be the last of the scheduled visits to hospital for chemo - it’s been going on so long, we’ve become institutionalized. He will be back again after treatment finishes for a CT scan/X-ray to see what Leo has been up to over the last six weeks, and to see the chest doctor. But only two more doses of Velcade then no more poisons in this round of treatment.
We are keeping our fingers crossed that the new drugs will make life a little easier in the coming days. The only downsides are that they will make Steve drowsy and he must avoid alcohol, so it looks like I shall be hitting the bottle on my own over the weekend if I feel like drinking. But it will be worth it, just to see him perk up after the last few difficult days.
Thursday, 12 November 2009
Mesothelioma. How do doctors diagnose Asbestos Cancer? Part 1
As the consequence of asbestos exposure you may get asbestosis, but you may also start do develop mesothelioma - relativity rare but deadly type o cancer.
So, how do doctors diagnose the mesothelioma?
When you see your doctor, the first think he does to suspect the mesothelioma is asking about your occupational history. The paramount importance is to catch the asbestos cancer in the early stages of the disease, so time is of the essence. The survival rate is eight to twelve months on average. However, catching and treating the mesothelioma early at some cancer centers gives better results.
Doctors look for signs and symptoms of the cancer. The mesothelioma symptoms often delay up to 20 and more years after asbestos exposure. Yet, in rats intra-pleural introduction of asbestos chrysotile fibers may cause mesothelioma in several months.
People with mesothelioma complain on breath shortness, persistent cough, sputum, and chest pain. The pain comes from pleura - the lungs lining that is very sensitive to irritation. Mesothelioma tends to cause fluid accumulation in the pleural cavity.
Peritoneal mesothelioma causes weight loss, pain and ascites (belly swelling due to fluid in the abdominal cavity). Peritoneal mesothelioma also may block bowels and cause all kinds of troubles with gut obstruction. As many cancers, asbestos cancer also changes blood clotting, causes blood cells decrease (anemia), night sweats, and fevers. Ascites may lead to nausea and feet swelling. Spreading of the cancer will bring pain, difficult swallowing, and neck swelling. This symptom happens because of compression of some great veins going to the heart in your chest. In general mesothelioma symptoms are not very specific. They may characterize any other type of cancer as well as many other non-cancerous diseases. This problem delays diagnosis. Sometimes patients think that they have viral pneumonia. Some patients don’t have any symptoms at all. Mesothelioma in advanced stage, as well as majority of cancers, will cause fatigue.
An x-ray may show a fluid accumulation.
What is a pleural effusion? Pleural effusion means the accumulation of fluid between the pleura on inside chest wall and diaphragm and pleura covering lungs. What is pleura? Pleura is the thin layer of special cells covering the lung and inside of the chest wall. It has an idea of closed plastic bag with some small amount of fluid inside. Basically, this bag helps lungs to slide easily against chest wall during expansion from breathing. The membranes of pleura consist from mesothelial cells. Exactly these cells produce a small amount of the lubricant. The amount of fluid is always in balance. Extra pleural fluid is quickly reabsorbed. When there is too much fluid, it is the effusion. Abdominal cavity has similar lining named peritoneum, which covers abdominal organs the way pleura covers the lungs. Mesothelioma leads to fluid build up, which is caused by cancer cells irritating the pleura or peritoneum. This fluid leads to sickness in your abdomen or difficulty breathing.
Transudation is a pleural effusion with clear fluid. It usually results from imbalance of fluid production and removal. It is more characteristic for some other disease. Doctors would think first about congestive heart failure. Mesothelioma would rather cause an exudate. Exudates are a cloudy pleural effusion with many cells and proteins. Exudates happen after the pleura is irritated and inflamed, as it happen in mesothelioma. To check the type of effusion, doctors would stick a needle and get the fluid sample. This stick is called diagnostic thoracentesis. The fluid will be checked in the lab. If mesothelioma is the cause, cancer cells may be found in the fluid
Why shortness of breath develops? The dyspnea (breath shortness) happens exactly because too much fluid is accumulated and press on the lung, pushing it away form the chest wall inside and thus making the lung smaller. Also the pain from inflamed pleura prevents patient from deep breathing. The receptors in inflamed pleura also cause dry cough. Listening to the lungs with a stethoscope reveals decreased breath sounds. Tapping on the chest sounds dull. This all is the consequence of fluid accumulation.
During your doctor’s visit, you should discuss your concerns about asbestos exposure in the past. Your doctor should check the area of pain and swelling; he also should listen to your breath sounds and check for fluid collection. If your doctors suspect the effusion he may send you for tests and X-rays or refer to a specialist.
If a doctor suspects mesothelioma, he dose not have many specific tests on hands. Many of the usual tests may show no results in mesothelioma. Simple chest x-ray does not always show small pleural effusion. A lateral decubitus film may be required for smaller effusions (the same x-ray but the side view). Otherwise CT scan or ultrasound may show the effusion.
Reference:Aleksandr Kavokin
Wednesday, 11 November 2009
Start Beating Mesothelioma Cancer Today Through Awareness and Understanding
People who have mined asbestos, manufactured asbestos products, installed asbestos insulation, or removed asbestos may be at risk for developing mesothelioma. In addition, family members of those who have worked with asbestos, people who have lived near asbestos mines or processing plants, or anyone who has inhaled asbestos fibers may also be at risk for developing mesothelioma.
There are a range of tests and procedures used to diagnose mesothelioma. X-rays, CT scans, and/or MRI scans are performed to determine the presence of mesothelioma. If there is a positive indication of mesothelioma, or if further testing is still needed to determine the presence of mesothelioma, the scans are followed-up with a needle biopsy or an open biopsy.
Treatment options for mesothelioma vary according to age, overall health, location of the disease, and extent of the disease. Surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, alone or in combination, are standard treatment options for mesothelioma. Experimental treatments, such as those used in clinical trials, may also be an option.
Mesothelioma is a form of cancer that could have been prevented and is not the fault of the victim, but the fault of the companies that did not protect workers or others against the hazards of asbestos. Financial security for victims and their families, including compensation of medical expenses, pain and suffering, burial expenses, and after-death stability for families afflicted, may, therefore, be accessible through the law.
There are many different types of support groups, as well, available to mesothelioma patients and their families including formal groups that focus on learning about mesothelioma or dealing with feelings, informal groups, social groups, groups only for those with mesothelioma, and groups for those with mesothelioma including family members and friends. Hospitals, doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers have, or can obtain, a listing of such groups within your local area.
Reference:
Rae Rand
Here we go again... Cycle 6, Day 2
Day 2 of the last cycle of chemo and the side effects are back with a vengeance. Steve took two anti-nausea pills with a cup of coffee in bed first thing. Within minutes they had come back up again, along with the coffee, into the emergency bedside bucket.
On the positive side, this episode didn’t spoil his appetite and he was soon up, eating breakfast and taking the steroid anti-sickness tablets which he also needs for the first few days of the cycle. And they stayed down.
By mid-morning however, Steve felt so tired that he took himself back to bed and stayed there, asleep for most of the time, until I woke him up for a bite to eat with his 2 o'clock steroid tablet.
A bit more protein seems to have done the trick, and he is now up again, surfing the net and moderating the RPS forum. It remains to be seen how late he can stay awake this evening…..
Will this be the daily pattern for the few weeks or so, I wonder?
Tuesday, 10 November 2009
The shortest longest day... Cycle 6, Day 1
We were preparing ourselves for two things this morning: (1) getting to hospital then being sent home again looked like a possibility, given that the chemo side effects from cycle 5 lasted right through Steve’s “rest” week, and (2) a very long day on the ward, if Steve’s tests came back clear. We were wrong on both counts - he just managed to get over the first hurdle, and everything went like clockwork in terms of timing. In fact, we were home an hour and a half earlier than normal on a long chemo day, which was great.
That’s it. The last LONG chemo day of this treatment is over. No more Cisplatin for the time being. Just three more short chemo days for Velcade, followed by a CT scan and X-Ray to check progress, and an appointment at the chest clinic to make sure that the lung linings are still stuck together, and no fluid where it shouldn’t be. But I’m getting a bit ahead of myself…for now we must batten down the hatches and get through the next two weeks. Back to hospital again on Friday…..
Monday, 9 November 2009
Mesothelioma - What are the treatments?
The location, stage of the disease along with the paitent’s age and general health all play a role in determining the treatment of mesothelioma. Options for treatement generally include surgery, radiation therapy and chemo therapy.
Surgery is a common treatment for mesothelioma. The doctor may remove part of the lining of the chest or abdomen and some of the tissue around it. For cancer of the pleura (pleural mesothelioma), a lung may be removed in an operation called a pneumonectomy. Sometimes part of the diaphragm, the muscle below the lungs that helps with breathing, is also removed.
Radiation therapy, also called radiotherapy, involves the use of high-energy rays to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors. Radiation therapy affects the cancer cells only in the treated area. The radiation may come from a machine (external radiation) or from putting materials that produce radiation through thin plastic tubes into the area where the cancer cells are found
Chemotherapy is the use of anticancer drugs to kill cancer cells throughout the body. Most drugs used to treat mesothelioma are given by injection into a vein (intravenous or IV). Doctors are also studying the effectiveness of putting chemotherapy directly into the chest or abdomen (intracavitary chemotherapy).
To relieve symptoms and control pain, the doctor may use a needle or a thin tube to drain fluid that has built up in the chest or abdomen. The procedure for removing fluid from the chest is called thoracentesis. Removal of fluid from the abdomen is called paracentesis. Drugs may be given through a tube in the chest to prevent more fluid from accumulating. Radiation therapy and surgery may also be helpful in relieving symptoms.
Reference:www.mesothelioma-resource-network.com
One week on.........Cycle 5, day 21
Steve and I enjoyed the Private View of the Radley College Christmas Cracker event on Friday night, our mood enhanced no doubt by the sale of two pictures by the time we left. My girlfriends arrived in Oxford on Saturday lunchtime, bringing with them blue skies and bright sun for the start of our get-together.
It’s fun being a tourist in your own city, for a change. Over the last couple of days we have walked ourselves silly taking the long, interesting ways around the back streets and waterways to arrive at our chosen destinations. We’ve been sight-seeing around the University area, the Thames, the Canal and the Botanic Gardens; toured the re-vamped Ashmolean Museum (excellent), visited Modern Art Oxford, enjoyed a bit of retail therapy, and watched the big firework display and bonfire in South Parks on Saturday night. As usual, Oxford was buzzing with locals, students and visitors; we passed a crew filming the latest episode of Lewis at the Divinity Schools yesterday and sat next to Melvin Bragg and his sound man today at lunch today….
Sunday, 8 November 2009
A Mesothelioma Diagnosis Sometimes Involves Mesothelioma Lawyers
Mesothelioma is a disease that is caused by exposure to asbestos. There is no other known cause of this disease.
Asbestos is a material that is very strong and heat resistant. This makes it is ideal for the use of manufacturing products and structures of all kinds. It is also a material that breaks down into a very fine dust. This dust is made up of tiny barbed like fibers that become airborne. When these fibers are inhaled they stick in the lungs and this can cause asbestosis, mesothelioma and a number of other illnesses. Most cases involve people that have had frequent exposure to asbestos at their workplace.
Currently there are over 400 items that we use in our everyday society that contain asbestos. The shipping industry uses asbestos to insulate boilers and smoke stacks. The automotive industry uses it to manufacture many different parts for their cars. The construction industry uses asbestos for insulation, concrete reinforcement and for electrical wiring to name only a few of the many different uses.
There have been laws passed in the United States in the last few decades that prohibit or restrict the use of asbestos materials, but there is still a lot of this material being used today. Many companies have ignored the laws that have been passed and continue to illegally use these materials or facilities constructed with these materials.
There is also the legal side of a mesothelioma diagnosis. Many cases of this disease have been caused by neglect or illegal behavior on the part of the patient’s employer or former employer. Complying with Federal laws regarding asbestos can cut into a company’s profits. For example, instead of replacing old asbestos materials at the workplace they choose to ignore the laws and hope they do not get contacted by any mesothelioma lawyers many years later. Mesothelioma can take several decades to develop in a person’s body so these companies often get away with their crimes. Many patients never make the link to their asbestos exposure at their workplace because many times they have not worked at the place of exposure in many years.
There has been a lot of attention given to mesothelioma cancer in recent years. This is due to the fact that more and more people are receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis from their doctors. A mesothelioma diagnosis is bad news but it is important to know that there are legal courses of action available to anyone who has had a crime committed against them by an employer. Thanks to modern medical and scientific technology many people with a mesothelioma diagnosis have been able to trace their asbestos exposure back to their places of employment. Many of these patients have hired mesothelioma lawyers to sue their former employers. A lot of people have been awarded big settlements.
There is no shortage of mesothelioma lawyers on the internet that will fight for your cause. Just make sure you do research on them before you hire them. Just go to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) online and enter the names of the mesothelioma lawyers or law firms in the search box and you will get a history of complaints on them (if there are any). You should also do a Google search on them as well. Just go to Google.com, enter their names and you will get any information that has ever been posted on the internet about your prospective mesothelioma lawyers.
Reference:Michael P. Connelly
Saturday, 7 November 2009
Mesothelioma Trials-What Are the Different 4 Stages Of The Trial?
A mesothelioma patient is not compulsorily required to attend the trial of his/her mesothelioma lawsuit because most times by the time the lawsuit commences the patient will be too weak to attend, but if the patient decides to attend then he/she must be prepared to go through the different stages pf a trial. Each trial is different but there is usually an order of events in all civil cases and they will all pass through the following stages:
1-First, the judge (and possible a jury) will hear opening statements. Your lawyer will start by outlining your case. In response, the defendant’s lawyers will outline how they hope to disprove your case. Opening statements are not evidence, but a brief outline of what each position hopes to prove during trial.
2-After opening statements, both parties will submit evidence for the judge and possible jury to review. This will include factual findings and testimony. Evidence such as old receipts, air quality tests, and medical records may come into play. Personal friends, family members, coworkers, doctors, and related experts may also be called to testify. If you are going to testify, upon being sworn in, your lawyer and the defendant’s lawyer will proceed to question you about the case. Before this portion of the case, your lawyer will have reviewed with you not only the questions he or she will ask, but also the questions the defendant’s lawyer is likely to ask of you. It is very important to assert your side of the case while answering all questions honestly. Witnesses will go through the same testimony process as well. Physical evidence, such as medical records or work history, will be submitted as evidence to the court.
3-Presentation of the evidence is followed by closing arguments. This element of trial is extremely important, especially in the case of a jury trial. The plaintiff will give closing arguments first. This speech will sum up the facts, discredit the defendant, and ask the jury to empathize and rule in your favor. The defense will then present a closing argument as well, in which they will attempt to refute your claims.
4-If the trial involves a jury, all 12 members of the jury will retire to a conference room to deliberate after closing statements. Deliberation by the jury can take just an hour or two, or it can take several days. In high profile cases, the jury may be sequestered and sent to a hotel instead of home. However, in most civil cases, the jury is not sequestered. When the jury reaches a verdict, all are called back to court and the foreman of the jury (elected by the other jurors) announces the decision.
Sometimes upon the completion of this initial trial the defendants can appeal the verdict if it does not favor them, the period of time for this appeal varies sometimes it lasts up to a month and some other times it takes longer. If the defendant wins the appeal, you may also be able to also challenge this decision if factual errors are found or procedures were not carried out correctly. This depends on the court and on the details of the appeal case.
Keep in mind that at any point during the trial, you and the defendant can decide to reach a settlement out of court if the defendant is willing to pay a reasonable amount of money. Usually if the defendant’s lawyer sees that you have a very strong case at some stage of the trial they will approach you for a possible out of court settlement. Once this is agreed upon the complaint by the plaintiff is withdrawn and the trial is stopped.
Mesothelioma victims should seek to know as much as they can about mesothelioma trials and lawsuits so that they do not get easily discouraged along the way.
Bello Kamorudeen. http://www.mesotheliomacorner.blogspot.com
