Recovering From Mesothelioma Treatment

Recovery Scenarios:

Recovery will begin after the very first procedure but may be staggered over several cycles since multimodality treatment for mesothelioma is now becoming the standard.

Since diagnostic procedures for mesothelioma tend to be highly invasive, it may also be necessary to undergo a period of recovery from operations like a thoracoscopy or laparoscopy. These procedures involve substantial surgery and a thoracoscopy may also involve palliative interventions like pleurodesis to reduce fluid production in the chest, Some protocols involve the administration of chemotherapy before surgery and some after. Chemotherapy is usually debilitating to some degree and may include a number of serious side-effects that could require the patient to rest and recover before further treatments are resumed.

Often, blood chemistry tests will reveal a serious decline in white or red blood cells or both, requiring interventions such as a blood transfusion or injections to boost blood cell production. Reduced white cell counts can lead to a suppressed immune system and a vulnerability to infection that may hold up additional treatments until the body recovers sufficiently.

Surgery for Mesothelioma:

Recovery from surgery usually implies a short stay in the hospital to ensure that no infection has set in and that no internal bleeding or other complications have arisen. Depending upon the extent of the surgery, and the use of additional therapies like chest drains, a patient may be unable to shower or bathe until the incisions are sufficiently healed. Longer term use of the chest tube may invite infection or inflammation reactions at the incision site. These must be monitored for and treated quickly. 

Chemotherapy recovery

Radiation recovery

 

Getting to know NED (no evidence of disease)

Common after-effects and Remedies

Physical Issues:

Pain

Reduced blood counts

Loss of Appetite

Neurological issues

Bleeding and Clotting issues

Persistent Cough

Fatigue

Shortness of breath

Immune Suppression

Hair loss

Scarring/disfigurement

Social Psychological Issues:

For the Patient:

Loss of self-worth/Self-Image

Embarrassment

Feeling helpless

Feeling burdensome

Loss of status via Loss of job

Depression/Anxiety

Loss of Libido

Fear of recurrence

Anger

Recrimination

Unhappiness

For the Caregiver

Frustration

Work overload

More to follow with patient and family input.