| Learning of a mesothelioma diagnosis can be | | | | mesothelioma support group, you may have to |
| devastating for both mesothelioma patients and | | | | go to a few different meetings in order to find a |
| their loved ones. Dealing with the physical, | | | | group that you are comfortable with. |
| emotional, and financial issues resulting from this | | | | There are several options for finding a |
| condition is often extremely taxing and can leave | | | | mesothelioma support group in your area. First, |
| mesothelioma patients feeling anxious and | | | | you can ask your mesothelioma doctor if he or |
| overwhelmed. In order to help individuals with | | | | she has any suggestions about local groups you |
| mesothelioma cancer cope with challenges | | | | can join. Second, try consulting with the nurses or |
| associated with their disease, mesothelioma | | | | social workers at your mesothelioma treatment |
| support groups have been established throughout | | | | center to see if they can provide you with |
| the country. The purpose of these organizations is | | | | information about local mesothelioma support |
| to provide an opportunity for members to share | | | | programs. Third, check with your mesothelioma |
| their experiences, learn from one another, and | | | | hospital's social services department and find out if |
| gain comfort from knowing that they are not | | | | they can give you a list of cancer support |
| alone in their struggle with mesothelioma. | | | | programs in the area. Finally, some individuals with |
| Mesothelioma cancer support groups can vary in | | | | mesothelioma find ways to connect with other |
| the way that they are run and the types of | | | | mesothelioma patients by using the Internet. |
| things that they focus on, so it is important to | | | | Joining an online cancer support group or posting |
| find a group that meets your needs and matches | | | | on a mesothelioma message board can help |
| your personality. For example, some groups are | | | | mesothelioma patients connect with other people |
| run by a health care professional, such as a | | | | affected by this disease. |
| psychologist or social worker. Other groups, | | | | Dealing with a mesothelioma diagnosis is never |
| known as peer groups or self-help groups, are led | | | | easy, but there are sources of support available |
| by group members who have no special medical | | | | for mesothelioma patients. Joining a mesothelioma |
| training. Some mesothelioma support organizations | | | | support group may not be for everyone, but for |
| are more structured and focused on practical | | | | many patients, these organizations provide |
| matters related to the disease, such as how to | | | | invaluable comfort and assurance during this |
| manage the negative side effects of | | | | difficult period. In addition to support groups, |
| mesothelioma treatments. Other groups choose | | | | family members, friends, and religious leaders are |
| to emphasize emotional support and the sharing | | | | often an important source of support for |
| of personal experiences. If you are a | | | | mesothelioma patients. |
| mesothelioma patient who is interested in joining a | | | | |