Though these feelings can be confusing and, of course, upsetting, it's essential that they are dealt with as soon as possible. Though you may not feel like talking to anyone for the first several days after the diagnosis, it's important to address these emotions. All of them can grow and get out of hand. If possible, meso patients should be encouraged to speak with a professional about their reactions to their diagnosis (some medical insurance policies cover mental health visits) and the patient should not feel "weak" if intervention with medications is necessary, such as anti-depressants or anti-anxiety drugs.

Why me?

This is almost always the first question newly diagnosed mesothelioma victims ask themselves and others. To many, the diagnosis is akin to punishment and they can't understand why God or any other higher being is inflicting this pain on them. The patient may, at this time, begin to question their faith and stop attending religious services. If the victim is close to a clergyperson, this is a good time to set up a meeting between the two.

Anger

Anger often sets in when the patient realizes that life as they know it will change now that they have a terminal illness. The future becomes uncertain and all those things that you "planned" to do may not happen. Anger can be one of the most difficult emotions with which to deal because it's often directed at the wrong people, including family and friends. Those close to the patient need to understand that he/she really isn't angry at them but may be unable to express the anger in any other way.

Fear

Anyone diagnosed with a terminal illness will no doubt be afraid of what lies ahead. There will be much uncertainty in the future and patients will routinely fear symptoms of the disease including severe pain; treatments; the reactions of others; and - of course - the eventual outcome of a disease for which there is currently no cure. The best way to combat fear is with knowledge. Ask your doctor what to expect in the future. Just knowing what's ahead will help assuage some fears.

Disbelief or Denial

Some patients describe a feeling of disbelief or being "in a fog" after diagnosis. They can't believe the doctor is talking about them. Surely, he must be mistaken! Others insist that the doctor is wrong and they enter a state of denial about their disease. With either of these reactions, the meso victim may refuse to discuss the disease, because talking about it makes it a reality. Don't push them at first, but if the denial continues, it might be necessary to have a professional intervene.

Blame

Most people are quick to blame themselves for their disease, trying to discern what they did to cause it. Where mesothelioma is concerned, chances are that you did NOTHING to cause your disease. Though many will question why they "allowed" themselves to work with hazardous substances such as asbestos, most individuals who worked with asbestos in the past were totally unaware of the dangers associated with the mineral.

Depression

Who wouldn't be depressed after being diagnosed with a terminal illness such as mesothelioma? Depression, however, can fester and grow and can affect a patient's treatment success and result in a severely reduced quality of life. Depression can be treated successfully with medication if necessary, so a mesothelioma victim should not hesitate to ask for help in dealing with this debilitating emotional disorder.