| Mesothelioma is a life-threatening asbestos disease | | | | the time when treatment options will be presented |
| that is often fatal. Its lethality comes, in part, from | | | | to the patient and discussed. |
| the difficulty of detecting it. This results in many late | | | | Next comes the chronic phase of terminal illness, the |
| diagnoses wherein the disease is too advanced by | | | | time between the diagnosis reached in the first phase |
| the time it is detected for doctors to do anything to | | | | and the end result of treatments. Daily life returns to |
| cure it. In addition, mesothelioma is considered an | | | | normal at this point, or as close to normal as the |
| aggressive and incurable type of tumor. Mesothelioma | | | | patient's illness allows. At the chronic phase, patients |
| can therefore be termed "terminal," meaning life | | | | juggle their daily responsibilities and obligations with |
| threatening. Terminal diseases like asbestos | | | | the new reality of their disease and treatments. They |
| mesothelioma have five phases. | | | | must simultaneously cope with any side effects |
| The first phase of any terminal disease, including | | | | arising from their treatment. This phase can last |
| mesothelioma, occurs before a diagnosis is even | | | | anywhere from a few months to a several years. |
| made. This is the phase in which someone suspects | | | | Today, with medicine and treatment advancing, many |
| something is wrong, but is not yet sure what. They | | | | of those with terminal illnesses like mesothelioma can |
| may be visiting several doctors at this point and | | | | remain in chronic phase for years. |
| undergoing multiple tests to try to determine what | | | | The last two phases represent the decline of the |
| their condition is. They recognize the symptoms they | | | | patient's health due to the disease. The first of these |
| are experiencing, but do not yet realize that it is | | | | last phases is called the recovery phase, though it |
| mesothelioma. | | | | may not necessarily mean remission of the disease. |
| This first phase does not occur all at once. It can | | | | In many cases, recovery simply means that the |
| take a long time to go from experiencing symptoms | | | | patient has come to terms with their illness and is |
| to reaching a diagnosis. The first phase of a terminal | | | | equipped to deal with all the consequences of their |
| disease is therefore thought of as a period of time in | | | | disease, from mental and social effects, to physical |
| which a person realizes they might have some sort | | | | and financial concerns. |
| of illness. It includes the period of time in which a | | | | Lastly is the terminal phase. It is the final phase of |
| person is undergoing examinations and tests to | | | | any life-threatening illness and the point at which |
| determine what their symptoms means. This phase | | | | doctors and patients focus on prolonging life rather |
| ends when the patient is diagnosed with a terminal | | | | than curing the disease. Death is likely at this stage, |
| disease. | | | | so treatment centers on relieving pain and discomfort |
| The next phase is called the acute phase. It is the | | | | rather than eliminating the cancer. Patients may have |
| time period in which the patient is coming to terms | | | | concerns beyond their physical needs at this point, |
| with their diagnosis. It may not be easy, but they are | | | | including religious concerns and worries for their family |
| forced at this point to understand their situation and | | | | and loved ones. |
| what it means for them and their loved ones. This is | | | | |