I understand that facing a mesothelioma diagnosis can be a devastating experience. Creating meaningful lifestyle changes can make a real difference in both the quality and length of life after diagnosis.
Mesothelioma and its treatment can lead to stress, lack of appetite, and quick weight loss, which can have devastating effects. Maintaining a healthy body weight can help reduce your risk of infection, improve the pace of recovery, increase energy and stamina, improve mood, and reduce the risk of treatment side effects.
Nutrition for Mesothelioma Treatment
Fruits and vegetables. Fresh, brightly colored fruits and vegetables are crucial in a healthy diet. They contain fiber, which removes waste products from your system. They also contain antioxidants, which can actually fight cancer-causing free-radicals.
Water. Without enough water, you can quickly become dehydrated, which can lead to serious complications on top of the mesothelioma. Try to keep a water bottle or pitcher nearby and get about eight glasses a day.
Fat. Contrary to some fad diets, your body needs fat to be healthy. Try to stick to “good” plant-based fats such as avocado, olive oil, fish, and nuts.
Protein. Protein strengthens your immune system and can actually rebuild tissues damaged by cancer. Get plenty of protein from lean meats like chicken and fish, and also in beans, nuts, and dairy foods.
Carbohydrates. Carbs provide a crucial source of energy during treatment. Avoid nutritionally-void white flour products and choose whole-grain carbohydrates such as whole-wheat bread, pasta, oats, and brown rice.
Exercise
While the idea of exercise after a mesothelioma diagnosis may seem farfetched, there are effective exercises that patients can do, even if they are confined to bed. As we all know, exercise is one of the contributors to a healthy body, and it may improve your healing rate.
Improve Your Circulation
Poor circulation can lead to blood clots and a host of other issues. Sit on the side of your bed or in a chair and tap your feet against the floor. Doing this a number of times throughout the day will get the blood flowing in your legs and feet.
Yoga Don’t dismiss too quickly the idea of practicing yoga after diagnosis. This ancient form of movement is actually breath-based, which means that if you can breathe, you can practice yoga. Yoga is renowned for its stress-reducing and body-strengthening benefits.
Strengthening Maintaining your physical strength can help with your balance and prevent falls. Gentle lifting of very light (2Ibs and under) weights can help keep your muscle tone during treatment and through recovery. If this seems too much, start by stretching your arms to shoulder height and holding for a few seconds, gradually increasing the hold time.
Maintaining a Positive Attitude
The prominent evolutionary biologist and paleontologist Stephen Jay Gould credited his remarkable survival after a mesothelioma diagnosis (20 years) on a positive mental attitude. In his famous essay,” The Median Isn’t the Message,” Dr. Gould wrote:
“Attitude clearly matters in fighting cancer. We don’t know why (from my old-style materialistic perspective, I suspect that mental states feed back upon the immune system). But match people with the same cancer for age, class, health, socioeconomic status, and, in general, those with positive attitudes, with a strong will and purpose for living, with commitment to struggle, with an active response to aiding their own treatment and not just a passive acceptance of anything doctors say, tend to live longer.”
While it may be difficult to look on the sunny side while going through treatment, it can help boost your health and make precious time spent with your family more enjoyable.
Consult Your Physician
No change in diet or exercise should be made without first consulting your physician to help you develop a safe and appropriate regimen.
Affording Mesothelioma Treatment
Mesothelioma treatments can take a toll physically, emotionally, and financially. Medical bills can add up quickly. You may be eligible to access compensation set aside for mesothelioma patients.
Please don’t wait to get help. You can call me at (855) 274-1117 right now for a free, confidential, no-obligation case evaluation.