Archive for category Mesothelioma
Department of Defense Funds Mesothelioma Research
Posted by Jon@SokoloveLaw in Mesothelioma, Veterans on February 19, 2010
Beginning in 2008, the US Department of Defense (DoD) has distributed millions of dollars in research award grants to Mesothelioma research projects around the country. This is the first time ever that the DoD has given any funding and attention to the asbestos-related cancer known as Mesothelioma. In the past, the DoD and the US military have either ignored or downplayed their involvement as a cause of asbestos exposure to scores of men and women who not only worked for the military, but served in it as well.
Asbestos exposure in the US military began in the early days of World War II, and continued well into the 1970s. For over 40 years, military contractors and construction firms were using asbestos-containing materials and products to build war ships. Not only ships, but mechanical components of aircraft, tanks, and vehicles contained the hazardous material. Nearly all members of the US armed forces from 1940 to the mid-1970s were at risk of asbestos exposure, and therefore in danger of developing the rare form of cancer called Mesothelioma.
Thankfully, by the late 1970s the harmful effects of asbestos were brought to light, and the US government, with the help of the Environmental Protection Agency, began to crack down on asbestos corporations, and remove the material from its contracts. But, the damage was done! Generations of veterans and defense firm workers had been affected by the harmful materials, and due to the exceptional long latency period of the disease (30-40 years) have begun to show symptoms and suffer as a result of the disease since the late 1960s.
Since the public realization of asbestos exposure leading to mesothelioma in the 1960s, the DoD has been slow, even stagnant, to lend their support to these veterans. Even today, the Veterans Affairs Administration does not recognize mesothelioma and asbestos exposure as a “service related/connected injury.” For decades, veterans and workers who contracted Mesothelioma as a result of work in the military or for corporations had to seek damages and compensation from the asbestos companies themselves. However, this recent shift in DoD focus on Mesothelioma might be the hope that so many are looking for.
Since the research awards have been distributed, nearly $50 million dollars have been given to three specific medical researchers to combat and identify the mesothelioma disease. Harvey Pass, M.D, and Margaret E. Huflejt, PhD., will explore new markers for the detection of mesothelioma at earlier stages and will identify new therapeutic targets. Lee Krug, M.D., is slated to lead a multi-site clinical trial of a new vaccine-based therapy that is believed to hold tremendous promise. With this sudden interest and funding support of mesothelioma research, it appears that the DoD and the US military have begun to focus on providing care and hope for the veterans who served this country faithfully for generations.
Our Asbestos Case Manager’s Experience at Miles for Meso
Posted by Mellissa@SokoloveLaw in Mesothelioma on February 17, 2010
Alyssa Rubin is one of our Asbestos Case Managers and has been working with mesothelioma victims and their loved ones for over a year. She writes about her experience at the Miles for Meso event below.
“This past weekend I travelled to Boca Raton, FL with a few of my co-workers to attend the Miles for Meso 5K Run/Walk. The purpose of the race was to raise awareness and money to support research for mesothelioma. It was a great experience, as I spend most of my time speaking on the phone with those that have been affected by mesothelioma and other asbestos-related conditions. I felt it was very important for me to go out there and show my support.
It was rather chilly the morning of the race, especially for Florida, but nevertheless many people came out to participate. It was great to see a variety of age groups both running/walking in the race as well as volunteering. I myself did not run/walk in the race, but handed water out to those crossing the finish line, and also cheered on my co-workers that did take part. We all handed out the bags of goodies that we had brought filled with information about mesothelioma and the efforts to ban asbestos in the US. I also very much enjoyed interacting with the community of people that attended, and providing information to those that wanted to know more.
I would say the best part of the entire trip was getting to meet Mr. Larry Davis. He organized the event and is a survivor of peritoneal mesothelioma. Mr. Davis has experienced this cancer first hand, fought it hard, and with his selfless efforts not only put together the race, but participated in it. He is an inspiration to all.
I had a great time this weekend and I hope that our efforts with the Miles for Meso 5K and any future events that we may participate in will pay off in our fight to raise awareness and ban asbestos.
Nutrition Support for Mesothelioma Patients
Posted by Suzanne@SokoloveLaw in Mesothelioma, Nutrition on January 28, 2010
Getting a mesothelioma diagnosis is very scary. This disease can be managed, but it may not be curable in some cases. This means that the diagnosis brings a huge number of questions and concerns, including how to handle food and nutrition issues.
Many people with mesothelioma will continue to eat and enjoy their favorite foods. This is a time when food should be viewed as something joyful to be shared and to nourish the body and the spirit. Focusing on healthy, nourishing foods is important, but enjoying favorite foods, even if they aren’t considered “nutritious”, is important too.
Food Can Be Stressful
I don’t know too many people who see food strictly as fuel. We use food to celebrate, to mourn, when we are bored, to socialize, to express love, and more. Food represents so many things in our culture. When food no longer is wanted or enjoyed, everyone struggles to cope with the changes.
For anyone with a disease that is considered incurable, such as mesothelioma, there will come a time when food simply isn’t appealing. This is normal and it is to be expected, but it can be very distressing for everyone.
The person with mesothelioma may feel like they aren’t “trying hard enough” to eat. Friends and family members will worry that a person is suffering from not eating enough. This is a time when questions about nutrition support often arise.
What is Nutrition Support?
As a natural part of the process of “winding down”, the body needs fewer calories and less fluid to be satisfied. Sometimes this process occurs “in time” with the disease process: people naturally eat and drink less as they get closer to death.
At other times, however, a person may lose the ability or desire to eat long before their disease becomes advanced. In these cases, nutrition support can be an important part of medical care.
Nutrition support comes in several forms:
- Liquid supplements that are high in calories and protein. These can be consumed in addition to food that is being eaten or replace food that is not being eaten.
- Liquid supplements that are delivered into the body through tube feeding, placed directly into the stomach or into the upper portion of the intestinal tract.
- Parenteral nutrition, in which nutrition is given intravenously, into a vein in the arm or chest.
The When and Why of Nutrition Support
When a mesothelioma patient loses the desire or ability to eat, yet still has a lot of life left, nutrition support can improve quality of life. Nutrition support can give a mesothelioma patient the energy to do what is most important. This might include spending time with family and friends, playing with grand kids, and attending weddings, graduations, and other meaningful events.
Drinkable Liquid Supplements
Liquid supplements that you drink have the advantage of being relatively inexpensive. You don’t need a prescription to get them and you can buy them at most pharmacies or grocery stores. You can order them online too. They come in a variety of flavors.
The major disadvantage of this type of supplement is that if you aren’t able to eat enough food to maintain your energy and strength, you may not be able to drink enough supplements either.
Tube Feeding
Tube feeding has the advantage of being “almost like eating”. If the tube is in your stomach, you can “take in” the liquid nutrition that you need in the same way that you would eat. You can have “3 meals and 2 snacks” per day using your feeding tube. This frees you to do other things you enjoy.
Another advantage is that tube feeding uses your normal digestive processes. This may not seem important for your health, but it is. The GI tract regulates a large portion of the body’s immune system. When the GI tract is no longer used, this can create problems with immunity. Not using the GI tract can increase risk of infections and contribute to feeling weak and fatigued as well.
Sometimes, a feeding tube is placed into your intestinal tract instead of your stomach. If this is the case, you cannot put large volumes of nutritional formula into the tube at one time. You will have a special pump to get nutrition into the tube slowly. This can take more time, which is a disadvantage. Many people are able to complete most of their tube feeding at night, while they are sleeping, which can alleviate this problem.
The type of tube can be a disadvantage as well. If you have a nasogastric, or NG, tube, this means a short end of the tube will hang out of your nose at all times. This can seriously decrease quality of life for many people.
A better option is to have a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, or PEG, tube. This means you will have a short bit of tube directly into your stomach. This is clamped off when not in use. This is not visible under your clothes, which is why a PEG tube is preferred over an NG tube.
Parenteral Nutrition
The advantage of parenteral nutrition is that it can provide nutrition to someone who no longer has a functioning GI tract. If a person has a blockage in their stomach or intestine due to a tumor, for example, parenteral nutrition can provide needed nutrition.
Parenteral nutrition has many disadvantages, however. It is only used as a last resort in most cases. Parenteral nutrition requires a prescription. It is very expensive and may not be covered by insurance.
Parenteral nutrition can be tough to manage for someone who is not comfortable with medical procedures. The risk of serious infection can be high with parenteral nutrition. These infections can be life threatening.
Putting It All Together
In the end, whether you use nutrition support is completely up to you. Your dietitian or doctor may recommend nutrition support. You will make the final decision as to whether you would like to follow through on the recommendation.
Be sure you get all of the information you need. A dietitian can answer your questions. You may be given videos to watch or handouts to read that will help you understand the process as well. This will help you feel ready to use nutrition support, if that is what you decide.
With a little bit of education and coaching, anyone can learn how to use tube feeding or parenteral nutrition. There is no reason for fear to prevent you from getting the nutrition you need.
Once you understand all of your options, you can make the best decision for you!
Looking back on my work with mesothelioma victims
Posted by Mellissa@SokoloveLaw in Mesothelioma on December 31, 2009
Today is a day many of us are looking forward to ringing in the new year. We are looking forward to the opportunities the future holds for us and setting goals for the upcoming year. We may be wondering what battles we will need to overcome, what successes we will celebrate and what adventures we will have along the way. I am thinking about how I will continue to serve my clients and their loved ones in a thoughtful and meaningful way. I am considering how to continue to spread awareness about the dangers of asbestos and how I can get more involved to advocate for a global asbestos ban.
I am also looking back at 2009 to see the accomplishments and challenges of the past year. I am remembering the work I have done with mesothelioma victims and their loved ones. I am remembering those battling this devastating disease and those who have lost their battles. I am thinking about ways to honor the people who have changed my life just by hearing their stories and watching their strength in light of this diagnosis.
You are all in my thoughts and prayers today. I wish you a happy and safe transition into the New Year!
Football Field Named After a Mesothelioma Victim
Posted by Mellissa@SokoloveLaw in Mesothelioma on December 21, 2009
Last week, Utah State honored its alumni, Merlin Olsen, by renaming their stadium Merlin Olsen Field. Olsen along with his family and friends were present to receive this honor. Another dedication ceremony will take place next Fall during football season (it will be the 50th anniversay of USU’s 1960 Sun Bowl team which Olsen was part of).
Olsen was a legend at USU and later played for the Los Angeles Rams. His list of accomplishments is lengthy both on and off the field. He retired from professional football in 1976 and became a member of the Football Hall of Fame in 1982. He went on to work as a broadcaster and actor in television.
Merlin is suffering from mesothelioma, a rare cancer almost always caused by exposure to asbestos. He is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment, but was able to attend the ceremony.
Read more at USU naming football field after Merlin Olsen
-
Follow Us
-
MesoRC on Twitter
