One of the leading physicians in treating patients with mesothelioma always includes in his first interactions with patients a simple important question to his patients. “What do you want to do?’ It is a non-judgmental question acknowledging the patient has his own thoughts, feelings, and that most importantly the patient oversees what if any treatment choices he makes. This might seem like something that is assumed, a patient seeks out an expert in the field of mesothelioma, he may have traveled a great distance, has a support system that is urging him to do everything he can to stay alive, but he is not sure that the treatment plan is something he wants to go through.

The other day at a conference with two patients and their families that have been recently diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma, two questions came to mind. What do you want to do? What is important to you? Two patients, two spouses, supportive adult children, a roomful of people, including social workers, medical experts, chaplaincy, all talked except the two patients. At the conference, it is a lot of information to absorb, a lot of statistics and different possible scenarios that could happen to the patient. Well-intentioned family members asked lots of questions. All of them were trying their best to find a path for their loved one’s journey with mesothelioma. The two patients sat silent no questions, no visible reactions.

These two patients and their families were just starting on their journey with mesothelioma. The treatment options that are recommended to them are specific to them. Hopefully both will have a long journey with mesothelioma, with a great quality of life during the remainder of their lives. If things do not go well, their families and the team taking care of them will know that the patient was asked two important questions before proceeding with their treatments. “What do you want to do?” “What is important to you?”

The bottom line is that this journey is yours, the patient with mesothelioma. You must make the decisions on how you want, and how you choose, to live your life.

– Ellie