Richard Moyle asked to post this blog here. His grandfather died of mesothelioma in 2000 so he has had personal experience with the illness.
Coping with Losing Someone to Mesothelioma
Losing a loved one is very difficult for anyone, especially if it is after a long battle with an illness. The person/people left behind may occasionally wonder, “Why them? Why did this have to happen to that person?” It’s even harder when there’s evidence that the the cancer or illness could have been averted.
This is the situation with a rare cancer known as mesothelioma. One of the only proven causes for developing this type of cancer is exposure to a naturally occurring mineral known as asbestos. Asbestos was widely used in a number of military and industrial applications throughout the 20th century because of its durability and resistance to fire. The most frequent uses were insulation, flooring, piping and brake lining.
The better part of diagnosed cases can be traced back to work-related asbestos exposure. Despite the fact that many of the creators of asbestos products were conscious of the health risks connected with the material, they continued to mass produce it to maximize their earnings. A large amount of people who were exposed were not alerted to the situation and were never shown the proper ways to avoid exposure.
Other contributing dynamics to the difficult process of mourning the loss of someone to mesothelioma are the abruptness of the start of noticeable symptoms, diagnosis and the normally poor prognosis. Symptoms of this type of cancer normally take 25 to 50 years after primary exposure to start showing. By this time the cancer is in its later stages and treatment choices are typically insufficient. The average life expectancy after diagnosis is about one year.
When you combine all of the factors and circumstances surrounding malignant mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases, it brings about quite a few different emotions for both the sufferer and the ones close to them. They may experience anger towards the people who permitted asbestos to be used so extensively with no warning of its undesirable health effects. They may feel frustration with the seemingly helpless situation or shock because of the unexpectedness or rapidity with which the disease takes its toll.
Persons left behind might deal with these emotions in a number of ways. For example, the anger and frustration people feel sometimes motivates them to take legal action against whoever was ultimately accountable for their loved one’s death. The grief or sorrow they feel may prompt them to do all they can to raise awareness about this disease to prevent further exposure and save the lives of others. Both of these actions could be seen by the bereaved as a way of “righting the wrong” so to speak.
In general, everyone deals with similar emotions when they lose a loved one, no matter what the situation. But diseases like mesothelioma that can be traced back to the withholding of information for the purpose of making money tend to underscore some of those emotions slightly more. Always keep in mind that anyone who lets these emotions encumber their daily lives may need aid in seeking help from a professional.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Treatment models
"Beware of Geeks bearing formulas," Warren Buffet advises. He was speaking of formulas accepted whole hog by bankers, financiers, and mutual fund operators to predict such arcaic outcomes as how high interest rates will rise, when the housing market will bottom out, how to carve up derivative instruments such as asset liability swaps to maximize profits (to the carver) and minimize risk. The problem is such fourmlas have flaws as witnessed by the present financial crisis.
It seems to me that psychotherapists do the same thing. Today most psychological healers claim to be a cognitive therapists. Years ago it was psychoanalysis, client centered therapy, humanistic approaches, Gestalt thereapy, and so on. All of these models, even in the best trained hands, may be helpful but they are not paneceas for emotional health. All have limitations, even those with solid empirical (evidence based) backing. They don't work for every condition or every client. They don't take into account less tangible and measureable factors such the relationship between therapist and client. They are not complete theories of personality (Psychoanalytic models come closest because of developmental concepts that are intrinsic to the model. However they can be used to explain anything by the those who speak the langauage fluently, and therefore have little predictive value.) My point is that these models provide tricks (OK tools) of the trade. They bring some order out of chaos and a comfort level to the therapist. But the most honest of us will admit that there is more going on when outcomes are positive or negative than merely the particular stratgey the therpist believes he is employing. Gabriel Byrne, the Irish actor/therapist, Paul, on HBOs In Treatment, who explains everything in a psychodynamic targeting parents as villains, said it best to his own therapist, Gina, when he lamented that therapists don't cure people, they merely walk with them through their problems for a while. Gina didn't buiy into that idea. We are all more holistic and humanistic than we often care to admit.
It seems to me that psychotherapists do the same thing. Today most psychological healers claim to be a cognitive therapists. Years ago it was psychoanalysis, client centered therapy, humanistic approaches, Gestalt thereapy, and so on. All of these models, even in the best trained hands, may be helpful but they are not paneceas for emotional health. All have limitations, even those with solid empirical (evidence based) backing. They don't work for every condition or every client. They don't take into account less tangible and measureable factors such the relationship between therapist and client. They are not complete theories of personality (Psychoanalytic models come closest because of developmental concepts that are intrinsic to the model. However they can be used to explain anything by the those who speak the langauage fluently, and therefore have little predictive value.) My point is that these models provide tricks (OK tools) of the trade. They bring some order out of chaos and a comfort level to the therapist. But the most honest of us will admit that there is more going on when outcomes are positive or negative than merely the particular stratgey the therpist believes he is employing. Gabriel Byrne, the Irish actor/therapist, Paul, on HBOs In Treatment, who explains everything in a psychodynamic targeting parents as villains, said it best to his own therapist, Gina, when he lamented that therapists don't cure people, they merely walk with them through their problems for a while. Gina didn't buiy into that idea. We are all more holistic and humanistic than we often care to admit.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Transitions
We usually think of transitions in life as positive-a child learns to walk, the first day of school, graduations, marriage. Each represents the beginning of a new phase in life and brings with it hope for the future. Retirement is also a transition and it has its positives--the end of the daily grind, new opportunities for travel or pursuit of hobbies. Yet there are also negatives since it portends ultimate decline, illness, and death.
This week, at age 76,I celebrated my third retirement at the same time that I was planning for several new ventures. There are some of us who cannot retire without feeling useless and inadequate. We tend to define ourselves by what we do in the marketplace. Most souls are able to give up that false sense of identity. Others cling to it as a source of recognition and purpose. For me being a psychologist who also writes is who I am. So long as I maintain some modicum of health I will continue to play this role. I don't look down on those who do otherwise. Indeed, I
sometimnes envy them. But for me there is no choice. I am leaving a pleasant and comfortable part-time position where I was moderately successful to expland my options for consulting, writing, and doing private practice. For me transitions are a necessity-- a source of optimism, and continued potential for productivity, creativity, and growth. Nostalgia at walking away from friends and colleagues is balanced by new opportunities, challenges, and anticipation of success. It has always been so. For want of a better label I dub myself a "transitionalist." Wish me luck.
This week, at age 76,I celebrated my third retirement at the same time that I was planning for several new ventures. There are some of us who cannot retire without feeling useless and inadequate. We tend to define ourselves by what we do in the marketplace. Most souls are able to give up that false sense of identity. Others cling to it as a source of recognition and purpose. For me being a psychologist who also writes is who I am. So long as I maintain some modicum of health I will continue to play this role. I don't look down on those who do otherwise. Indeed, I
sometimnes envy them. But for me there is no choice. I am leaving a pleasant and comfortable part-time position where I was moderately successful to expland my options for consulting, writing, and doing private practice. For me transitions are a necessity-- a source of optimism, and continued potential for productivity, creativity, and growth. Nostalgia at walking away from friends and colleagues is balanced by new opportunities, challenges, and anticipation of success. It has always been so. For want of a better label I dub myself a "transitionalist." Wish me luck.
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