Losing a loved one is always painful, but the pain of seeing them suffer in their last moments can be excruciating. Often, family members find themselves helpless when they see their loved one dealing with cancer, as the disease ravages through one’s body in a matter of days. They may be left wondering about the choices and circumstances that led to this situation and what could have been done to prevent it.
Grief can be tricky. It often comes with ravaging guilt and anger—emotions that can eat you alive long after your loved one is gone. If you’re dealing with the grief of losing someone to mesothelioma, it may seem that things cannot get easier any time soon. Staying rooted in reality can be helpful during a time like this. While you may not have done something to prevent them from going, you can take action to ease the pain.
Seek Legal Aid
While most cancers are either inherited or caused by a combination of genetics and environmental factors, mesothelioma is caused by one factor alone – asbestos exposure. Asbestos is no longer used in everyday products, as it was once widely used in household products. However, automobiles, packaging, and construction industries may use it even today, exposing workers to the poison often without warning.
Knowing that your loved one encountered this poisonous exposure at work and passed away due to negligence can be heartbreaking. However, you can ease some burden by seeking legal assistance. A mesothelioma lawyer will not only help collect evidence and build a strong case holding the company accountable but will also get you financial aid.
The financial compensation received from filing the mesothelioma suit and tracking down those responsible can give you much-needed closure.
Reach Out To Others
The loss of a loved one due to cancer causes family members to be angry and helpless. It can thus be natural to feel that no one understands the extent of the grief you’re experiencing. Reaching out to a support group of aggrieved family members of mesothelioma patients can be a healthy way to cope with grief.
Sharing your feelings to a group of people who have gone through exactly what you have can let you feel heard and help you get a lot off your shoulders. Some people can understand the emotional, financial, and social pain that comes with mesothelioma, and they can provide you with a safe space in which to express your pain.
Raise Awareness
People dealing with the death of a loved one with mesothelioma can lead to a million different questions. At times, you may question even simple life choices, such as encouraging your deceased loved one to take a job where they encountered asbestos, not scheduling regular doctor’s appointments, or trying alternative treatments. However, all of these questions arise from the initial lack of awareness that led to your situation.
Even though you can’t bring back the loved ones you’ve lost, you can prevent others from going through what you suffered. It’s important to educate others about asbestos exposure and mesothelioma so that they don’t have to ask the same questions you have. The legacy of your lost loved ones can also be carried forward by keeping other families safe, even after they’re gone. Contacting research organizations, NGOs, and advocacy agencies can help you channel your pain into empathy.
Recognize Complicated Grief
One of the most important things you need to pay attention to when dealing with the death of a loved one is your own grief. Grief is never linear, and you can feel as if you’re oscillating between feeling okay and feeling like you’re back at square one. Some days, your grief can feel crippling. However, it’s still important to keep an eye out for the signs of complicated grief.
If your grief carries on for too long and impairs your ability to carry on with everyday life, you may be suffering from complicated grief. Anxiety, depression, and even suicidality can accompany complex grief and develop into major depression. Keeping an eye on the signs can help you recognize when the situation is getting out of hand and deal appropriately.
Conclusion
Watching your loved ones wither away while they are battling mesothelioma can be one of the most painful experiences. You might feel that you will never be able to get your life back on track after they leave. However, you can still honor the life of the person you lost. Reaching out to others, not shutting yourself to the consequences, and seeking legal action can all help you cope with grief. The healthiest way to move through a grieving process and emerge stronger is to stay practical and look for support wherever you can.
