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Support

Support, Education, Books, Humor and Hope.

Online support groups for the patient, caregiver, family (including teens) and friends:

The Wellness Community® Virtual Wellness Community Online Support Group
ADAO and The Wellness Community (TWC) are proud to introduce our collaborative efforts providing free weekly participant, caregiver and teen groups that are password protected and led by trained professionals. ADAO recognizes the need is huge and the pain and destruction from these diseases are shattering. Our joint efforts with TWC are the first professionally facilitated, online group for patients, caregivers and families members suffering from asbestos related cancers. FINALLY, we all know mesothelioma, pleural, peritoneal, testicular and gastrointestinal, is not lung cancer. ADAO worked hard to establish support systems that understand mesothelioma.

Association of Cancer Online Resources, Inc. (ACOR)
The ACOR lists are a group of free, unmoderated discussion lists for patients, family, friends, researchers, and physicians, to discuss clinical and non-clinical issues and advances pertaining to all forms of cancer. This includes information about patient experiences, psychosocial issues, new research, clinical trials, and discussions of current treatment practices as well as alternative treatments.

”I have been a member of ACOR since Alan’s diagnosis in June 2003. ACOR not only saved Alan’s life, but mine. ACOR gave me hope and knowledge that could not be found anywhere during a time of crisis, confusion and bewilderment. Thank you to my ACOR family of friends.” – Linda Reinstein

Cancer Survival Toolbox®
The Cancer Survival Toolbox® is a free audio program designed to help cancer survivors and caregivers develop the practical tools to deal with the diagnosis, treatment and challenges of cancer.

End of Life Support

American Hospice Foundation
202-223-0204
The American Hospice Foundation supports programs that serve the needs of terminally ill and grieving individuals of all ages

Patient and Caregiver Books

• “Lean on Me: Cancer Through a Carer’s Eyes” by Lorraine Kember
• Surviving Cancer by Margie Levine — Back Cover — Information
• “Cereal for Dinner: Strategies, Shortcuts, and Sanity for Moms Battling Illness” by Kristine Breese

“Lean on Me: Cancer Through a Carer’s Eyes”, by Lorraine Kember
“A Must Read for Mesothelioma Families and for those affected by lung cancer of any kind”‘

“Lean on Me: Cancer Through a Carer’s Eyes”, by Lorraine Kember, is a powerfully moving and inspirational true story of a courageous man’s battle with mesothelioma cancer and his wife’s emotional journey as she supports him throughout his ordeal. Interspersed with diary excerpts and poems she wrote along the way, this very personal account depicts the depth of their love for each other, the sense of helplessness she experienced at the time of his diagnosis, and her growing strength as she comes to realize that there is much she can do to improve the quality of his life. Understanding pain, pain management and symptom control is detailed throughout, and insights into chemotherapy, palliative care and the benefits of dying at home are explored. This book provides hope and strength for mesothelioma patients and their families. A must read for anyone who has or who is caring for someone with mesothelioma or cancer of any kind.”

“Cereal for Dinner : Strategies, Shortcuts, and Sanity for Moms Battling Illness” by Kristine Breese
At the age of thirty-fiver, author Kristine Breese was always on the go–running after her two young children, training for marathons, and working as a full-time journalist. A typical selfless mom, Breese ignored the slight heart flutters and light-headedness she experienced from time to time. However, after ignoring symptoms for over 10 years, Breese collapsed from heart failure and was rushed to the hospital. After surgery and a pacemaker installation, Breese soon learned that to take great care of her kids, she needed to learn how to take fantastic care of herself.

Cereal for Dinner is a hands-on guide for mothers who are struggling with illness while also meeting the myriad demands of motherhood. The book teaches these mothers how to balance their lives so that they can care for themselves while still taking care of their families. Sections include:

*Taking Care of Yourself First: From “Shock” to “Check Up from the Neck Up”
*How Your Illness Affects Your Kids: From “Honesty” to “Tools for Talking”
*Maintaining Relationships: From “Daddies” to “Girlfriends,” to “Paychecks”.

Wisdom and Humor

“The Median Isn’t the Message” by Stephen Jay Gould

“As far as I’m concerned, Gould’s The Median Isn’t the Message is the wisest, most humane thing ever written about cancer and statistics. It is the antidote both to those who say that, “the statistics don’t matter,” and to those who have the unfortunate habit of pronouncing death sentences on patients who face a difficult prognosis. Anyone who researches the medical literature will confront the statistics for their disease. Anyone who reads this will be armed with reason and with hope. The Median Isn’t the Message is reproduced here by permission of the author.” by Steve Dunn

Postscript By Steve Dunn
Many people have written me to ask what became of Stephen Jay Gould. Sadly, Dr. Gould died in May of 2002 at the age of 60. Dr. Gould lived for 20 very productive years after his diagnosis, thus exceeding his 8 month median survival by a factor of thirty! Although he did die of cancer, it apparently wasn’t mesothelioma, but a second and unrelated cancer.