Mesothelioma Nurse Suggests Mentally Preparing for Surgery for Quicker Recovery

• Lisa Hyde-Barrett
• Nurse's Corner

You or your loved one has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, or maybe it is not yet official and you need to have a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. You are frightened and terrified of the unknown and what you know of the disease. Is there anything that can ease your suffering and put your mind at ease?

Prepare for Surgery, Heal Faster: A Guide of Mind-Body Techniques, by Peggy Huddleston, is a book for everybody who is going to have surgery. It emphasizes the importance of preparing – physically, emotionally and spiritually – before, during and after your procedure. Long before you were diagnosed with mesothelioma, you have had experiences that can affect how you heal from your surgery and how effective the treatments can be.

There have been clinical studies done that document that people who prepare for an operation have less pain, fewer complications and recover sooner. Ms. Huddleston’s book focuses on how people can use their emotions, attitudes and human spirits to enhance the healing process. She has developed a five step plan to help prepare people for surgery and for the healing that needs to take place.

In brief, the five steps are:

• Relax to Feel Peaceful,
• Visualize Your Healing,
• Organize a Support Group,
• Use Healing Statements,
• Meet an Anesthesiologist.

“Using these techniques will help you: feel calmer before surgery, use 23-50% less pain medication, recover faster, save money on medical bills,” says Huddleston. Sometimes claims are made that cannot be substantiated. This book is in its 5th edition, has scientific research to back it up, and is endorsed by leading MD’s in the country. There has long been known the connection between attitude and healing and the importance of  positive thinking in the recovery process.

If you have questions about your mesothelioma treatment or any aspect of your mesothelioma care, please email me at [email protected]

Know more about Mesothelioma and how you can deal with it.