When you're diagnosed with mesothelioma, it's understandable to be torn between feeling positive and optimistic and wanting to be realistic about your prognosis. Mesothelioma is often diagnosed at the later stages, and the prognosis may not be bright. Being optimistic throughout your treatment is important � for your and your family's spirits. But it's just as important, before you feel more sick and exhausted, to prepare a few legal documents to protect yourself if your disease progresses. Advance Directives: Why They Are Important Advance directives are legal documents that tell health care professionals what treatment and life-sustaining measures you want if you become too ill to speak for yourself. There are different kinds of advance directives, all of which protect your interests and wishes. Creating your advance directives is an important task after a mesothelioma diagnosis, says Tanis Hernandez, MSW, an outreach coordinator for the Center for Asbestos Related Disease in Libby, Mont. "It's important to address this issue as early as possible, because it's a lot easier to have these discussions and to make these choices before you even ever have a terminal illness," says Hernandez. "But, the more functional you are, the better." Advance Directives: Who Should Get a Copy You may need to consult a lawyer for some of the advance directives, but laws vary by state. Not all states require a lawyer to draft the documents, so find out what the requirements are where you live. It's also important, once you have the advance directives in place, to make sure that all of your health care providers have a copy, says Hernandez. Your doctor, the local hospital, and a caregiver or family member should all have a copy of your advance directives, in case there is ever an emergency. Advance Directives: Types Various legal documents may be needed after a mesothelioma diagnosis. Here are some documents that can help you: Durable power of attorney (POA) for health care. This document names another individual to act in your place when it comes to your health care. This person is the one who will give your treatment team permission to proceed with medical treatment, surgery, or other procedures if you are not able to speak for yourself. "It's important that your power of attorney [names someone who] is willing to advocate your choices," says Hernandez. Living will. The living will is a document that states what life-sustaining measures you want taken � or avoided � if you cannot speak for yourself when you are near the end of life. A living will states whether you wish to be placed on a ventilator or have a feeding tube under certain conditions. Do-not-resuscitate order (DNR). A DNR is a written request stating that you do not want life-sustaining measures (like CPR or cardiopulmonary resuscitation) taken if your heart stops beating or you stop breathing. This document needs to be in your chart at hospitals and your doctor's office. Many states also have another version of the DNR that applies to emergency providers like EMTs (emergency medical technicians) in an ambulance, says Hernandez. In that case, you would need both. Financial power of attorney (POA). A financial power of attorney is different from a health care POA. A financial POA designates someone who can write checks for you, handle your mortgage and estate, and manage your finances and assets for you if you cannot do so due to illness. Will. A will dictates how you want your estate � your finances and assets � to be distributed after death. You can name an executor to handle those transactions, and to read the will after death. Drafting these advance directives is the best way to protect your health and your wishes. These documents also protect your family from having to make difficult decisions on your behalf. You can have peace of mind knowing that everything is taken care of, so that you can put all of your energy into treating your mesothelioma.
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