9. Shortness of Breath: Gasping for Life’s Basic Necessity
Shortness of breath can transform a simple task like climbing stairs into an uphill battle for oxygen. Peritoneal mesothelioma may primarily target the abdomen, but it can also wreak havoc on your lungs indirectly. A build-up of fluid in the abdominal cavity can push against the diaphragm, the muscle responsible for helping you breathe.
You start to notice it in small ways—slight gasping after minimal physical exertion or struggling to catch your breath during a casual conversation. But then it becomes progressively worse. The lungs, already working overtime, become even more restricted, struggling for each inhalation and exhalation.
The uncomfortable sensation of not getting enough air is mentally taxing. It triggers a sense of urgency, a subconscious alarm that something is fundamentally wrong. Breathing is supposed to be automatic, yet here you are, mindful of each breath as if it’s a chore. You find yourself unwillingly participating in a laborious cycle—inhale, struggle, exhale, repeat. (9)
