Ascites - when should we be worried about symptoms? My husband is in pain & discomfort and I can't get a hold of his nurse specialist. I don't know what to do

Hi, my husband has advanced bowel cancer with aggressive mets to bones and now back to peritoneum. He went to A&E the other day and was told he has Ascites. He’s in so much pain and discomfort with a swollen tummy. Last night he was sick a lot, only once but it was a massive amount. 
we had an appointment with his consultants registrar and she said she would book in for fluid drain but it would take a while. When should we be worried about the symptoms of the Ascites? Should I be pushing for fluid drain faster for him now he’s being sick? 
I can’t get hold of his nurse specialist and with it being so close to Christmas I don’t know where to get help other than sitting in A&E again for them to say they can’t do anything without speaking to consultant and my husband having to sit for hours being uncomfortable for what may be his last Christmas with our children. I just don’t know what to do for the best. 

  • Hello and thank you for posting,

    I am so sorry to hear about your husband, and cannot imagine what you are going through as a family.

    I can very much understand you not wanting to take your husband to hospital this needs to be sorted for him at home with you all.

    If your husband is known to a palliative care nurse or a Macmillan nurse in the community please do contact them today, they should have an office contact number to leave a message with, and tell them what is happening. They are experts in symptom management and will do their best to get him more comfortable. If he is not known to this team please contact his GP or district nurses. Most of these services have out of hours provision or, even in times of Bank Holidays, have something in place to help those who are feeling more unwell. If you are unable to contact anyone to help at this time do call 111.

    Do call us if you want to talk anything through with the nurses, our number is 0808 800 4040, lines are open Mon-Fri, 9-5. We are closed x-mas eve and the bank holidays. 

    I hope you have support from friends and family at this time.

    Sarah.