Mesothelioma spread to stomach

My dad was diagnosed in November 2019 with mesothelioma, he underwent immunotherapy but this has now been stopped due to the cancer spreading to his stomach.  He has a plearx drain fitted and is being "drained" every other day by the district nurses who are taking at least 1 litre off each time.  He is now under the care of the hospice at home team.  He is losing weight rapidly and the doctors said in April that he would only have a few months to live.  I wonder if anyone else has been through the same and would have any comments on what we need to look out for that shows dad is taking a turn for the worse. In himself he says he feels fine but day by day we can see a decline.

 

Thank you.

  • Hello Raine1969

    I'm so sorry to hear about your Dad's diagnosis and that he's now currently being cared for by the hospice at home team. It's understandable that you may be on a rollercoaster of emotions and that you have questions about what the coming days and weeks may hold. 

    We have some information on our website about living with advanced mesothelioma as well as some information about dying with cancer that you may find helpful. Your Dad's hospice team will be best placed to offer you some insight into how his condition is progressing and what to expect but we do have a team of nurses here that you're welcome to call and chat with if you think it would help. I'm sure they will be happy to offer any advice, information, and support that they can. If you'd like to talk with them at any point they're available Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm on 0808 800 4040.

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator 

  • Hi

     

    Dad appears to be going downhill now he has severe ascites and is being drained 4 times a week of 1 litre at a time.  The fluid started out a light yellow colour but it has now turned in to a dark brown/reddish colour.  Could this be a sign that his liver is failing do you think??  He is also swelling in other regions i.e, arms, legs and feet and is actually leaking fluid from his arms.  Do you think that this is a bad sign?  I can't seem to get any answers out of the nurses who drain him, my full support to them don't get me wrong but I don't think they are specialist nurses as they are not from the palliative care team they are the community nurses.

     

    thank you x

     

  • Hello Raine1969

    I'm sorry to hear that your Dad's condition is deteriorating. It's obviously a worrying time for you at the moment. 

    It's good to hear that the community nurses are supporting your Dad and trying to keep him as comfortable as possible. I'm afraid that I don't know the answer to your questions and I'm guessing that your Dad doesn't currently have input from any other medical professionals that you can ask. 

    If you'd like to talk things through with one of our nurses I'm sure they would be happy to offer any advice, information, and support that they can. they're available Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm on 0808 800 4040. 

    I'm sorry that I can't be of more help at this time. 

    Best wishes, 
    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator