Hi Darren2308,

Welcome to the forum. I am sorry to learn about your dad and understand it must be difficult to stay in good spirits, but keep trying. It's hard to know how long he has, but his doctor is probably the best person to speak to about your concerns. He sounds like an active person so, if you don't already, it might be a nice idea to go with him on his walks. Spending as much time together as you can will make all the difference. There's some information here, which I hope will help with his care and if you ever need to talk to someone our team of nurses are available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm and the number 0808 800 4040 is free to call. 

All the best to you,

Moderator Anastasia 

Hello, my Dad was diagnosed on the 7th Feb this year  with mesothlioma. Things started coming to light with  it in October started as what we thought was a bad case of pleurisy but ended up with a pleural effusion. My Dad has really decline quiet rapidly since 7th Feb his lost over two stone in weight, his also under a hospice for palliative care and they can’t seem to get the meds controlled he suffers with extreme nerve pain, hallucinations and drowsiness. We have a scan for him tomorrow to see how far things have progressed. My Dad wasn’t diagnosed by stage they gave him a cell type my Dads is sarcomtoid how aggressive it is was diagnosed on a scale of how big tumor was at that time, where is had spread to and if it had got in the lymph node. I don’t know the full position of my Dads cancer at the time of diagnosis because he doesn’t want to know and therefore we as family also don’t ask. They did give him 6-12 months at best but I must admit I’m frightened of the changes  etc. I hope I haven’t scared you or anything 

Hello I read your post as my dad to got diagnosed with sarcomatoid mesothelioma this august after a long wait of 6 months for results. I wondered how is your dad doing if his taking any treatments? 

Thank you 

Hi Laura, I’m sorry to hear of your Dad’s diagnosis. Unfortunately my Dad died very shortly after his diagnosis on 14th April. He was offered palliative cemo but decided against it instead his pain relief was adjusted and he had nurses coming out almost daily with a few stays in the local hospice. I know what a difficult time this must be for you so if you need any support or have any other questions just let me know. 

Best wishes 

Vikki

So sorry to hear that. May I ask how old was your dad? And what  sort of pain he had ? symptoms after his diagnosis ?  

My dad seems to be ok his appetite picked up a bit,  he looks ok. I am hoping this chemo will work. 

Thank you 

My Dad was 65. My Dad suffered terribly with nerve pain sadly they were never able to fully control my Dads pain they were forever changing the medication , he had awful constipation due to the morphine based drugs and his appetite declined rapidly he also suffered hallucinations and his weight dramatically declined. That being said once my Dad received his diagnosis he became very withdrawn and depressed but wouldn’t speak to professionals about it and confined himself to his bed. In my opinion I think he would have lasted longer if he could have overcome the mental side of it. The problem was the diagnosis being so final there is no really cure for asbestos related cancer he was offered cemo but at best it would have prolonged life expectancy by two months once he weighed up the effects of cemo vs the outcome he decided it wasn’t for him.

Its horrible that not only they dont have cure but they cant really control it. I've been looking for private cancer care but there's so many I dont know which one to go to. As well as i want a second opinion from trusted site. 

You mention his hallucinations was that a side effect of drugs ? 

Thank you 

It is a very cruel conditon. My Dad asked for another opinion and was seen by another consultant so this is something you can ask for. After my Dad was discharged from the hospital McMillan took over and they are brilliant with advice etc. Yes my Dads hallucinations were down to the opioid based medications