Stage 4 Mesothelioma

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Hi.
My mum has mesothelioma in both lungs. they told her a year ago it was incurable. She’s had immunotherapy and chemotherapy but I don’t think she’s going to be offered any more treatment.
she’s really struggling to keep up her weight.shes so so tired but my dad and her go out in the wheelchair for fresh air everyday.
She’s lost a few stone and is trying to keep up to 8 stone BUT her whole life is currently totally taken up with trying to eat as much as possible of high fat high protein meals. She can’t taste anything and isn’t ever hungry so she’s forcing herself to eat and it’s sucking all the joy out of life. If she eats less for just 1 day she loses weight.

I’m not sure if this is what she should be doing though? . When does someone say to not worry and instead just to eat little bits of what she likes? Or is that no good. Should she really be keeping up her weight at the expense of joy ?

sorry if that doesn’t make sense.
Your thoughts and expertise would be greatly appreciated.
emma

Kate - Macmillan 14 days ago

Hi Deesa1411,

Thanks for getting in touch and welcome back I see that you are on other groups. I hope you find these helpful. I’m Kate one of the Cancer Information Nurses Specialists here on the Macmillan Support Line.

I am sorry to hear of your mums diagnosis of mesothelioma. It sounds like a constant struggle for your mum with her diet and trying to maintain her weight. It can be common to have eating problems with cancer also when you are on or had chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

When someone is having Chemotherapy or immunotherapy it is important for you to maintain your weight to help manage the effects of the treatment.

Mum can decide if she wants more treatment if this is offered. She would have to be physically well for the treatment. She could also decide to not have more treatment and choose quality of life and eat little and often of what she fancies when she is eating.

Your mums GP could refer her to the Community palliative care team. They are usually linked in with the local hospice. Many people worry about involving the Palliative care team, but they can help with symptom management, emotional support and care at home. It is not only about end of life.

I hope this information is useful. Please don’t hesitate to get back in contact by email, webchat or phone, if you need further information or support.

The Macmillan Support Line offers practical, clinical, financial and emotional support. You can call us free from landlines and from most mobile phone networks* on 0808 808 00 00, 7 days a week, 8am – 8pm.

take care.

Kate,

Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

Ref KE/SA

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Stage 4 Mesothelioma