My dad was diagnosed two months ago with stage IV melanoma metastasized to the brain. He was on Temodar and whole brain raditation and given Decadron to control edema. He was getting better everyday, but the last 304 days he has been getting much worse. He muscle weakness has increased to the point that he can barely walk to the bathroom or even sit up. We hoped this was from a steroid induced myopathy at worst, but got a call from the doctor this morning that the results of his last MRI were not good. He has additional swelling in the frontal lobe from hemorrhaging that was not previously there and all of the lesions are either stable or growing. Two of the mesaured lesions have grown fom 2.3 to 2.8mm and another from 6mm to 8mm. The number of lesions according to the doctor is very high and not wirth trying to focus on an exact number at this point.
He originally gave my dad 6mos - 2yrs when he was diagnosed and even though he is getting worse says that that is as accurate as they can tell. My dad did not like to hear such a broad spectrum and wants me to ry and find out what I can for him. I have shown him statistical data for his stage of melanoma, but he fears he has less time then the statistics. Is he just afriad of dying or is he right in thinking he has less time?
The doctor has suggested tapering him off of the Decadron, and we are afraid that the swelling will get worse, but at the same time if he stays on it we are afraid of the side effects. He has a doctors appointment on Tuesday to discuss whether to continue treatment or turn to Hospice care. Everyday we wake up (when we can sleep) wondering if he made it thhrough the tnight.
Can anyone that has been through this tell us what the end will most likely be like for him? I hate for the idea that he would have to suffer for weeks or months in misery.
Thank you for any response or suggestions.