By Alesha Capone
A close-knit family is on a mission to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer, after their father was diagnosed with the illness earlier this year.
Tony Mesman, 68, lived in Hoppers Crossing between 1979 and 2018, before moving to Wentworth upon his retirement.
Tony spent 38 years volunteering for St John Ambulance, including more than 15 years as superintendent of the Wyndham division.
He also volunteered with the CFA.
Tony’s four children – daughters Lyndell Creswell, Jacinta and Joanne and son Phillip – are appealing for other people to familiarise themselves with the signs of pancreatic cancer, because the disease often does not show symptoms in its early stages.
Some of its symptoms can include abdominal and mid-back pain, unexplained weight loss, yellow skin or eyes, new-onset diabetes, digestive problems and a loss of appetite.
Pancreatic cancer groups urge anyone showing these symptoms to visit their GP.
Lyndell said her dad developed stomach pains and started losing weight, and developed stage two diabetes in December.
He went to see the doctor, but it was not until his pain became so bad one night in February that an ambulance was called.
Tony was then diagnosed with stage-four pancreatic cancer.
Lyndell said the news came “out of the blue” for her family.
“No-one in the family has had pancreatic cancer, it was such a shock,” she said.
“Four months ago he was fine.”
Lyndell said Tony survived prostate cancer about 10 to 15 years ago, but unfortunately, his latest cancer diagnosis did “not look good”.
Tony is undergoing chemotherapy and is in palliative care, with nurses coming to his home three times a week and Meals on Wheels delivering food.
Lyndell said that she and her siblings, along with Tony’s 10 grandchildren, visited him as often as possible.
“I would hate for other families to go through this, we want to raise awareness of pancreatic cancer, as most people don’t find out until stage four and then nothing can be done,” she said.
Lyndell and her siblings recently had their photo taken with Tony.
Jacinta made special T-shirts for the occasion, in purple – the official colour of pancreatic cancer.
Lyndell said the photographer, Jeremy Heffernan, offered to take the pictures because his wife was able to save their child, who was choking, as a result of first aid Tony had taught her.
