HI,

Welcome to the 'oesophageal' club.......... a club you'd no doubt rather not be in.

We are also in the said club.  With a diagnosis about 8 weeks ago.  OMG, the emotional turmoil had been indescribable.  My husband is now in chemo.

As bad as it is, one thing that has kept me going is; and this is going to sound a tad simple, but keeping everything as normal as possible, regardless of what is on the horizon.  Enjoying the things you always have together, shoving the diagnosis to the back of your mind. Easy stuff  , like watching a show on tv that you always watch, talking about gardening anything that you normally do.  IT may come up, but it doesn't matter if it doesn't.

 At first the 'news' was like a big rock at the front of my brain, but we decided to go on the holiday we had booked- funny enough, we actually enjoyed our holiday, 'the blob' was always there in the backround, but we barely talked about it. Even now we have the 'plan' we don't tak about it that much, there isn't a lot to say, but we continue our 'squabbles' about who's turn it is to take the bins out!! (childish, i know, but normal for us)

One thing is for sure, there is NOT a right or wrong way to feel, it is okay NOT to be okay.

Best wishes

H

Hi so has my husband 1 week three days, we are finding it so so hard to come to terms with this, it is the waiting, it's been confirmed, but now has to have a Pet Scan, of which we are awaiting an appointment, my husband is a very heathy man for his age, he is 76 years of age, no way looks it, and no way has ever been ill in his life, only 3 years ago when he had a heart attack, it is hereditary, the consultants were so amazed of his recovery. We have already lost our sons with Cystic Fibrosis, and have no family support, I am disabled now, I hope we get some help, not money just to help me care for my husband. I will agree with what you say, but I am afraid my husband has gone within himself a bit. We have been married 53 years, and were extremely close. 

Hello there

My husband had this diagnosis on 2 October 2019. He was 72 then and ran the 5k parkrun every Saturday and played the saxophone. He seemed so fit. He was never overweight and did not smoke or drink. I will always wonder what causes this awful illness.

So make the most of the time you have and find out his wishes. Make memories and take lots of photos.

My husband died on 30 September, a week ago today but I still can't really believe it. We were married 53 years and our children were here at home helping to care for him during the last few days.

Hello Ronnie46

I just wanted to say how so very sorry I am to hear of the passing of your husband.  Im so glad to know that you were both together with your children at home.  I have no words other than to say this devastating disease can never take away those 53 years of memories you shared together.  My heart goes out to you all.

I lost my husband to Juntional Esophageal Cancer on 10th September 2016.  I still struggle so much without my soulmate.  It doesnt get easier as some say is how I feel but you find ways of coping slowly.

Like you I too will always wonder what causes such a cruel wicked disease.

I truly am so sorry for all your husband yourself and children have and are going through.

Please look after yourselves.

Virtual hugs xx

Hello cardiofaz

I am so sorry to read that your father in law has been diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer.  I have no words it such a cruel disease.

I lost my husband 4 yrs ago with Junctional Esophageal Cancer.  I miss him more and more with each passing day.

There is an inspirational man who has been through the same Junctional Esophageal Cancer diagnoses so much like my husband.  He posts on here and you can follow his journey.  He proves that you should never give up hope and that the doctors and texts books are NOT always right.  His name is Davek I hope his journey helps give you hope and positivity as hard as that is.

Sending viitual hugs to you and all who are suffering this cruel disease.

Take care 

Thanks all for your kind messages.

He was in hospital today to have his stent put in and that will hopefully help him to start eating some food again which he was in pain for the last few weeks.

We have a checkup about his chemo starting next week, so that will give us more information. It is very difficult still to take this all in. He is not someone who smokes or drinks alchoal, so it has been difficult to work out how this has happened.

[@Hilts]‍ - Thinking if you and your husband. I hope he gets through it, we all have hope and it is great suggestion on just continue to be normal.

Thanx cardiofaz, 

yep, it’s tough, right now I am sat opposite him, while he has the 5fu on the overnight infusion, part of the FLOT chemo - nuclear stuff.  Strange thing today . He went over the unit to have his chemo. Three guys (husband 1 of them) in a row. All having FLOT for stage 2/3 oesophageal. Husband was the ‘oldest’ at 56, one 47, one 44!!! Husband chatting to them  All ‘clean’ living ( no fags, booze or drugs), all very few symptoms, all from different ethnic ingredients, generally fit and well blokes. Now I know this a regional unit (all these guys were locals though), and they might have all the oesophageals in on a Friday, but it struck me as significant that they were pretty much carbon copies. Is this cancer on the rise I wonder. It was something that I knew very little about until 8 weeks ago):

Most upsetting thing is I had him back last Tuesday, his normal self,recovered from his 2 nd cycle, now we have to go through it again and again in 2 weeks- it is tough x

Hi

i got shivers as I read this as I could of written it, I'm so sorry to hear your news and am in the same boat. My father in law got diagnosed with stage 4 2 days ago; it's come as a complete shock. He should be having a stent put in next week and then will discuss chemo, my husband is in bits and I don't know how best to support them

all. We just had our first baby, their first grandchild four weeks ago and my father in law is devastated he won't see her grow up. They have given him 2/3 years, has anyone any experience of living longer than this with this diagnosis ? If you ever want to talk I'm here too xx