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My dad has Oesophageal cancer please read

Dannie150291
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Hey, 

I wanted to post to see if anyone could share their story on oesophageal cancer.

My dad was dignosed last year in July with stage 4 terminal cancer of the oesophgus. He was having trouble swallowing and eating so went to the doctors and as soon as they put the camera down his throat he was told it was cancer and the tumour was the size of a lemon? He started chemo in  August 2020 and had chemo every 2 weeks up until August this year.  Some weeks he wasn't able to have it due low blood counts etc. He took to the chemo really well, still has all his hair, was able to eat again and was just generally doing well. Around August this year he started to feel the lump back in his throat and was starting to choke on his food again so we gathered the chemo has stopped working for him. Since then he has just rapidly gone down hill! 
 

My dad no can't eat hardly anything without vomiting and chocking he is literally starving. He is getting weak, loosing weight, tired all the time and has hiccups on and off all day. His stomach is causing him pain too. He recently had a scan and they saw somthing in his stomach but as he is too weak to operate to have a look they have just left it. 
He is really struggling he can barely walk now. The right side of his body is  not doing what he wants it to do so he is limping and having to walk with a walking stick and if he does walk it's taking him 20 mins to walk a 3-5 min journey. My dad is only 57

I live 2.5jours away from my dad so I can't see him as much as I would like to and I think he does keep alot from us as when we ask how he is as he always says "I'm good, just hungry" my dad is not the sort to ask questions to doctors and he doesn't really listen to what people say to him at the best of times so you can imagin how hard it is to never know what exactly is going on in terms of his cancer and treatment or next steps etc and we don't want to always bring it up and question him when we do see him as we feel this is unfair. 

Could anyone tell me what they experienced with Somone they know who has or had this cancer. From what I have written does this sound like the end stage for this type of cancer? I feel my dad is deteriorating rapidly and nothing seems to be getting done to help him. He hasn't had chemo for over a month as his been unwell and weak and he was supposed to have a stent fitted but they haven't done that yet either. 
 

I'm forever googling which I know is not great as everyone is different and every story is unique but I just want to know if what I have said about my dad sounds like he is getting to the end. 
 

if anyone could share their story I would be extremely grateful 

thank you 

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    Hello Dannie150291,

    I am sorry to hear about your dad's terminal cancer diagnosis and that the chemotherapy treatment has stopped working for him and he has gone downhill since. It's heartbreaking that your dad can't eat anything and that he is losing weight and is tired all the time. I hope that you will meet others on the forum who have looked after someone who has had this cancer and that they will be along shortly to share their story with you. There is information on our website on advanced oesophageal cancer which I hope will be useful to you. 

    You are right not to google too much as indeed everyone's story is different and unique. Perhaps you could talk to your dad's medical team and ask them what their honest opinion is and if they can give you an indication as to what to expect? They will be familiar with your dad's medical history and with his current diagnosis and will therefore be in the best position to answer any questions you may have. 

    Feel free also to give our nurses a call on this free number 0808 800 4040 if there is anything you would like to talk about - their line is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. 

    I will now let our other members who have been in a similar position before come and share their story with you. It helps to talk to others who understand what you are currently going through. 

    We're thinking of you, your dad and your family during this difficult time.

    Best wishes, 

    Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator 

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    Hey Dannie

    I'm so sorry to hear about your dad's diagnosis. 
    my dad was sadly also diagnosed with this cruel cancer of the oesophagus in February 2020 and sadly that wasn't curable as it had spread to his liver. 
    Very similar to your dad my dad also had chemo last year and it went really well, the cancer shrunk so that was fantastic news. 
    However, this year was a different story in the sense that dad had chemo and sadly this stopped working. We lost him on the 27th of September this year, it has been so tough be he's no longer in pain. 
    I'm so sorry to hear about your dad struggling to eat, maybe contacting a GP they would be able to refer your dad to a hospice so they can help with pain management/ maybe help with the eating side of things? The community nurses were brilliant with my dad and he was able to stay at home, I would say to contact your GP and explain your worries and ask them maybe to come and see your dad? Or the other option would be is to contact your dad's consultant?

    Sending you a huge virtual hug, it's so incredibly hard I know. Xx

  • Offline in reply to Charlte212

    Thank you so much for taking the time to reply, it really means a lot. I'm so sorry that you have been in my position and that it resulted in your dad sadly passing away. This illness is absolutely cruel and heart wrenching for us all :(  how old was your dad? 

    My dad was admitted to hospital on Monday as he was just so weak and constantly throwing up and in pain. They gave him pain relief and administerd different fluids as he is was not managing to eat or drink anything without bringing it straight back up.  His body is severely struggling to function he can't even walk. 
     

    They fitted a stent on Wednesday so we are hoping this will mean he may start to be able to drink and eat again soon? Did your dad have a stent fitted at all? If so how did he get on with it?  Since the stent has been fitted my dad has not had an appetite and the thought of food makes him feel sick but I'm hoping this will soon change. 
     

    If it's not to hard would you be able to share what symptoms your dad had which indicated he was coming to his end stage? im just wondering if your dad had any of the symptoms my dad is currently displaying such as --- struggling with getting out of bed and walking? My dad just can't really walk anymore at all. Did he have a lot of Pain, loss of appetite and fatigue, confusion and mood swings, weighloss and greyish colouring to skin? Are these the signs that he is nearing the end, I just don't know

    Part of me does feels this is my dads body telling and showing us he is getting to the end of his fight but I'm also holding onto hope that his weakness is just due to not eating and drinking? I don't know it's all just such a confusing time for us all as a family. 

    Sorry for so many questions and please don't think you have to answer it's only if you choose to share more details with me. 
    Again, thank you for your reply x

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