Recent shock diagnosis of Oesophagus cancer

Hi

At 75 having enjoyed good health most of my life I have got cancer of the oesophagus. I was hoping to carry on working for a few years and stopping work is in itself a big blow, both mentally and financially. I have the prospect of chemo and then the operation which fills me full of dread

  • Hi Jasman,

    Have they told you yet what stage you’re at?

    It’s always a shock to receive a cancer diagnosis but the fact that you have at least two treatment options sounds hopeful. 

    Good luck!
    Dave

  • Hi Jasman

    What a blow getting that diagnosis. If you can carry on working at something you enjoy it is more good for you than all the other therapies than can be offered. Meeting people, using your brain and body and carrying on with life as normally as possible. Also like you I need the income it provides so that  I am not left destitute. I've worked past state pension age throughout my treatments but do take time off to recover from surgery and tiredness from currently receiving immunotherapy. Don't be too hard on your body, neither of us are spring chickens and you do use a lot of energy dealing with this.

    Best for your upcoming treatments.

    Ed

  • Thank you Ed

    Just off to get drip line put in. I would like yo message you later. 

    James

  • I'm sure it will all go well and the healthcare team will give you all the info you need so the procedure is a success. It is the not knowing bit which is worse than the treatment. They did not put a line in for me as the cemiplimab can be put through a cannula in back of hand and the infusion takes just 30 minutes every three weeks. I am grateful for this as my job is physically demanding and I don't think it would be possible to do with a PIC line in place.

    The big long list of side effects that I was made aware of did not happen. Just bad fatigue for the first few days, a flare up of eczema and a few aches and pains, all of which I'm prone to getting anyway.

    I hope that the treatment you are about to start will be successful and that you can carry on with life as normally as possible.

    Ed

  • How did your day go at the hospital?

    Trust you are in good shape

    Ed

  • Hi Ed

    Having not been in hospital very often , all new experience.

    Had the iv line inserted up to my heart..tried not to focus on that. Didn't feel a thing..but very slightly aware of it.

    My son has moved in to look after me and take pressure of my wife who is struggling with Angina, asthma etc.

    Taking the steroids...yuk.starting drip chemo tomorrow and must grin and bear it whilst monitoring for side or nasty effects.

    I think the midwife Will do home visits mid week to remove the chemo ' home' bottle and take bloods and will show my son the drill for injections.  He's a part time army medic with bsc biology and micro biology masters and has taken all the notes