Nearly 8 years of Cancer Treatment and I’m fit and happy to share the reasons why…

Hi I’m John…75 years old, diagnosed with T3 Oesophageal Cancer in 2017…chemo…radiotherapy…then surgery in 2018.

The cancer sneaked into a lung in 2020 and since then I have been visiting a wonderful Hospital every three weeks (78 times to date) for an infusion of trastuzumab ( herceptin) along with regular telephone consultations, blood tests, CT scans and echocardiograms. I don’t find it a burden in the slightest. My trips feel like visiting family!

I lead a pretty normal life, exercising, volunteering as a conservationist, eating well and probably drinking more red wine than I should!

I’d be more than happy to answer any questions. Before I go, I’d just like to say that apart from the medics at my hospital and without the support of my partner Sue, who I met only four months previous to my first diagnosis in 2017, my outlook on life would not be what it is…happy and optimistic.

 

  • Hello John and welcome to the Cnacer Chat forum. 

    I wanted to post to thank you for sharing your story with the community. I know that many people who find themselves at the start of a cancer journey can be overwhelmed by a rollercoaster of thoughts and emotions. Undoubtedly your story and positive approach will offer hope to others in the future. 

    Sending both you and Sue my very best wishes for many happy years together. 

    Jenn
    Cancer Chat moderator 

  • Thank you Jenn. With most/all of the scary stuff behind me I’ve been lucky enough ( with massive help) to think about the truth of  George Harrison’s song title “All things must pass”  

  • Happy to chat with anyone about anything 

  • Thank you . Well, the tears wouldn't stop running down my face today. For no reason I just felt totally overwhelmed at having had cancer. Is this normal / abnormal so long after my operation?
    I posted about myself in, I think it was, July 2023 and received tremendous support. October that year I was diagnosed with liposarcoma and in November had major surgery to remove it, which necessitated removing my left kidney, spleen, half the pancreas and half the colon. So far CT scans have shown no recurrence. I count myself very, very fortunate to still be here. So why today are the tears here? I feel as if I am going potty.

  • Hello Mary. My first instinct in reading your note was “Blimey Mary, it’s no wonder the tears are flowing…you must have been through the equivalent of being run over by a train!”

    I am a lump in the throat crier…and I’m sure my medical stuff has had something to do with it. In a strange way I feel it’s something like having a good laugh..a massive release of emotion connected with what others call our bravery and what we call our good fortune at surviving and being able to enjoy being alive. 
    I try to embrace it as a very positive side effect. 
    My best wishes. 
    John

  • Thank you.

    Both my husband and I just said "but why now? (the tears).

  • A song by the Byrds, written by Pete Seeger, popped into my head at your question. 
    “Turn, Turn, Turn”…there’s a line in it about a time to cry…Perhaps ( without reason) that time is now. 
    john

  • Thank you. If you haven't had cancer, you can't understand, can you? I have, though sometimes I think "did I?", and even I can't understand my emotions myself!

    Oh, I;m 77 by the way, at 75 I had the operation, had my birthday in hospital, and had another one this year. Professor ........ had said if I was in my 80s he wouldn't have countenanced it.