Hi guys. Sending love to you all. We have just lost my mum to this cancer after only 6 months post surgery. My advice push for the chemo after and push for all the scans you can get after too. If this had been possible for mum then she might still be here. Xx

Hi

I too would advise, push push push.  My brother had been visiting his GP since March with fears of this dreadful cancer and was pooh poohed and told it was acid reflux.  Eventually at the end of August he had an endoscopy and a biopsy.  By this time he had lost 1 and half stones in 6 weeks.  He was rushed into hospital on 20th September, and passed away on 25th October without having had any treatment.  I could go into far more detail but would not wish to distress anyone on this forum.  It was obviously too late for him and I find it extremely upsetting that in spite of him doing the right thing and going to his doctor, (and advising the doctor that his paternal grandfather had died of the same disease) he was sent away and not seen to in sufficient time to give him a few months quality of life.  

Make a nuisance of yourself, push and push for scans and tests and treasure every moment you have xx

Hi, 

still under the surgeons though, but next seeing them in June,

I don't think we asked the surgeons very much - apart from ' get rid' (:

I think it was useful NOT knowing the inns and outs as we felt 'what choice did we have' !

I think or at least hope that you take some comfort/reassurance from us lot on here, Knowing that there are (quite a few of us) are out the other side, in reasonable shape. 
Ask away though for what is that saying ' the lived experience' LOL

I didn't buy much LOL, but I just liked wandering around town, with quite a lot of other humans about, sun was shining and the coffee was hot........a good start (:

hilts

Hi,

It definitely helps knowing that others have come through the op and available for advice. Thanks.

Pleased that you enjoyed your new bit of freedom and it will be interesting to hear how trial progresses. 

Mandy

Hi Kodi, 

I never mind sharing our 'surreal' experience with full technicolour gory details LOL

The short answer in your case, is who knows- that is really not meaning to be flippant, but there is so much down there , in the gullet, and whenever you go for any procedure they always look for anything and everything and for most investigations like that they tKe biopsies when down there.

I would imagine you have an appointment brewing to discuss it with Doc's.

As for symptoms, if you are talking about oesophageal cancer, they are hugely varied. It is not seemingly a cancer that likes to be consistent in its presentation. I think it would be fair to say, if you flick back through post, most of us hand some trouble swallowing food, completely out of the blue, in our case one day he was fine, literally the next food getting stuck on the way down.

My guy has no voice change as a symptom at all- unless shouting at the kids(:, or TV LOL. Serves him right eh

Hope this helps, but I bet you are in a right state at the mo, wondering what is going on- fear not we are all 'experienced' in the rollercoaster that keeps on coasting- ask away.

best wishes

Hilts

Thankyou for replying . 
I guess it's not long to wait . I hope they tell me something tomorrow . 
I too get things stuck and I had a barium swallow that shows the biscuit they gave me getting stuck but it eventually went down after fluid . 
I get pain in my chest after drink or any food even jelly and custard . 
I'm constantly clearing my throat and cough and bring white up . 
my doctor thought this was drip ? 
My voice goes after food especially . 
I have a lot of symptoms on the list but my Weight stays the same at the moment . 
where do I look at the posts ? 
Thankyou x

Hi Kodi,

So tomorrow is the big day. Fingers crossed for you. Trust me when I say 'I know exactly how you feel' (:

You must come back on here when you know more.
Good or bad, belive it or not this is the worst bit, the not knowing. Once you know either way then you can start 'processing' the whole thing. For us, once we has a plan, things, emotionally became quite a bit better.

We on this board are 'world experts' in the 'lived experience' - such a cheesy expression (:, one of the smart a.... marketing/advertising thingy's.

As for 'old posts' on the board just go back through the pages at the bottom.

If you want to look at a specific persons 'lived experience' LOL, then tap on their name , in blue on the left and look through replies and followed discussions.

I now think I must appear a world b******* expert!!! I only got on this ride in very late July last year!!. I just flicked through my oldies, from the start and they are pretty emotionally dramatic at the start, looking at them I cannot belive it is the same person! This site and board has been incredibly seriously helpful, informative and has seen me through really.

It is great to be able to spill out your thoughts, emotions and experiences'in private' LOL, - I know millions might read it, but it is the anonymity that sets you free to share your thought freely. Who knows we might all know each other without knowing so- if that makes sense(:

So fingers xxxxx for you. make sure you come back with the news- and yes I am a total nosey Parker (:

My emojis never appear well on here, so I just use the sort of smile

Hilts

Thankyou . 
I'll do my best to get some news tomorrow . 
I'm having it done under sedation though . 
I couldn't imagine swallowing a camera when I can't swallow tablets

Thankyou for caring . It's tomorrow afternoon x

Hi Milly and everyone else reading 

yes i had the full operation but it was no problem at all , i have been posting my progress since my operation last june and i am getting back to normal now with not really any dramas to report , as i have said to others just ask about anything , its always good to hear from someone who is as far down the recovery route as me and how to deal with any hiccups which buy rhe way are also  a side effect of the procedure , anyway ask away and take care.

Regards 

Douglas

Hi Rayb

so pleased you got great news , i know where you are coming from , after all the high activity everything goes all quiet and you are suddenly left without constant medical attemtion and that is all a  bit bewildering , trust me that is a good thing as it allows you ttime to heal properly , good about your weight i am still  a 30 inch waist and 77kg but am good with that now , as usual take care and keep in touch.

regards

Douglas

Douglas

Hi Doug,

So glad to that hear life returning to normal for you. I had my EUS today. Have to say was a little uncomfortable and I got very emotional at the end. Which I felt embarrassed about but not sure many people noticed if any.

They can see the cancer in lining but not too deep which is a good thing. They may have caught it early. They did say they noticed an ulcer at my ogj. But they couldn't determine yet if it was cancer or just an ulcer.

That's all my diagnosis tests done now, I will go back to hospital on Friday. They have said I am allowed bring someone with me for this. I kinda want to go on my own but my friends and family are insisting that I bring someone with me. 

I don't like a bug fuss made. I like to process things and then talk to ones I love with the correct facts and knowledge. I really hate worrying or upsetting them.

Hi Ruth 

You are just at the start of your journey and the next few months will usually  be filled with tests and teratment in pretty quick succession , i have about 30 odd posts going back to last summer about my experiences and even have done reviews on google about my treatment , many of the others who post on here have been through the same scenarios since then  , i started my journey about a year ago so i would expect you to be in the same position as i am today this time next year , i am lucky enough to be able to put a very positive spin on the whole thing but only because of the first class treatment i have recieved from the NHS , trust me a year line passes quickly and i often wonder what the fuss was all about , i am a very happy bunny and have been throughout my journey and hope yours will be the same if i can help at any time with anything you are unsure about just ask , take care and keep in touch

regards

Douglas

Hi Ruth 

You are just at the start of your journey and the next few months will usually  be filled with tests and teratment in pretty quick succession , i have about 30 odd posts going back to last summer about my experiences and even have done reviews on google about my treatment , many of the others who post on here have been through the same scenarios since then  , i started my journey about a year ago so i would expect you to be in the same position as i am today this time next year , i am lucky enough to be able to put a very positive spin on the whole thing but only because of the first class treatment i have recieved from the NHS , trust me a year line passes quickly and i often wonder what the fuss was all about , i am a very happy bunny and have been throughout my journey and hope yours will be the same if i can help at any time with anything you are unsure about just ask , take care and keep in touch

regards

Douglas