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

Ray,

you are nipping at my heels. I feel more "sickly" too this time around - especially when it came to eating, but that wore off after a week after the cycle- my fingers tingle too, and sometimes my right foot decides to go off somewhere on it's own adventure (at size 14, I'm sure it's out there scaring old ladies).

Milly - they are ultra cautious about the chest draining.  My other half (which is another novel in itself) wouldn't be let out of hospital too, until the drain stopped draining - very frustrating.

Lee - great news about the bbq chicken.  My surgeon is very much of the opinion that improvement in eating can tell you more on how things are working than any scan - it was following my 2nd cycle 1st time around that eating improved.

Hilts - I read about this on another forum.  It's not uncommon and straightforward - but I know what you mean.  The last time we all had an endoscopy, it didn't turn out that well - but better to know and when his cough stops, he can drink more beer!

Keeping the faith, really!

I definitely feel his nerveousness too ! I have an endoscopy @ 1130am this morning (am in the Uber en route now!) ... it's just a box ticking exercise this time of a pre treatment biopsy to be able to join a clinical trial. But, like you and BFG say, the last time I had one - the experience and memories associated weren't great, so a bit nerveous !

Starting my FLOT-A next week, excited to get underway and start nuking it finally (as odd as that probably sounds!).

Thanks all for your great updates too, is super helpful not riding the roller coaster solo !

I'm sure your Husband's procedure will be fine, he sounds like he's doing so well through it, don't worry !

Hi y'all.

That the good thing about being on here. We all 'get it' the ups , downs and everything in between.

i am reassured by the fact that it is not regarded by team as 'urgent'.

I wonder how much of it is 'one experiment too far' LOL. He has been told to eat smaller meals and take it easy, but nah, he eats pretty much like he used to and drink grrrr. But we"'k see.

Surgeons think it is highly unlikely to be anything' dodgy'.

As for the chest drains. I remember them being ULTRA fussy with his. It was the last thing to go. They won't take it out until it is almost draining nothing at all. When you see the size on the bucket, it kinda gives an indication of how much they are expecting!
Off on hols tonight, no packing done....... the sun better shine on the east coast. Apparently, it is 50% drier than the west coast , so fingers x. I think I'll get 'edited' if I say where, but never been to this part of Blighty before so looking forward. At least I am away from work!

take care all,

sort of - keeping the faith

hilts.

Hope you guys have a wonderful holiday !

Hi Hilts 

Have a wonderful holiday and I hope you have fab weather- it's looking good! 

Keeping the faith - even my friend is now using this too!

Milly

Thanx.

Will try. We live probably in the most 'inland'place in England and it is forecasting 23 deg ! East coast 15!

NO RAin in the forecast- or so it appears. I grew up in the 'west of Britain' and rain was mostly guaranteed. Rust rather than tan LOL

Ah yes Keeping the faith- it is VERY nostalgic for me. I think it originated in a 'northern soul' club land- Wigan casino. Have this old pic on the wall, one of those montage-y things. Of us lot circ. 1982 , all on a scooter run to the coast, dressed up to the 9's in full gear. Us girls thinking we were sooooo cool, on the back of these machines that we were way to young to drive !!!!! The Lads in the crew, just about old enough ! Funny I don't remember the rain back then LOL.

As ever 

Keeping the faith

Hilts

I'll probably end up posting while we are away!!!!! I'll miss y'all too much - ahhh

Hi Hilts,

You've made me smile and we also live in the most inland location furthest from the sea!

We used to go to  Sutton on Sea as kids. My dad used to 'pack' the sun in a round tin and take it with us lol.

Have a drink and an ice cream for us!

Keeping the faith (have to do this)

Milly

Living in stapleford,  Nottingham. ..that was ppresty central in the UK.. many holidays in skeggy before we went abroad...

OMG Millie ,

THAT IS WHERE WE ARE GOING!!!!!. Talk about small world !
We used to go to Norfolk on hols, but thought Let's go somewhere we have never been and know nothing about- so booked. Never heard of the place, not surprising as I originate from completely the other side of Britain (Port Talbot- where even the pigeons glow LOL) and of course I've heard of Skeggy. Like Barry Island and Great Yarmouth- I love them both as they are un- gentrified , and have all the brilliant things that the well heeled love to hate - their loss in my view.(:

We now live / work in Oxford so I think it is very far inland compared to Port Talbot.

OMG- the next thing will be that we either all know each other, either through friends of friends or we are all related!!!! Nothing surprises me anymore LOL

Keeping the faith (:

Hilts

Lol Hilts,

That's uncanny. We went in September last year before the shock diagnosis - no symptoms then! He is still in step down and will be over the weekend.
 

Its  a small place with a big beach! Great for rounders or cricket. Last year we stayed in a house called Twenty just a short walk from the sea front. There is a cafe on the corner and I'm sure you'll find the pubs lol. Pack the sun and have a lovely time. Skeggy isn't far away if you fancy a day out somewhere a bit bigger.

We love Oxford - Sutty as we call it isn't anything like that but it does have its own charm somehow for me anyway. A big group of us used to go and I remember us all doing the Ministry of Funny Walks along the prom! Happy days.

Keeping the faith  and nice to talk about a different journey. 
 

Milly

Lol Hilts,

That's uncanny. We went in September last year before the shock diagnosis - no symptoms then! He is still in step down and will be over the weekend.
 

Its  a small place with a big beach! Great for rounders or cricket. Last year we stayed in a house called Twenty just a short walk from the sea front. There is a cafe on the corner and I'm sure you'll find the pubs lol. Pack the sun and have a lovely time. Skeggy isn't far away if you fancy a day out somewhere a bit bigger.

We love Oxford - Sutty as we call it isn't anything like that but it does have its own charm somehow for me anyway. A big group of us used to go and I remember us all doing the Ministry of Funny Walks along the prom! Happy days.

Keeping the faith  and nice to talk about a different journey. 
 

Milly