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

Thanks Bfg,

Yes slow and steady is the new watch word. He does find it a bit frustrating after making, as his as the surgeon said, a 'miraculous recovery''. 
Now just over 4 weeks post first op and 3 weeks second. 

Keeping the faith

Milly

Hi everyone- just an update,  my Dad is having a rough time of late, he is on the 3rd week of the second round of chemotherapy.  He has no appetite, feels really sick (and has been violently sick but nothing other than water is coming up as he's not been able to really eat anything) and has lost more weight. He is now regularly having extreme hot and cold spells - to the point on the bed/sheets being wet through with sweat and then 10 mins later my Dad is shivering and wrapped in blankets/jumpers etc! - has anyone experienced this?

My Dad's swallowing has again improved (due to the chemotherapy) but unfortunately with no appetite and being sick as soon as he attempts to eat, he isn't really taking any food in. It as though we are taking 1 step forward and 2 back!

Lee

Hi Lee,

I'm very sorry to hear that your dad is having a rough time. I am unable to comment/suggest anything re his symptoms as I haven't experienced these. My husband has had anti sickness meds and injections whilst he has been in hospital (still in on the General Ward now). However I would suggest that you speak to the cancer nurse/oncology to get some advice/help. 

I really hope he improves soon. 

Keeping the faith

Milly 

Hi Lee

All I can suggest is a repeat of Milly's comment.

Speak to the support team / oncologist - there are many different anti-nausea drugs available, some worked for me on the 1st lot of FLOT in December, but didn't on the 2nd round - so was changed to something that did work. 

Cheers

bfg

Thanks to both of you,  Dad has felt a little better today and has gone for a walk. He has this week 'free' from chemotherapy so the break should do good 

Hi y'all.

Been missing in action.......of on hols, back now. Did miss you all tbh. But sun shone all week. Update re husband..... he is now almost 6 months post surgery and about 10 weeks post 4th post op chemo. All he has now is a cough, which the MDT are on. Upped his omeprazole to 80mgs a day, which has helped and he will go for the 'beloved' scope at some point,

Anyhows his fitness was seriously dented by the whole thing- never been a gym bod, but very active. He managed to go to one of those aqua parks obstacle course thingy's - like the krypton factor , but in water. When you have tween kids sometimes you are 'forced into' such things, especially if your wife (me) is a land loving lizard (: He also went swimming , in the North Sea!!! Every day. Took it out of him, but he did it and I am very proud for and of him.

Enjoyed problem free fish n chips and meals with no trouble. Which is probably the first time since pre diagnosis that he has just been able to enjoy food rather than fretting about clogging, vomiting, nausea, max calories, dumping etc etc, a real milestone for him.  and he said it is the first time he has sat down for food without 'dreading it' (:

So, been reading today and I see we have a newbie! jaeofkent- welcome to the club!. Your partners emotions at the mo - I can TOTALLY relate to. I am the 'observer' husband is the victim. He reckons it was worse for me in someways. But know that you both  can ask literally anything on here of your fellow travellers. None of us are medics just 'living the dream' the lived experience- who 'invents' these crackers.

Millie- What a lovely place it was, like turning back the clock, absolutely NO gentrification at all, just as I like it. In the nearest big town,  Shops still shut on market day afternoon and all day on Sunday and almost all shops, even the garden centre/tool shop is independent. Glad your man is now on the ward- what a time of it you've had, but progressing every day. I bet your garden and most of the area's gardens are totally weed free (:

Leechap- I can only repeat what the others have said about the chemo nausea/ vomiting.Husband changed anti sickness stuff at least 3 times.  He found the whole thing a real pain particularly post op. Feeling so sick he really had no appetite and that really bugged him as now the tumour had been nuked and he could swallow stuff, he was not fancying anything due to the sick. He kept the feeding tube in post op and found that the more he shoved into that (water and feed) the less sick he felt.  A real double whammy time, but there will DEFO be a solution here.

Well- hope everyone is enjoying some sun.

keeping the faith (most of the time ) (:

Hilts

Hi Hilts

Great to hear from you and absolutely delighted with the news on the problem free fish n chips and this has now been added to my other milestone of 4 pts of beer.

Last cycle of FLOT is 17th (not that I'm counting the days).

cheers

bfg

Thanks for the info folks

Lee

Hi all, 

Thanks for the welcome and advice, my (first) MDT has been completed and confirmed I've got T2N2 cancer of the esophagus. My understanding is that could've been a lot worse as an initial diagnosis so I'm taking it as (relative) positive. 

I've been referred up to a cancer centre in London for further tests before they discuss a treatment plan.

Which means I'm now an official member of this club no one wants to join! 

Jae 

Hi Jae - you're right to look at it as a positive...a lesson I've learned is always take any positives that you can and every bit of positive news should be celebrated.

Lee

Hi Jae - you're right to look at it as a positive...a lesson I've learned is always take any positives that you can and every bit of positive news should be celebrated.

Lee