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,

it,s sad to hear about your loss especially after your mum going through the operation i know its difficult to accept your loss especially when you read posts like mine telling others it will all be fine , god bless you and take care of yourslef and your family.

Hi Scott - the GA messes the body around no end - even my missus who was only out for an hour a couple of weeks back took a few days to get over it.  I don't know whether he is on a liquid diet yet, but when he is all of the water that will be drunk should help.

cheers

bfg

Hi hopingforhope - you already know the answer to this one.  All of the current testing regimes are to see if your mum is suitable for surgery.  If she is, then the surgery is long at between 6 - 10 hours and involves deflating one of the lungs. 

There is a fitness test prior to ensure the heart can withstand the surgery and a significant risk of pneumonia afterwards.

The majority of the recovery from the op is in the 6 months after with incremental improvements for another 6 months after that.

I wouldn't like to pre-judge the MDT team, but I would say that it would be a factor in determining suitability for surgery assuming everything else is ok.

Thank you for this - didn't know any of this info yet so I'm feeling more prepared and it'll help me have the conversations with her

Hi BFG

I know - but day after day sitting here in hospital is soul destroying. I actually woke up crying this morning - never happened before.   Having a bad day - but I'll pick myself up again. 9 weeks today since I came in - the first just over 7 are a bit of a blur in ICU, but on the ward the days are so long!! 
 

I know I'll get there - it's because I feel so much better that I'm bored!!

Andi xx

Hi Andi - sending big virtual hugs your way and from a 6' 8", 18st, bfg - it'll give you a crick in your neck just thinking about it!

And you will get there - I've often been told that I go really quiet when I'm not feeling right, so the fact you are grumpy and bored and can't wait to get out of there is massive positive.  I even told the nurses that, nothing personal, but I never want to see you again! (Of course, I then went on to meet one of the them whilst doing the pcr testing during my final FLOT cycle).

cheers

bfg

Hi BFG

6' 8 " - at 5' 3" I'd need a ladder -but would manage to give you a hug - I still have the final chemo to get through - probably next year now!!  So want to go home 

Andi x

Hi Lee, 

Fear not, leaks are fairly common- I am assuming 'around the join' , quite fixable too i belive. It really is as BFG says 2 steps forward, some back n all. All the band of brothers have had some  issues along the way.

They will heal.

Keep keeping that faith.x

Hilts

Hi, 

As BFG said, I think you know the answer to this (: and lungs have to be 'match fit' to go through op if offered.

HOWEVER- I know what is going through her mind!! On more than several fronts (: I have 'dabbled' in the old 'baccy' over the years. Why? - because I enjoyed it ! , no doubt she does too.I grew up with nearly all of my relatives smoking. Walking through most of their houses was like cutting cheese.......My Nana and her sister used to sit with their packets of Navy cut, poppy tea and cards all afternoon (: both lived to mid 90's, but it really is luck of the draw.

It is a very personal choice for your MAm, to give up will help her chest, but will it drive her nuts. I know what it is like trying to get other people to do stuff they don't want too!!! and I know how I react if people try and tell me to do something I don't want to......it ain't pretty x

Most won't agree with my take on it, but she is old and wise enough to know what needs to be balanced.

Keep that faith

Hilts

Thanks Hilts 

very wise words, it's been an ongoing battle asking her to reconsider the fags! 

hope everyone is doing well today, these cold and long nights are not helping the mood in our house! 
 

Hello one and all.

I hope you can help. 

Our mum was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus - and was treated with 5 weeks of radiotherapy/chemo. At the youthful age of 80, she has recovered remarkably well. It had not spread anywhere. She was/is remarkably lucky, but we do not know how successful the treatment has been. 

She has a peg feeding tube but is on a daily calorie deficit and is desperate to start eating again.

BUT. 

She is producing vast quantities of mucus that appears to start for no reason and leaves her feeling drained and dehydrated.  The mucus is clear and she says it feels as if she is wrenching/colic.  We think it is the oesophagus reacting to food passing through and the muscles being used. When it finishes she is OK - just a lot of burping.

As you can all appreciate taking pain relief is another feeding process - and she isn't in pain unless she is bringing up this mucus. 

Does anyone have any insight/suggestions as to what this might be and how we can help her to manage the symptoms so she think about eating again? 

Thanks in advance. 

Hello one and all.

I hope you can help. 

Our mum was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the oesophagus - and was treated with 5 weeks of radiotherapy/chemo. At the youthful age of 80, she has recovered remarkably well. It had not spread anywhere. She was/is remarkably lucky, but we do not know how successful the treatment has been. 

She has a peg feeding tube but is on a daily calorie deficit and is desperate to start eating again.

BUT. 

She is producing vast quantities of mucus that appears to start for no reason and leaves her feeling drained and dehydrated.  The mucus is clear and she says it feels as if she is wrenching/colic.  We think it is the oesophagus reacting to food passing through and the muscles being used. When it finishes she is OK - just a lot of burping.

As you can all appreciate taking pain relief is another feeding process - and she isn't in pain unless she is bringing up this mucus. 

Does anyone have any insight/suggestions as to what this might be and how we can help her to manage the symptoms so she think about eating again? 

Thanks in advance. 

Hi Dancing girl.

Glad to hear your Mam is trooping along.

Squamous cell- I don't know much about that, BUT mucus- yep a little (:

The body ' kindly' produces it to clear stuff it doesn't like/want. It is kind of a 'protective thing'. She has had a lot of cell murder going on down there and a devil a lot of irritation from the treatments-  A total pain in the butt nonetheless!
As with all of us on here, little steps, some forward and quite a few backward are order of the day!
You say she is being tube fed. So that at least takes the 'pressure' off eating. Lovely stuff it is !!
All I can suggest is to contact your MDT  'team' . They will know your mother's case. How long post treatment she is and how long the body being cross takes to improve.

Coughing up loads of gunge will be painful ,distressing and exhausting,but save trying to get painkillers in orally ask for liquid to go in tube.

Also , as for eating and drinking, a little of what she fancies n'all, but pressure is much reduced now that PEG is in.

Sorry, not to be more helpful, but defo get on to the MDT.

Best wishes

keep that faithHilts 

Hilts