Hey Ian, 

I noticed you haven't had a reply just yet so I wanted to offer you a very warm welcome to the Cancer Chat forum and let you know your post has been.

I'm sorry to hear you've been diagnosed with oesophageal cancer. A cancer diagnosis can be very scary but you are not alone as many of our members have been on this journey and I'm really glad you've managed to connect with some of them already. As you say in your post, chatting with others who know what you're going through can be very comforting and I hope being a part of our community will give you the support and insight you are seeking at this time.

If you have any questions about your diagnosis or would just like to talk things through with someone then do be sure to give our cancer nurses team a call on 0808 800 4040, Monday - Friday between 9a.m - 5p.m.

We're thinking of you Ian and will have our fingers crossed the PET scan results show the cancer hasn't spread any further.

Kind regards,

Steph, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi Ian 

Am sorry to hear your news and fingers crossed for you.

On Monday my dad (57 years old) was taken into hospital vomiting blood and had black stools.

Has lost weight in the last year and recently found out he has had trouble swallowing.

He had a endoscopy done on Tuesday and a 3cm lesion was found in his oesophagus a biopsy was taken. We are still awaiting the results however he has been referred to mcmillan and got to wait for CT scan to see if has spread.

What we can't understand is if they haven't the results of biopsy yet why has he been referred etc.

They have advised CT scan could take up to 2 weeks.

Do you have any advise etc this has been such a shock to us all xx

Hi Emzi, so sorry to hear about your dad. It is a very similar story to mine apart from the vomiting, although I had my first experience food regurgitation last night, which was unpleasant and painful. I am ringing my team this morning to get advice. I have been given 84 bottles of Forsips high calorie drinks to try and keep my strength up, as this is what they stress to you most, we have to be as fit and strong as possible so they can throw the kitchen sink at us treatment wise . As for the biopsy results, I think they like to gather all the information from the gastroscopy, CT scan and whatever else they may have done, and have the full picture when they sit down to discuss the best route to take with your dad. It is a stressful and worrying time, but they want what's best for us and will do what they consider the best course of action. Tell him to build up his strength as much as possible, it isn't easy, my appetite has diminished greatly so these little bottles of calories are a help. Hope you get some answers soon, love to you all 

Ian x

Hi Ian 

Not sure if my previous reply sent I cant seem to see it? 

How are you feeling today did you contact your team today, must have been a horrible experience.

If you don't mind me asking have you had all your scans etc ? 

I've herd of the forsips drinks I was a carer for the elderly for 10 years, there are quite a few different types. I suppose untill he has been seen by a team he cant get anything like this.

I spoke to my dad today he seems ok and said he is not feeling ill and is going to try and not stress untill he has his scan etc. 

Me and my brother are driving up to see him tomorrow as a suprise can't wait to see him and give him a great big hug.

Love to all back xx 

Hi Emzi, they are doing 2 extra scans, a PET scan and an ultrasound endoscopy. This is because the CT scan showed a couple of spots on a node very close to the stomach. The PET scan will establish if it has moved further via this node . If not, surgery should be available to me, which is the best thing if possible, as it hopefully removes the cancer, but it is a huge 8 hour operation that requires about 6 months recovery time . It is also likely they would blast me with chemo before and after. I am now on a liquid diet as solids are not going down, I just have to make sure I have at least 2000 calories a day. I am fortunate that as well as my wife, my 3 grown up children are all close by, the support is fantastic and also needed. Give your dad a hug and tell him to keep positive and keep his strength up, being able to withstand the stress of such a huge operation requires all your energy. Take care 

Ian x