Hi. The fear is understandable of course. Have you had any treatment yet? My son was diagnosed oesophageal cancer yesterday so we are all still in shock. Hes 42. None of us can think of anything else. I don't know how to just carry on and do normal things. Are you trying to go on as normal?

Hi 

just joined here 5  mins ago  

I was diagnosed at the beginning of November so I’m a bit further along than you guys. 
it’s not easy at the beginning. Yes, sleepless nights. Some nights I had to get up and went for a walk and a cry at 3-4 o’clock in the morning  I would come out of a hospital appt and just break down in tears once outside. You try and hide it from your loved ones but they just want to help even if they don’t know what to say. 
Focus on fitness, get as fit as you can was stressed to me. 
There are a lot of hoops to jump through and you may feel “ how many more bloody tests / scans before something is done to help” 

I had my first Chemo last Saturday. First couple of days were ok then I went downhill for a few days but today after just 10 days unbelievably I was able to eat proper food 

2 days ago I was struggling with liquid shakes today I’ve had cheese on toast!! 
Don’t think the dietician will believe me. 

Not sure how this forum works but anyone feel free to message me anytime 

Thank you very much for this message. It really helps to have someone talk about their experience. I will try and get as fit as possible and really hope that the eating gets better as it’s beginning to get me down. Seriously thankyou and keep in touch

How is your eating ? I found the Ames powder shakes the best tasting. Make with milk rather than water as this gives you more calories. The smaller more concentrated bottles are horrible. 
Myself and good meaning g:f  fell out a good few times as she’s trying to get at least 3 a day down me and I was really struggling with all the phlegm / foamy stuff that sits in the way. Trying to explain that it’s like attempting to get fluid passed a sieve that has half the holes blocked up. 
you get some down then bring it back up again so you have to trickle another in. Like one step forward and half a step back 

I’ve started drinking smoothies made at home with vanilla whey protein powder to give me more nutrition. It depends on the day sometimes I can handle potato mashed but other days hardly any thing goes down. I could kill for a Big Mac and I wasn’t even a big fan of them before. Thanks for the tip on the shakes

Hi BoxBrain. Thanks so much for replying. You give very good advice - especially re the internet as it sends you round the twist. I will pass your advice on to my son. Yes the feeling of 'Why my son' is unbearable right now & I know my son feels the same obviously. Looking at the symptoms yourself & Mouser have mentioned are just like my son. He can manage liquid nutrition drinks, a bit of mash with cheese spread & butter. And cheesy wotsits.He did manage peanuts somehow if he chews them up well. He also has that frothy phlegm coming up.

Do the dieticians give you help about what to eat for more calories or do you just carry on as you are? I just bought ready made jelly (not zero calorie!) runny honey and a bag of sugar to give to my son so he can add a bit to drinks to increase energy a bit more.

Hi Karen. The dieticians give you lots of advice and will send you samples of shakes etc. pick your favourites and they will then put them on a repeat prescription for you. 
If not on it already go on to full fat milk, I’ve even been mixing it with Jersey milk as I think that’s even creamier.
Crème brulie and panacotta are both loaded with calories. Easy to swallow and not massive portions. I was eating bags of cheese quavers and  those Christmas tubs of Cheeselets as they melt pretty well in the mouth either plain or with some philidelphia spread on. 

Hi guys I haven’t seen a dietitian yet however the macmillan nurses have said that will come soon. I find warm drinks help whilst trying to eat much better than cold ones. I make up a pint of squash with half cold and half hot water and that helps. Tea is often really good. Also weirdly when food builds up and gets stuck bending my head forward can help to dislodge food.