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 Karren, Very sorry to hear about your Son. It’s all a bit much to deal with however even after just a month the fact that it’s real and the why me feeling gets more bearable. I know it’s difficult but please get him to try to NOT keep looking it up on the internet as this really is frightening and you nearly always get the worst case scenario on there. I had an endoscopic ultrasound this morning and it was fine. I had a laparoscopy 3 weeks ago and this was abit more uncomfortable and sore for a few days but another thing to tick off the list. Take each day at a time. I am a teacher with young adults with learning difficulties and autism so it was difficult to keep working as they are in your face a bit. It’s early days and I am doing as much as possible at the moment whilst I can before Chemotherapy. So yes as normal as possible. Take the scans and tests they will do one by one and make sure he talks to you and his loved ones about it. Please contact me anytime or get him to as it would be good to have someone else who understands the challenges. 
All the very best

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. 

Thanks for the reply. I'll tell my son

Thanks I will tell my son about the warmer drinks

Hi Karren. It’s been a couple of weeks. Just wondered how things are going with your son. Hope all is as well as it can be. Have a good weekend. 

Hello again thanks for asking. I really hope you are OK. Dean has had a CT scan which has showed no sign of cancer elsewhere than God. They say they will also do a PET scan to make totally sure & a laparoscopy. Hes had a heart fitness test and will do a lung fitness test next week. Then it will be chemo, surgery then more chemo. He is bearing up ok and now we have more information he is telling his 16 yr old daughter today. How are things going with you? Have you started chemotherapy?

Hi I’m having chemo in 1-2 weeks time then the dreaded op then chemo afterwards if it’s necessary. I am sat by the sea in Bournemouth and visiting friends we haven’t seen for 20 years. I’m getting out and about as much as I can while I can. 

Hi guys. 
Don’t worry about the Chemo.  I’m currently sat having my 3rd chemo out of the first batch of 4 

I can honestly say it’s worked wonders. I’ve gone from only shakes to being able to eat anything I want. Had chicken fried rice last week. I do get a. Couple of tired days 2-3 days after the chemo but then pick up again. 
Think my op will be mid March 

Hi guys. 
Don’t worry about the Chemo.  I’m currently sat having my 3rd chemo out of the first batch of 4 

I can honestly say it’s worked wonders. I’ve gone from only shakes to being able to eat anything I want. Had chicken fried rice last week. I do get a. Couple of tired days 2-3 days after the chemo but then pick up again. 
Think my op will be mid March 

Thats fabulous! Are you also having op then more chemo if needed?

Sorry! I see you say you expect the op about mid March.

Karen. They’ve said 4 sessions of chemo 4-6 week recovery then the op followed by  6 week recovery from that and then another 4 sessions of chemo to make sure they get any microscopic bits of tumour. 

Sounds like what they've said to my son. Light at the end of the tunnel then!

Hi Mouser. Off to Physio appointment today. Starting Chemo on Monday and wondered how it is going with you. Hope all is ok 

Hi Boxbrain0 

Glad you starting Chemo, it has really worked wonders for me. It actually feels like tumour has gone ! Had my 4th session on Saturday so I’ve had a bit of a bed / settee day today. I’ll start to pick up again from tomorrow. Heard it’s a load more appts next before I get an operation date. Obviously I’m now worried about the next step but we all do that don’t we ? 

Hope your chemo is going well

Hi Mouser. How are you doing after the chemo?

My sons been given his chemo plan now its 4 lots of FLOT for 8 weeks then a 4 to 6 week break then surgery then probably 4 more FLOT. He's nervous obviously as he's read about FLOT and how tough it can be. Is that what you had?

Hi Karen. Had my first chemo on Monday and other than sitting around it was fine. Tuesday was ok until the evening when I started to feel a little queasy. Wednesday was like being car sick and the night was very nauseous. Yesterday however was difficult as I really felt poisoned and had a bad tummy ache. Today I feel more human and hopefully will be able to eat again as yesterday was a no no. I hope all will get better each day until they blast me again. 

I am happy you have started your chemotherapy although the side effects are not very nice.I have to go on Wednesday for my staging and then know my treatment plan.