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

Is it the local Macmillan service that runs the support groups.

Makes sense to me!

Mine was set up by the Upper GI nursing team but there are groups all over the country and macmillan gave me some info on some others near me. 

I will contact my local Macmillan tomorrow and also speak to my upper GI nurses to find out as I think a support group would help my anxiety 

Honestly it really helped so very much as it was good to hear from actual human beings about how they had recovered and are leading relatively normal lives now. One of the chaps there gave me his number and said to call him or meet up anytime. It was incredible but he was out jogging 6 weeks after his operation. Friends often just don’t know what to say and often say the phrases like you need to be positive but but it may be true but when it’s all so new and always on your mind that can be a bit difficult. Hang in there !

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. 

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.

Feeling a lot better now and hoping that it will last until the next cycle. 

Glad you are feeling a bit better.Hope your next session may be a little easier on you.

Sounds bearable I suppose. Glad you are feeling better today. Onwards & upwards!