Newly diagnosed with oesophageal cancer and the Fear

Hi I was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer last month and I have had a laparoscopy and having an endoscopic ultrasound tomorrow. I wondered if anyone has any ideas how I can help the absolute overwhelming fear that I am experiencing. I am having really bad dreams and hardly sleeping. The smallest mention of cancer on TV sends me into a panic and I am so worried about upsetting my wife and 20 year old son. It seems to never leave my thoughts. 

Parents
  • Hi I am having the same procedure on Wednesday I have found it doesn't matter what anybody says the fear is constantly with you ,I am the same ,I don't switch off at night neither.I think my fear is to find out what stage i am at.Hope you find something to help you .

  • Its all constant fear. I know its not happening to me, but my son, but its constant fear as to what theyre going to say. My son will be told the stage soon as well but hasn't got appointment through yet. Keep googling what I know so far about his tumour size and no spread etc to try and predict - it's driving me mad!

  • Hi Karen I know it’s very difficult but try not to google anything because the news will be the news for your son’s individual case and google keeps chucking other topics at you and so you read that as well. It seems that the Doctors and Nurses don’t tell you enough but too much information just becomes overwhelming. All this medical invasion into our lives is so alien that it stops us from thinking about anything else. One step at a time. I thought I would never handle how sick I felt on Thursday but I’m still here and going out to watch a football match in an hour. Little victories are all we can judge this by at the moment. I can’t imagine how I would feel if my wife or son were going through this. Sometimes just being there is all that matters. 

  • Thanks, yes I know youre right. Just want to know the stage that they say it is, and the date chemo will start at last. I have wished many times that I could have it instead of my son - that's the problem with the people who love the ones with the disease, you just don't want to see them going through this & want to take it away..

    You are managing great obviously, still getting out when you can and taking it as it comes day by day till you reach the end of this unexpected journey. Imagine looking back on this in the future and you'll wonder how you got through but were all stronger than we realise.  

  • Sorry 'Boxbrain0'  I meant to ask, after all your tests and then being referred to oncologist did you have to go see them and have a discussion then go away and wait for any other appointments prior to chemo starting? 

Reply Children