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. 

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  • 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!

  • Hello Carol1964 

    Thank you for taking time to reply

    He has an appointment this week so will see how that goes. best wishes 

  • Hi. My son only had his 1st chemo last week so I don't know much about that sorry. I hope your hubby can get help with it.x

  • Hi the pins and needles with FLOT chemo is a *** and yesterday I woke up with a numb right hand. I was very worried that it might not go away however it seems to have eased off a bit today. Good luck. The treatment is such a nasty concoction of drugs and has been very emotionally draining due to the nasty side effects. However it does end and helped me to eat normally which is a plus. Hang in there 

  • Hi Karren 

    Thank you for taking time to reply 

    I hope your sons treatment is going as well as possible and he is responding well.

    Fyi

    The chemo side effects are cumulative/ build up so just watch out for it. 

    This is second time around for Hubby and I guess that is why its so bothersome for him 

    It had eased off inbetween times.

    Its just hard watching him go thru it .

    Thanks again for support

    RB

  • Hi Boxbrain0

    Thank you for taking time to reply and sharing your experience with this.

    Hubby is on his second time around of chemo and it seems to be worse than before.

    He has an appt this week with his team and going on past I suspect they will reduce the dose 

    Which hopefully will help .

    Take care of yourself too

    Many thanx RB

  • Thanks for the advice. He's had a rough few days. Had chemo last Monday 31st and was fine up till Thursday and said he felt like he'd been poisoned and slept on & off for almost 2 and a half days. Upset tummy etc. Another 3 to go. Yes its awful seeing someone you love go through it isnt it. :(

  • Hi all. 
    Getting prepped for the “Big Op” on Thursday. 
    obvifeeling apprehensive but this is the way forward. 
    I’ve picked up one of those old people chairs with the electrics on as it may be easier to sleep on once I’m out of hospital. 
    it’s also “Takeaway Week” for me as I’ll be getting fed via a tube for a bit once I’m home. 

    I know it’s bad to eat all that kind of stuff but it helps psychologically. 
    Had chippy Saturday and went out for a curry last night

  • Eat what you want whilst you can !

    Sending positive vibes for Thursday 

  • Well basically they are being poisoned the chemo is toxic eek

    Did the med team give your Son meds for the tummy trouble?

    The fatigue is part of it too

    Depending on the chemo they can get very sensitive to cold too. 

    So gloves

    Does your Son have a Pic line in?

    The temporary tattoo "arm" covers make a great and cheaper and less medicalised way of keeping it covered. 

    We take each day at a time 

    And I get out for a walk as often as possible to have some head space otherwise it is all about cancer...

    Sending positive vibes

    Take care  

  • Sorry to have missed this message Mouser. I thought about you this week more than once while at work of all places, remembering you have the op on 10th. Hope its gone well and I know you won't be up to message us all back yet but let us know how you are doing when u can. Great idea about the chair.

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  • Sorry to have missed this message Mouser. I thought about you this week more than once while at work of all places, remembering you have the op on 10th. Hope its gone well and I know you won't be up to message us all back yet but let us know how you are doing when u can. Great idea about the chair.

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