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Newly diagnosed with oesophageal cancer and the Fear

Boxbrain0
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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. 

  • Offline in reply to Rednax

    Hi there. Yes I know how absolutely frightening it is to read online about oesophageal cancer. At the start of this when my son was diagnosed he was dead and buried in my head and I was looking into how to kill myself after he was gone. The consultant couldn't get the endoscope past his tumour so we thought that was it. Just try and go along with it all step by step. Hopefully your wife will have the chemo, surgery then chemo again and it will be gone.x 

  • Offline in reply to Rednax

    Hi Alex

    So glad you are finding our various posts helpful. 

    It really is a shock when you first find out  ....my hubby has had treatment and it has been a roller coaster BUT there is help via CRUk and Macmillan helpline ...and lots of good information on their webpages including for supporting youngsters.

    Dont be shy to ask ...no question to small 

    Sending strength to your wife and you and your daughter

    Kind wishes RB

  • Offline in reply to Rhubarbdragon

    Thank you Karen and RB xxx

  • Offline

    Hi my husband had oesophageal cancer - so I know how you must be feeling but I’m so pleased to say that was 18 years ago and my husband is still with us. Cancer is not the death sentence it once was with advances in medicine and great surgeons it can be cured. I wish you all the very best with your treatment - stay positive 

  • Offline in reply to Nikkib19

    Thank you so much. Finding this post today has been the best thing that's happened all weekend. 

  • Offline in reply to Rednax

    Obviously it’s a shock when you first get that news  and the treatment can be hard- but my husband has seen both our children get married and seen our wonderful grandchildren born/growing up. My go told me soon after my husband was diagnosed- do not go on line to read about it speak to your cancer nurse specialist about any fears/concerns. Stay strong stay positive 

  • Offline in reply to Nikkib19

    Thanks so much for this it really does help. So happy for you and your husband. I have seen many people in a FB oesophagus cancer survivors group who are still here and fine ranging from 6yrs later, 12 years later etc etc to 25 years later. 

  • Offline in reply to Boxbrain0

    Hi Boxbrain0,

    A big thank you for starting this thread. My husband was diagnosed in mid February and I have been following this thread over the months. 
    You are a few weeks ahead of him and it has helped me prepare him for what’s ahead 

    He had his operation on 31st August, so almost four weeks ago. 
    When he came home, all his wounds were infected, even chest drain sites . Some level of pain has been a constant companion.

    His wounds are now clean and healing. He is able to reduce his pain meds. 

    Just a couple of questions:

    He seems to sleep most of the day, were you the same 

    Is the low fibre diet a temporary measure? 

    It’s good to hear you are now pain free and hopeful that it is mentioned somewhere on this thread of someone jogging 6 weeks after surgery. ( Husband is a runner 

  • Offline in reply to Karren

    Hi yes I can walk for miles and so much fitter than before the op. Just need muscle to build up but otherwise ok apart from having a voice that is a cross between Brian Adams and Kermit. 

  • Offline in reply to Boxbrain0

    Thats great - the fitness, not the voice! Though Brian Adams is husky so thats not bad....Kermit, not so good! Did you say they said your voice will go back to normal?  

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