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 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 

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

Thank you Karen and RB xxx

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 

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. 

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?  

Hello all. My wife had her CT scan on Tuesday, but the report didn’t make it to submission in time for today’s review meeting. We will have another seven days to wait for the diagnosis and plan.

She’s doing ok, but can only have liquids as any pieces of food won’t go past.

The initial shock hit me the hardest, but after a week at work, I’m more settled and calmer now.

I’ve been very impressed with the NHS. They are an amazing team and although we have another week to wait, we understand that they are doing their very best with the resources they have.

I hope everyone has a nice weekend, and you all take care x

Alex

I really hope everything works out okay for your wife Alex - stay strong x

Alex prior to my husband being diagnosed (20 yrs ago) he couldn’t swallow anything of any bulk only soft food and even that was hard- he had the operation and apart from about 4 dilation ops over a couple of years ( due to scar tissue) he’s fine. He lost a lot of weight and has never really regained what he was. He was told to eat little and often ( he couldn’t get use to that so tends to stick to 3 meals a day but much smaller portions than he use to have). Do try and stay positive since his original diagnosis my husband has seen our children married and enjoyed 6 grandchildren- something we didn’t think would happen all those years ago.

Send all the best to you and your wife x

Hi Alex, yes the waiting isn't good but somehow the days go by. I'm glad you're feeling more settled- what else can you do?! I did the wrong thing when my son was diagnosed - I barely got out of bed for 4 days and ate 1 banana and a kitkat in that time. I couldn't stand the not knowing what it all meant and what might happen. We as a family got used to the tests, the waiting for results etc. I always felt awful that my son couldn't even enjoy food anymore. Although, even when they told us the tumour was blocking his oesophagus with just a tiny gap for liquids (which often also came back up as well) there were times when he did manage mash with primula cheese spread mixed in, and even potato and leek soup somehow. At the time it can feel like that's how they will be for good, but there is definitely light at the end of the tunnel (we are not even at the end of the tunnel yet as he has the other 4 FLOT to go) he is 4 weeks after the op now and recovering, eating more or less normally. So good luck for scan results.x

Hi Alex, yes the waiting isn't good but somehow the days go by. I'm glad you're feeling more settled- what else can you do?! I did the wrong thing when my son was diagnosed - I barely got out of bed for 4 days and ate 1 banana and a kitkat in that time. I couldn't stand the not knowing what it all meant and what might happen. We as a family got used to the tests, the waiting for results etc. I always felt awful that my son couldn't even enjoy food anymore. Although, even when they told us the tumour was blocking his oesophagus with just a tiny gap for liquids (which often also came back up as well) there were times when he did manage mash with primula cheese spread mixed in, and even potato and leek soup somehow. At the time it can feel like that's how they will be for good, but there is definitely light at the end of the tunnel (we are not even at the end of the tunnel yet as he has the other 4 FLOT to go) he is 4 weeks after the op now and recovering, eating more or less normally. So good luck for scan results.x