Cancer Research UK main site

Cancer of the esophagus

Nade88
Offline

So today is the day the wait was over. We were all given the devastating news that grandads cancer is terminal, it has spread to his liver and kidneys with a prognosis of 6-9 months based by statistics.

Doctor has said chemotherapy is not an option as it will make him very sick and won't make a difference to his cancer.

really don't know how to deal with this news and how to best support my grandad and try to make this easier for him.

thank you

sinead

  • Offline
    Hi, my grandad had this. He was a great man i still think of him all the time and i think cherishing the time and making the most of him was what helped us through and taking one day at a time xx
  • Offline in reply to leabea

    Hi,

    thank you for your kind words if you don't mind me asking how long did your grandad survive after being diagnosed, still trying to get my head around it all and the fact that no treatment is an option to him.

    sorry for your loss xx

  • Offline in reply to Nade88
    They didnt catch it until pretty late with my grandad he only had about 3 months i think. This was years ago but i remember it was a really hard time and you feel so helpless theres nothing i can say to make you feel better but i am here if u ever need a chat hun i still remember laughing and joking with him at the end and i think that made him feel easier too...hopefully xx
  • Offline

     

    Hi Sinead - sorry to hear about your news. I have the same condition and lost my Mum and Grandad to Cancer. Try not to put too much faith in the dates given, they are rarely little better than educated guesses based on average figures. Don't put off for a few weeks saying anything to your Grandad that you need to say, then again don't assume he won't be around at Christmas as he may surprise you. The biggest improvement over the years has been in palliative care and particularly pain relief so try not to worry about that side of things. Don't hesitate to come onto the forum to ask any questions - I've been lucky enough to get some great moral support and practical advice on here over the past 18 months. Good Luck! Dave

  • Offline in reply to davek

    Hi dave,

    thank you for your message, sorry to hear you are suffering with this awful cancer too and the loss of your mum and grandad.

    i spoke with my grandad this morning he is currently still managing to eat softer foods and luckily he has no other symptoms at the moment so I'm trying to be hopeful that that's a good sign and he will be with us longer than the Drs expect him to be.

    he is 86 years old so has had a pretty damn good life but no1 is ready to let him go anywhere anytime soon.

    His CT scan showed that he has 4 lumps on his liver and 2 in his kidneys this all seems so scary and can't cope with the news. 

    Is the fact that he is still being able to eat a good sign?

    Dr is booking him in next week to have a stent fitted they said this is the best and only option to improve the quality of life he has remaining.

    Thank you

    Sinead

  • Offline in reply to leabea

    Thank you Leabea,

    think its just going to take time to register the news and to accept there's no light at the end of the tunnel.

    im trying to be strong for him as seeing me upset is just upsetting him.

    xx

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.