My Dad was diagnosed with terminal cancer of the oesophagus in March. He lives so far away from us I am struggling to deal with everything . He has refused to go to hospital and just wants to be left alone. He’s lost so much weight and barely eating. He’s refused a stent . My step-mum is finding it difficult as he is very aggressive towards her at times (this is new) .
It must be so difficult for your step mum. It sounds like your dad is really scared. The only thing I can suggest is that your step mum doesn't try to nag him to do any thing. I tried to encourage my husband to eat and just got aggravation for it. I have backed off now. Just asking oh have you had some breakfast for eg. But not going on if he says he hasn't. Hope this helps.
I would highly recommend your step mum continue to meet her friends.
Dear All, I was diagnosed with esophageal cancer October 2017 & went through chemo & radiotherapy & finished 1st April 2018 thankfully I am doing pretty well now.
It was stage 3 & had not spread even though they thought I had a second site of cancer but thankfully I didn't after various checks.
Prior to treatment I could not eat, I was choking on food. I started on a food supplement called foodlink complete & it comes in various favours & as it was liquid I could drink very slowly. They are very tasty.
Everyone is different & I hope above will help a little.
Please don't hesitate to let me know if you have any questions that I might be able to help with.
There are some groups. I used an amazing Cancer Centre in Purley & would recommend them. Cancer & the Centre helped change my whole outlook on life & I appreciate every moment however for me I would not want to survive & not be able to live my life fully as I don't have children but again all are different.
Thinking of all of you as I know it is extremely difficult for family & friends. That always made me sad to see carers exhausted whilst looking after someone having chemo. Carers must look after themselves as they need to keep themselves in good health too. Cancer Centres are great for Carers too. It doesn't mean people are just talking about cancer. We laughed about many things & participated in so much.
My husband now has a date for the final staging laparoscopy on the 26th, however is appointment for the results isn't till the 7th of may. Treatment could be another 2 to 3 weeks after that. Is this amount of delay normal? I am quite concerned they are going to miss the maximum 62 day target from diagnosis to first treatment. My husbands cancer has already gone to some lymph nodes.
Symptoms he didn't have a few weeks ago are starting to appear. Such as pain when walking breathlessness and increased difficulty eating.
I feel your pain with all the waiting, my husband was diagnosed on 11th November last year and didn't start treatment until 18th December, this would have been longer but he joined a trial for immunotherapy. The trial has worked quite well, he can almost eat normally again, his cancer has shrunk by about 2 centimetres. He is sceduled for surgery this week.
His was stage 3 with 8 lymph nodes affected, hopefully in a few days it wil all be gone.
Hang in there and keep strong, I know everyone says it and sometimes you really want to hit back with something, we've managed to keep our sense of humour throughout and always looked at it positively.
Hope the treatment starts soon for your husband and it all goes well
My brother visited (first time in 12 years) Dad really appreciates it but his behaviour worsened afterwards. I’m wondering if he has brain mets. My step mum phoned and has gone away to her sisters for a week. Dad has a friend staying with him thankfully, he really should not be alone. It’s hard to find out what really is going on as we’re so far away. Dad isn’t the best at answering his phone.
I’m trying to carry on as normal (we’re going abroad in 2 weeks) but it is really hard.
I wish we were nearer so I could be more involved .
Thank you for your concern
