Hello Dodd

I'm very sorry to hear that your Dad has recently been given this news. I'm sure that it's been a difficult time for you all. 

Presumably your Dad has been offered some support by the palliative care team or maybe your local hospice service. This is positive as they will be able to help make sure that your Dad stays comfortable and support you as a family as well as him through this. Once you've met with the team they will be able to answer lots of the questions that I'm sure you have. 

If you'd like to talk things through with one of our nurses then you're most welcome to give them a call. They're available Monday to Friday 9am ot 5pm on 0808 800 4040 and I'm sure they will be able to offer some support and advice. 

Best wishes, 
Jenn

Cancer Chat moderator

That is sad for you all. My husband is 73 and had the same diagnosis in October. We were told there is no cure for him. He is having chemotherapy - six two week cycles to start. It has been tough and he has spent two bouts of five days in hospital. I wonder if the doctors think your Father is too frail to cope with the chemo?

We just have to take care of them and make life as enjoyable as possible I suppose.  Best wishes and I hope your Dad is not in pain.

I'm so sorry you have found yourself here. 
 

the Oesophageal Patients Association site is very good for advice on caring for someone, what to exoect, recipes and local support meetings. I had stomach cancer and found them very helpful. 
 

x

Hello Ronnie

Sorry to hear about your husband & hope he is well. Dad isnt in pain from his cancer but has a crushed vertebrae from a recent fall so is more concerned about that. He is pretty much housebound & has carers twice aday & my sister & I take it in turns to call to make sure hes ok.

We just dont know when this thing is going to progress and how will we know if it has spread to other organs. Before we saw the Doctor dad said he didnt wantto know how long he had left - he did ask if she thought he had 2 years& she just looked at him!

Im glad your husband has the option of chemo - its a worrying time X

Hi, I

have oesphogeal cancer with secondary liver that has spread to the stomach, I was told my cancers are to aggressive for an operation or treatment with a maximum life of twelve months, I decided to live the life I have and accepted nothing could be done.

I was placed in palative care and contacted my local hospice for help in obtaining benefits, the hospice have done everything for me, benefits, blue badge support mentally and physically they have been a god send.

Once I was classed as terminal and placed in palative care I was sent to a different oncologist who I visited last week, this meeting with the lady oncologist was as different as chalk and cheese, this Thursday I attend a safety meeting for palative chemotherapy, Friday 31st January I start a 8 cycle 21 day course of infusion and tablet chemo the new oncologist has given me hope that I can prolong my life.

Even before the change of oncologist and the now treatment being offered I was in a much better place from walking through the hospices doors, the hope they gave me just by their attitude with various offers that include counselling, tie chee the list endless for what they have done for me in just over a month, I would recommend you get the hospice involved you will benefit from contacting them, your lives not only your dad's will find the support, guidance you all need.

Hi Alan and dodd, my husband has the same,diagnosed April 2019 and told he had 4 months without treatment, about a year with. He is 44 and we have two girls 8 and 12, heartbreaking but we are not giving up yet, had six months of chemo which shrunk things down. I can private message u some info if u like..

Hello there

My husband has the same diagnosis since October 2019. He is supposed to have six two weekly chemo infusions but they are usually deferred due to low white cell count or anaemia needing a blood transfusion. He couldn't eat before the chemo but now he can eat normally.

What happens when the chemo is finished? Does the tumour come back? Do they offer more chemo?

How is your husband now? 

We don't know what the future holds and there are good days and bad days. I hope you are having some good days.

best wishes

Ronnie

Hi

Sorry to hear your husband is also fighting this awful thing, my husband had 6 months of chemo and then a scan which showed the main tumor had shrunk down (and he could eat again) but unfortunately there were new tumors growing in his liver.  So he started a new regime of treatment but has been getting terrible stomach pains over the last few weeks.  Today he was admitted to hospital and an xray has found a enlarged small intestine, they have said it may be caused by the cancer spreading into that area.  So we are waiting for a CT scan to know more, feeling pretty devastated as we had hope for this new treatment, will know more tomorrow.   I hope the chemo works well for your husband, do you know if his has travelled to the liver as well?

Hi there

Wondering how things are for your family now? Did you say you are in New Zealand? My husband's scan showed that the tumour has shrunk and there is no spread. His white cell count again was too low for chemo so he is having a three month break from chemo to try to boost his immune system. He is pleased and his taste is starting to come back but it is worrying to have no treatment plans. He still has to have his PICC line flushed weekly.

Hearing so much about this virus and how those with health problems are vulnerable makes me feel afraid to go out. We were planning a weekend away once chemo finished but now feels too risky. 

Best wishes

Ronnie