Hi Scrapmum,

Welcome to the forum. I can understand that facing the possibility of another oesophageal cancer diagnosis is deeply unsettling, especially after all you've already been through. 

I hope other Cancer Chat members who have faced similar situations will be along shortly to talk with you and offer support.

The other thing I want to mention is that it's crucial to have open discussions with your medical team about these possibilities. They can provide guidance tailored to your specific situation and help you understand the potential benefits and considerations of each treatment.

If you feel the need to talk things through or seek additional information, our nurses are available on 0808 800 4040, Monday to Friday, from 9am to 5pm.

Best wishes,
Renata, Cancer Chat Moderator

Hi Renata

Thank you for the welcome, although, I do wish I did not have to be welcomed so to speak.

This endless waiting for the phone to ring is doing m head in,, why does it take the path labs so long to get a definitive diagnoses. To say I am scared about this is putting it very, very mildly.  I did think to phone the nurses, but to be honest there is nothing they can tell me. I just need to wait on the path lab diagnosing what if anything is wrong. What is worrying me is that I was put forward for an EMR because they had seen changes in my last biopsy and were going to take it away with another EMR but when they got down there they could not do it because of all the scarring from previous treatments and they extensive biopsies.that have been taken. It is the not knowing that is the worst thing. I can cope with anything if I know what it is but this not knowing is driving me mad.

Hi,

I was diagnosed with OC at Stage 4 in 2013 - inoperable due to the fact that the primary had grown around my aorta … which also meant that radiotherapy was ruled out. 

Since then both targetted and immunotherapy are more widely available. Best talk to your cancer team to discuss the options available for you to choose from. 

Try not to go into panic mode, surgery is just one of the options in treating this disease and is often coupled with chemo to reduce the risk of recurrence.

Good luck!
Dave

Hi Dave

Thank you so much for replying to me. I sort of think I am in panic mode already. I does not help that mostly the only time I get to speak with anyone is when I am in theatre just before they knock me out. I don't know what is happening all I know for sure is that the EMR did not go ahead and that I need to wait on the path lab doing their work and I will get a phone call with the result. It is all getting to me now

Near panic is understandable given your situation. Waiting for biopsy results can feel like months, even when it is weeks. The “worrying changes” may not be cancer, maybe Barrett’s  or something more benign. 

There should be a named cancer nurse available to answer any of your queries and concerns outside your ordinary appointments. His/her name should be on one of your hospital letters. 

I hope your results come soon and that the news is good.

Best wishes
Dave

Hi Dave 

Thank you again for you reply, sorry my name is Anne Marie just dawned on me that I never said so.

I don't have a named nurse, only the surgeons name and I don't want to pester her. I think it is just a case of being patient and wait on the results again. It's funny I am scoped every 12 weeks and I am never really worried about the results s I feel fine but this time for some reason I am scared to death so to speak. Anyway I will just need to wait until I get the phone call to say everything is fine, and that I have worried needlessly. I don't even know why I am worried but this time I am. Thanks again Dave.

Anne Marie