2005 hubby had surgery to correct abdominal aortic aneurysm. Two years recouperation, then diagnosed oesophageal cancer (where meets stomach) in 2009. At first had pre-op chemo only to be told one week before surgery that tests showed his heart wouldn't withstand it. So (only other option) January 2010 started intensive inpatient course (24 hrs a day) of combined chemo/radio. Gastroscopy July 2nd showed done well. He had a really positive attitude. Then July 4 collapsed with what was thought to be a mini-stroke. He lost use of both legs and weakness one hand/arm; couldn't do anything for himself & in hospital 8 miserable weeks. Eventually told condition called 'Functional Weakenss' or Conversion Disorder which can come on with trauma (even patients who have hard birth experiences or post traumatic stress). He went into a black hole and it's been a long, hard fight back to normality.
Now, August 2011 he's again having almost daily problems with food going down/coming back up. Even sips of water can produce copious amounts of white frothy phlegm and extreme pain in chest around where the cancer was..
Have reported update to oncologist who said he'd order camera-down-throat jobbie but being NHS am petrified it will take too long. I'm trying to reassure poor hubby but am so very worried myself.
While we have faith in oncologist he cannot give us any stats on survival without the surgery.
