My Husband Peter of 38 years has oesphageal cancer. he is 67 we both retired in
August 2012 and planned to enjoy life free of work at last, doing the things we
had dreamed of.
We have two lovely daughters both happy in their relationships and homes, and
3 gorgeous grandchildren
TIMELINE..................................
July 2012 Peter retired, I retired in Augus,t and we had BIG plans for fun and sun
16.10.2012 My Sister in Laws Birthday we went out to lunch no problem lovely
meal and no hint of the lurking beast.
24.10.2012 Our daughter and her partner were going to America on holiday so we went out for a send off dinner, Peter couldn,t swallow his meat .
31.10.2012 - 07.11.2012 Peter and I took our 3 grandchildren on holiday
, he continued to have trouble swallowing he stuck to soft foods and we agreed
he would see GP as soon as we got home.
13.11.2012 saw GP he said he would organise tests
15.11.2012 Bloods
22.11.2012 Barium Swallow Can only manage mashed foods
26 11 2012 Gastroscopy we were told it is cancer a large tumour almost
blocking the oesophagus.
29.11.2012 CT Scan
Saw Gp and requested to be refered to The Royal Marsden Hospital for all tests and treatment/ care. we dont live near it but considerd the journeys would be worth it to try for the best possible outcome
12.12.2012 PET Scan done at local hospital
14.12.2012 Initial consultation at TRM with Proffessor Cunningham based on the limited tests to date StageT3 N0 we are very optimistic signed up for clinincal trial plan discussed chemx3 op chemo x3.
more staging and fitness tests arranged bit difficult as Christmas looming.
24.12.2012 MUGA Scan and Lung Function Test. Very soft pureed foods now. Peters ability to swallow changing daily cannot sleep lying down. coughing up mucous. bringing back food /drink that hasnt gone down.but we are ticking off the days to chemo scheduled for 09.01.2013 when we believe the tumour will start to shrink and swallowing will get easier.
01.01.2013 Renal Function Test Peter had a temperature this morning didnt feel at all well as we traveld to TRM but some calpol soon had him feeling better, we stayed in london for the night as he has an early appointment tomorrow. but during the night he became more unwell temperature rapid breathing/pulse vomiting.
02.01.2013 Ultra sound endoscopy performed but Peter had developed aspriation pneumonia he deteriorated fast post op and was admitted to The Royal Marsden Hospital on oxygen nil by mouth on IV feeding and antibiotics the tumour now T3 N0/1 has blocked totaly his oesophagus.he has to spit up his saliva as it doesnt go anywhere just fills up his oesophagus then he brings it back up every couple of hours.but his care is excelent and we remain optimistic
The plan is PEG or Stent when stable enough sadly chemo will be delayed, he so nearly made it but has to be match fit for chemo hence delay. Peter has remained in hospital fighting pneumonia nil by mouth but feeling and looking better daily. his care is excelent
07.01.2013 A Stent has been put in today can have sips of water no more
choking it is so much better allready
08.01.2013 He feels sick sore bloated etc but happy not to be bringing up the
mucous is having another PET scan today as previous images are not clear enough to inform plan.
09.01.2013 Feels a lot better today he has been in hospital a week today has
lost over a stone in weight and his teeth no longer fit but he is cheerful and
hoping to soon be fit to start chemo, has been moved to a single room so he can
have more rest . I have returned home for a couple of nights to prepare for when
he can come home. we are optimistic that he is now back on track.
10.01.2013 PET scan has shown that the cancer has spread outside the oesophagus
and is inoperable so will start palliative chemo we will have a meeting with his
team tomorrow to discuss what will happen next
11.01.2013 Peter will have a hearing test and then start 3 cycles of chemo next week with the aim of shrinking the tumour if it shrinks the stent will be removed. so yipee I am taking him home , fatten him up make him strong again and we are going to live life and enjoy what ever we can do without the threat of major surgery hanging over him
.12.01.2013 We are home, arm and cosy, cooking his favourites albeit mashed and soft , family visiting its like Christmas.
9pm just dropped him off at the pub for a pint and a game of snooker with his mates. I will not let this cancer define our lifes it can bloodywell shrink into a corner and stay there.
