Our Battle with Oesophageal Cancer

The chemo seems to be working!

2022-11-08T23:31:00Z

After Round 3 Mark had a scan to review progress but we didn't see the Oncologist and receive the results for 6 weeks!! By which time he is now already on Round 5. However, the results were worth waiting for because they are good! They show a &#3...(read more)

Moving on, up....

2022-10-18T23:06:00Z

Just a quick update to say that Round 3, using the injections to boost the white blood cells, days 5-7, has gone by without a single emergency call and we have progressed on to Round 4. M is feeling strong and optimistic. Having the stent has been a ...(read more)

The Next Leg of the Journey

2022-09-25T19:44:00Z

When we returned from our holiday, we had non-stop family visitors for over 2 weeks. Everyone wanted to see M while he was still relatively well and healthy, including his brother from Sydney. There was no time for brooding and plenty of time for day...(read more)

Bouncing back

2022-07-26T18:19:00Z

When M came out of hospital, having had his stent fitted, he was at a very low ebb and the most poorly and weakened he has ever been in his life. How do you bounce back from that? After 7 rounds of aggressive chemo and a determined attitude, he was n...(read more)

The Cancer has progressed....

2022-07-10T19:10:00Z

Finally, a couple of days after the previous update, M found he could no longer swallow anything - liquid or solid. We called the emergency oncology line but their dept was already full so they suggested we should report to A&E. This was a distre...(read more)

Waiting for an eternity....

2022-07-04T17:53:00Z

We are still awaiting the results of the CT scan. Meanwhile, M's temperature spiked again and as it was a Sunday evening, we were told to go immediately to A & E. Once again the anti-sepsis treatment was administered by very slow drip and I e...(read more)

Crisis point

2022-06-30T20:48:00Z

End of June 2022: Things came to a head when M developed a fever again and developed very painful stomach cramps and severe diarrhea that threatened to dehydrate him, especially with the difficulties swallowing water. Again we had to rush...(read more)

There may be trouble ahead.....

2022-06-30T20:28:00Z

May 2022: Cycle 5 and 6 proved more of a struggle, with low-level pain and fatigue setting in and digestive issues getting troublesome. The strength of chemo was dialled back to 80% because of the toxicity, especially the neuropathy ...(read more)

Half-way there....

2022-06-30T20:14:00Z

April 2022 M was a real hero throughout Rounds 1-4. He continued to work 3 days a week for Citizens Advice. Helping others helped him to put things into perspective and gave him a focus away from his own problems. Both of us wo...(read more)

Introduction from Diagnosis to Cycle 1 of chemotherapy

2022-06-30T19:17:00Z

November 2021: It all started with deteriorating acid reflux problems and associated pain and discomfort, with some mild swallowing issues. My husband (M), aged 63, no longer enjoyed pizzas or door-step sandwiches. He was getting a bit fussy an...(read more)