Russells Journey

1 minute read time.

FormerMember

1 May 2011

I would like to share our experiences as i have found a lot of help and comfort from this site......... It is written from my heart.

Wow what a rollercoaster of emotions to find out about Russell's oesophical cancer was such a shock because of inital clear chest x-rays and bloods,although he was having trouble swallowing and eating.

A week later he had the endoscopy after which we were told that this was very very serious and the endoscope couldn't pass a 'mass' at the base of his oesophicus at the top of his stomach,we just felt numb and shattered our world totally blown to pieces.

A couple of weeks ago Russell had a CAT scan and a stent inserted of which has at least made it easier for him to eat and he's even put on weight!! We then found our that the CAT scan had shown spots in his stomach and a enlarged thyroid glad and that he was inoperable.

We went and saw the Oncologist last week and he is sending Russell for a PET scan to double check what's going on in the thyroid area,before he proceeds with the chemo,the waiting is like torture!!

How do you all cope with the rollercoaster of emotions?? I'm handling them as well as i can trying to be strong and carry on,then bang i'm so overcome with sadness and anger.

Would love to hear from anyone going through this.

Thanks love

Emma X

FormerMember over 13 years ago

Hi Emma, so sorry to read Russell's story.

The waiting is absolutely horrendous. I am more than 7 years since diagnosis and have been clear since my treatment, but it doesn't stop me going into panic mode when I'm waiting on test results.

Once you know what you are dealing with and how the docs are going to proceed you will have something to focus on, but it's like being in limbo while waiting.

Your emotions are bound to be all over the place, that's only natural. There's not much advice I can offer on that front as everyone deals with things in their own way. I try to tell myself not to think too much about the possibilities until I know for sure, not an easy thing to do I know!

You will find much support and understanding on this site. Please continue to come on. There is a group for patients with oesophogeal cancer and their carers, it might be an idea to join that where you will get practical advice on that particular type of cancer.

I wish you both all the very best for the future.

Take care, Christine xx
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FormerMember over 13 years ago

I understand about the shock at diagnosis and the roller coaster of emotions . My partner has inoperable cancer of the oesophagu diagnosed last July . So far the biggest problem has been feeling tired all the time but after having read all the advice on this site then tomorrow I'll be doing my best to get him out for a little walk. Best thing you can do is try to stay positive ,not always easy and try to spoil yourself a little every day
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