Esophagus-Gastric Junction cancer

Hello Greg. Sorry to hear your news. I had a total gastrectomy in Aug 15. The first few months after my operation were difficult as I had to learn not only what to eat but also how much. I now eat 6-8 times a day (small portions) this includes meals and snacks. It is a life changing operation but I feel I have now adapted to the situation. I go out for meals and enjoy holidays both over here and abroad. I would suggest that you contact the OPA (Oesophageal Patients Association). I contacted them prior to my operation and they sent me out an information pack which I found invaluable. Can I ask where you are being treated? Have they given you any idea about a treatment plan? Hopefully you will have been given the contact details of a cancer specialist nurse. There is a stomach cancer and an oesophageal forum on this website so it may be an idea to join one of those as you may pick up some information that you find useful. Please get in touch if you think I can help in any way.

Take care.

Donna xx

Hi Donna..

Thank U for your reply.Being treated in Southampton General Hospital and still waiting for treatment plan.Had laboroscopy last week and PET CT scan.So hopefully they have all scans and documents.

Yes I will contact with OPA soon.

Thank you very much.

Take Care,

Greg

Hi Greg. I hope that you get your results soon. The consultant and yourself will then decide on a treatment plan. I found that the period you are in was the most stressful time for me. It was actually a relief once a decision to operate had been made. I tried to stay positive(not always easy) and decided beforehand that the day of my operation was the day that I would start my recovery. I was fortunate in that I did recover although those first few months were difficult as I had to adapt to a totally different way of eating. My dinner plate is now the size of a sandwich plate therefore I always seem to be eating as I now have to graze rather than the traditional 3 meals a day. I joined the stomach cancer group on here so if you need any further advice there is always one of us on there who can relate to you and hopefully offer advice. Keep in touch and let us know how you get on with your results.

Take care

Donna xx

Hi my dad has recently been diagnosed with esophagus cancer and has got to have 3 months of chemo and the an 8 hour opperation and the another 3 months of chemo and I  am scared and worried about what he will look like in the recovery stage of the big opperation and how this will change our lives going forward as I have not  heard of many people who have had this type of cancer and was woundering if anyone could help and give me some advice on what is to come.   

Hi Faye123 , not sure what stage your dad is at currently or his age , im 51 and was diagnosed in feb 2022 with this cancer , i had 4x FLOT Chemo which wasnt nice but wasnt as bad as i thought it was going to be , i was rough for a few days after the treatment ( i had 1 treatment every 2 weeks) then got stronger until the next one. the operation i had was open surgery with my stomach formed into a tube and connected to my esophagus that was left , long recovery and i was tube fed for a few months but 2024 and im here. i never had any post surgery chemo as it was deemed not required by my MD Team. Hope your dads journey goes ok and im here if i can help with any questions