Hi , I’m new to this site but wanted to share my experience of living with oesophageal cancer. I realise that I’m one of the lucky ones in that my cancer was caught relatively early and was therefore operable.
I was diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus in February 2007 and after many tests and two sessions of chemotherapy I underwent an Ivor Lewis operation, which is major surgery to remove the cancer, and lasted around seven hours. I responded well throughout and remained only five days in intensive care before being moved to a general ward and released a week later.
Since then, I’ve continued to do well but suffer from dumping syndrome as a result of the surgery. This is an unpleasant side-effect that causes fatigue, sweating and nausea after eating. Also, I now have to have vitamin B12 injections every three months as my body can no longer process this essential vitamin.
All in all, I feel ok and have remained positive all the way through. I realise I’m extremely lucky and count my blessings every day.
I’ve read so many negative reports about this type of cancer so I felt I had to share something positive for those of you who have, or know someone with, Oesophageal cancer.
All the best
Crystal
Hi Leisha and Sue
I often think of all those that have posted here, particularly our friends from down under in NZ and Australia, Ben and Lou. If you’re looking in we’d like to hear from you. Also, everyone else, it would be good to hear from you, but I understand that it’s also necessary to get on with our lives, which is as it should be.
Leisha, you are always in my thoughts because you are such a giant force behind your man and yet always so helpful to others, whilst still keeping a wonderful sense of humour. I send you great big hugs ((((((((((Leisha))))))) and hope that Ed continues to do really well. Have you got an outfit for that wedding yet?
Sue, I hope all is going well with your husband and that the CyberKnife treatment will be sorted out very soon. You too have fought so hard for various treatments and it shouldn't have to be like that should it? It must have been devastating to have the CyberKnife delayed, so hopefully things will resolve soon.
As for myself, I don’t look into the Mac site quite so often now, although I do have bursts of activity for a day or so. I do still have fatigue, so any energy I have is used in other ways. Like you, we’ve been waving England’s flag and were disappointed with the result, but there’s always the next game. Also, the Canadian Grand Prix was brilliant for the McLaren team. Otherwise, as you say Leisha, I’m still rocking Lol.
Love to All looking in.
Keep Rockin’
Crystal xx
