Hi Liz,

It’s good to hear from you again and I hope that you’re feeling good and your recovery is going well.  It seems that you’ve been travelling a fair bit and also brought some of that torrential rain back with you Lol.  Are these travels a series of holidays?  I hope all is going very well, have fun and get plenty of r & r.  It would be nice to see some pics from your travels if possible.

Take good care.  Happy Hols and safe journeys. 

Crystal xx

Hi Crystal....

Yes i remember us chatting in the old forum...

Well george saw his surgeon and they did a catscan and they stretched his oesophagus ...this is his third  time he is swallowing better but the cough is just not easing at all ..Once he starts coughing he cant stop for ages and brings up clear fluid...He just dreads meal times it also starts when he has a drink too...Anyone have any ideas??? please!!!

Hugs Cally x

Hi Cally

Tell George not to despair; I was plagued relentlessly by the same problems for two years, especially the coughing, I had all sorts of tests carried out to no avail, I had my own theory that acid was rising from my stomach causing the cough so I started taking Zantac (over the counter drug) and I had a dramatic improvement in my quality of life, other sufferers here have also tried it and have reported good results, I now get the medication from my doctor on prescription. I used to love my food but after the operation I hated it, every mealtime was such a chore because of another big problem, producing too much sticky mucus, which was exasperated through eating causing me to choke, and feel sick, whilst constantly forcing me to clear my throat, I still suffer badly from a runny nose when trying to eat. I have another theory that bruising to the vagus nerve and or damage to the throat through the insertion of the ventilator may be a contributing factor to my symptoms.

My research has shown that the vagus nerve controls things such as apatite and mood and there is much research on vagul nerve stimulation and depression, great care is exercised during the operation not to sever this nerve by moving it out of the way. I had a good tip over coughing and choking from a colleague who had whooping cough as a child and that is to breath deep through the nose and try to relax, and  to date this works quite well for me. The problem is if you associate meal times with the above problems you are stressed before you start to eat which is not  a good pre disposition to a relaxed meal. 

Things may feel grim at the moment but your quality of life will hopefully improve with time, I have just returned from a trip to Barbados and this is something I thought I would never be able to do with regard to my gastric problems, I was happily proved wrong and had a wonderful time. For me providing the cancer does not return my associated problems are a small price to pay.

Keep up the good fight,

Steve      

Hi All

Cant seem to get to grips with this forum now , all over the place ? Anyway just to hopefully brighten up the thread a little ? I have given my story before but cant seem to find it now ? I was diagonised with this cancer just over two years ago ! it had spread to my soamach , and i could not be opperated on , so i was referred to an oncologist for just chemo and radio treatment . Without goung into it too much , at the end of treatment , a scan showed there was nothing there , at all ?? I asked if an opperation was now on the cards ? but the consultant just said  WHY !!  there is nothing to opperate on ?

I have just had my 4th clear scan , so still keeping fingers crossed , and i carry a print of a letter sent to my own GP , that says  cancer dissapeared although it was advanced at the time . Hope this gives a little hope to others ? all is not lost !!

Cheers

Mike

Dear All

It has been a good 6 months since I last posted here but I was drawn back to the site by the devastatingly sad news that one of my original site carer/friend's husband had passed away. 

Overwhelmingly, our sad and bad news is so often all that we are able to share with other members, so, I just felt the need to give you a little ray of sunshine amongst the clouds that often come our way on this OC forum. 

David, my man (51 years), was operated on 13 months ago in Germany (he is in the Army) - 28 lymph nodes were removed.  When he went to have his radiation tatoos, the radiologist gave him the vile news that he could not have the tatoos or treatment as his new scan revealed the cancer was already in his lungs (10 mets) and had been so (but missed) on original OC diagnosis.  QUICK REPATRIATION to England for palliative chemo, which had to be stopped early as it nearly killed him (he was 95kgs pre-op - post-chemo he was 59kgs).  Consultants (and life insurance pay-out) gave him 1 year (if that). So, chemo stopped and a little bit of strength gained, we then made a 'Fu*k It' list (our take on the bucket list), stuck in on the wall and have proceeded to tick each item off as we achieved it (kind thanks to Aviva for the terminal diagnosis insurance pay-out, though it felt awful when they did).  Here is a short synopsis of jobs done:

Material things (totally unimportant BUT boy has he had fun with them all the same):  Bright Red Audi Convertable, New Harley Davidson

Exciting things done: Great White Shark cage diving, parachuting, worlds biggest bungee jump, ostrich riding, motorcross riding, deep sea fishing, horseriding, skiing, canoe-camping, climbing/hiking (Helvelen - spelling?).

Trips:  South Africa, Egypt (twice), Paris (total love-in), Riding Harleys across France and Spain (in the June floods (scary!), Germany (to re-visit our Army home), Belgium, Rome (coming up), Lake District Camping (twice) AND loads of short UK trips to places imagined but never seen by us before.

Spiritual:  Lourdes, Renewing our wedding vows on our 22nd wedding anniversay (31st July).

Uplifting: QT with each child, grandchild and group of friends, visiting Oxford for the weekend (daughter goes to Uni next month), watching Riverdance as a family (David is from Irish blood!), numerous London musicals and the list goes on.

I tell you this because David should be very ill by now (according to statistics and the doctors' prognosis) but he is still absolutely alive and kicking!  He is confounding those doctors and is actually now back at work full-time.  There IS hope and there CAN BE time when they tell you the worst.  Keep hoping everyone and keep doing the things that you always wanted to do but just never got round to.  When that Insurance pay-out drops on the floor, try not to be depressed, USE it to keep your mind, soul and memories alive and it will help to keep YOU alive.

Much love to all - Julie xxxx 

Hi Mike

You posted on this thread back in December so it’s good to know that all is very well with you.  If you look on Page 56 here you will be able to see your last message and my response to you can be found on page 57.  There are a few more of your postings on this site, and I agree with you that it is quite difficult to find your way around.  Anyway, as I said before, yours is a remarkable story and will give hope to a lot of people.  I hope that you continue to do very well and thanks for sharing your uplifting experience.

All the very best to you.

Crystal

Dear Julie

You and David have been in my thoughts many times and I just knew that you’d be out there fulfilling that fu*k it list you promised yourselves many months ago.  I’m absolutely thrilled for you that you’re achieving so many of these and living and loving every moment.  Keep adding to that list because there is nothing that you cannot do if you put your mind to it, as you and David so obviously prove.  It’s wonderful that he’s thriving and that both of you can seize the moment, live your dreams and fulfil your ambitions.  I hope David will continue to confound the doctors for a very long time yet, so here’s to another long list, and another after that.

Lots of love to you

Crystal xx

Hi Julie

Like Crystal you and David have been often in my thoughts, I can remember when you said you do not know how you will go on and I replied you just have to because there are others dependant on you. Your combined strength has overcome adversity and you are able to spit the Demon in the eye, may you both continue to draw that love and extra special strength from each other and continue to achieve your dreams and inspire others for a long time yet to come.

Take Care,

Steve

Mike

I was telling a friend with the same condition as us your remarkable story, I am so pleased you are staying well, it is true that this will give hope to others.

Best Regards,

Steve

Hi everyone

my stomach is now in my chest and is very welcome there. I was terrified last Thursday when I went in but the anesthetist was great and so reassuring. I spent one day in ICU and two nights in HDU and the rest on the ward. 11 nights later I'm back home and despite the daunting experience I am ready to face life full on. The advice I HAVE RECEIVED HERE HAS INDEED STOOD ME IN GOOD STEAD AND PREPARED ME FOR THE BEST AND THE WORST. I just hope the doctor's faith in me is not misplaced and I can go on advancing so well. They kept congratulating me - when I think I should have been congratulating them.

But congratulations to all of us - Steve Crystal Charlotte Lizzie and all of you who have so encouraged me.  What is the medicine you say is so good at night Steve?? is it a pill you dissolve on the tongue??

Anyway I have come home with the largest packet of paracetomol I have ever seen and morphine for the pain. Funnily i had very little pain and my whole team was marvelous here in Bournemouth. 

I am a bit tired but will update you all soon

big kisses and hugs to one and all

Judy

i have posted here as they might have got rid of my tumour but they also got rid of my brain cells allowing me to open a new thread in the right group!!!!!