Surviving Oesophageal Cancer

Just reading the title of this thread, let alone the various accounts, gives me hope and I sincerely believe that in time I will also be in a position to contribute as another survivor. It's a long and winding road but starting out along it in such good company makes the journey that much easier to bear.

Keep on trucking.

David

Hi David

It’s difficult road we find ourselves on with many twists and turns and ups and downs, for sure we know what the statistics are, however we are all individuals, so make it we will by hook or by crock; for me it’s not the time I may have but the quality of life that matters, mourning for what might be in my opinion is a waste of what presious time I still have.

Keep up the good fight,

Steve

Hi David

A journey is always better shared in good company than alone, so although it’s an unknown road at least we can help each other.

I’m glad you found your way to this thread, or the Survivor’s Bus as one of our friends calls it Lol.  I’m hopeful that we’ll all be here for quite some time yet, exchanging travel tips and tales along the way, and as Steve says, enjoying quality time as well.

Welcome aboard.

Best wishes

Crystal  

Hi folks

Keep my seat on the bus warm for me - just going to take  the dog for a walk but I've got a season ticket for the Hop-on, hop-off open top tour!

David

Hi fellow Passengers,

I like the survivor bus analogy, Well I have had the surgery, they tell me they have got it all, no affected lymoh nodes but having a lot of difficulty with eating. I was  on peg feed which kept  me going, the peg came out yesterday. I feel real healthy most of the time, working in the yard in my workshop. Seen the oncologist  yesterday planning post op chemo purely precautionary starting next week.  Had a great weekend of Rugby League involvement, a big step forward 10 weeks after surgery being able to stay out and actively coaching Junior Referees. I tried an egg flip on wednesday last, an egg flip is a raw egg smoothie, didn't the old gut play up, sick for two days, I said "bugger this I'll stick to fruit from now on" so I tried a fruit salad on Saturday night, up it come, sick all night. Still feeling under the weather I went out and delivered a referee course on Sunday from 8.00 am to 4.00 pm, blow it, I had subway for lunch, well it is now Tuesday and it is still down. I have learnt by experience some new terms from the dieticians, "gut integrity" and "dumping syndrome".

While I know it will be a while till I enjoy a lamb roast, and the one the wife is cooking sure smells good, I am really enjoying the butternut pumpkin soup.

One of our old Prime Ministers, Malcolm Fraser once said "Life was not meant to be easy", too true but if you don't give up it does get easier

Regards Lou.

Hi Lou

A big welcome back and I’m so glad that all went well and you’re now on the road to recovery.  It’s great that you’re able to get involved with the rugby again as exercise is important, just try not to overdo things at this stage as you will still get very tired and lose energy quite rapidly. 

The diet and eating issue is always problematic and will be for some time. It’s usually a case of trial and error trying to find the foods that suit and are easily digested. Fresh fruit is very difficult to digest with your new internal arrangement, so try tinned peaches and other soft fruit.  Also, at this stage, I wouldn’t recommend raw eggs just in case one should be contaminated.  Dumping syndrome is a very unpleasant condition that can make you feel really ill, but generally only lasts a few months, except in my case where I still had it after two years.  It sounds as though you’re doing brilliantly and have a good healthy attitude.  As you rightly say, don’t give up and hopefully you’ll be eating lamb roast again in no time.  Good luck with the chemo next week and stay in touch.

All the very best

Crystal xx

just popped in to say hello to old friends and good luck to all the newcomers. just to let you know, I am drivng the bus and the terminus ISN'T at the Cemetry Gates as in 'On The Buses'  !  

I was diagnosed in June 2005 and given 6 to 9 months. managed to get the Ivor lewis and was reclassified as cured on Sept 7 2009. Got my 5 years and final checkup in October.

A tough old road but good support here.

Good luck

Mick

With the news from Lou and Mick there seems to be a party atmosphere aboard the bus, and with Mick at the wheel we're certainly heading in the right direction.

Good luck to one and all

David

(((((Mick))))) It’s always good to see you !  The very man that calls this thread the Survivors Bus.  Congratulations on coming up to your five year milestone, it’s one we’re all aspiring to and we’re right behind you. The ride has not been a picnic exactly has it, sometimes more like a runaway bus without brakes on a downhill slope, but every so often, when the bus stops to let people on, things get much better and the going gets easier.  You’re a good example and a great bus driver. 

Another ice cream anyone?

Love and Hugs

Crystal xx

There you go Crystal, the new 'me'.......lost 2 stone (only 5 more to go !!) ......and the 'tache has gone after 29 yerars !!

daft isn't it, I struggle to lose weight and most of you are trying to keep it on !!

xx