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
This song is how I feel right now:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Edwsf-8F3sI
And this music always uplifts me:
Sacred Medicine.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6Y4kpZ7xQk
And Steve, (bad year is now a good year), I hope you don’t mind me quoting your beautiful words here from your thread The Demon, as they so inspired me:
To follow a dream – by Steve (bad year is now a good year)
Shall I dare to speak of my secret dream and chance to break the spell I clutch so close to my beating heart, a heart which grows faster with excitement at the chance to see my dream come near? But to understand that our dreams are just as powerful if not infectious when shared aloud can only spur me on to cast them high upon the prevailing wind so that they shall bind with the dreams of others and I shall know I am not alone, for dreams are abundant if we are prepared to grasp and see them through, for my dreams will not forsake me, only I them.
Powerful and breathtaking words!
Lots of Love
Crystal xx
“I can be changed by what happens to me, but I refuse to be reduced by it.”
Maya Angelou
((((Hi Leisha))))
Thanks so much for dropping by and for your kind words. I don’t at all mind being likened to Her Majesty as she is one of my heroines. Talking of which, so are you!! Congratulations and incredibly well done in completing the Manchester 10k. That is one heck of an achievement because it is such a challenge yet so many benefit from it. I just know that Ed is smiling and nodding and cheering you on. You must feel elated at that run. Well done, I’m proud of you.
You are often in my thoughts too and I’m sending you warmest hugs and loud cheers of congrats.
Love
Crystal xx
Hi Steve
You are a Star. You shine brightly for many, lighting their path and helping people to discover their own inner strength. Long may you continue doing this.
Love
Crystal xx
Dear Mick, this is for you:
Could we but see the pattern of our days,
We should discern how devious were the ways
By which we came to this, the present time,
This place in life; and we should see the climb
Our soul has made up through the years.
We should forget the hurts, the wanderings, the fears,
The wastelands of our life, and know
That we could come no other way or grow
Into our good without these steps our feet
Found hard to take, our faith found hard to meet.
The road of life winds on, and we like travelers go
From turn to turn until we come to know
The truth that life is endless and that we
Forever are inhabitants of all eternity.
(No Other Way - by Martha Smock)
With much Love and Many Thanks for all your support.
