Surviving Oesophageal Cancer

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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 Maisiebird

    You and Shaun are in my thoughts and I hope that Shaun will be feeling much better very soon and allowed home once all is under control.  If you need anything, please ask as I’ll be happy to help.

    Love and Hugs

    Crystal xx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    Hi 

    Thanks for your good wishes Christine R.  Hope things stable withyou.x

    Things still not good with Shaun, but at least on a surgical ward now and his consultant will c him moz.

    Hi Bacardiwoman - glad hubby brighter  - sounds like things going along steadily.  Spk to u soon and lots of love xxx.  Hope your Mum is ok too.  Too much all at once :-( xx

    Much love to everyone

    xxxx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to crystalclear

    soz Crystal - didn't notice we had started a new page!!

    Thank you for your kindness love to u too

    xxxx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    Hello again everybody, just thought I would post an update on mum after her endoscopy last week.

    We saw a doctor on Friday at a different hospital. He phoned for the results and told mum she has inflammation in her stomach and oesophagus. The biopsy results aren't back yet, although, like you said Crystal, he thinks if it was anything sinister on the oesophagus, the doctor doing the scope would have recognised it, so I am a bit more hopeful.

    I hope everything goes well for all of you.

    Best wishes, Christine xx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    Hi Christine

    This is really positive news, it may be an acid eating bug that lives within the stomach (Helicobacter pylori)  many people have it and don't know until it cauaes inflamation, if so a course of pills can eradicate it.

    Steve x

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    Thanks Steve, she has been told she has to stop smoking, she is smoking about 40 a day now. We will see!

    Christine xx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    Hi Christine

    I agree with Steve that it sounds quite hopeful.  I remember when the doctor came to see us after doing the first endoscope he did say he thought it was cancer just by looking.  Fingers crossed for your mother. 

    Hope everyone else is doing well today.

    Love Sue

  • Hi Christine

    Thanks for the update on your mum and as the others say, it does look hopeful, especially after that comment from the doctor.  I’ll continue to keep fingers crossed until you have an answer, so let us know how you get on.

    All the very best

    Crystal xx

     

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    Hi Christine

    Glad things sounding good for your Mum, good news!

    Shaun improving slowly, hope he's home soon.

    Love and good wishes to everyone.

    xxxxxx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    Hi Maisiebird and everyone

    It's good to hear from what's happening to everyone again ...felt as though my lifeline had been cut when I didn't know what was happening to you all.  Didn't see anything from Harverysmiles about her chemo on Monday ...hope it wasn't too bad?

    Love to everyone and especially those awaiting results from tests etc.

    Sue xxx