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

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to crystalclear

    Happy New Year to you too Crystal and to all my other online friends.  Thank you for the support over the last year.  Wishing you all a peaceful New Year xx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    May I add my best wishes to one and all for 2011. Whatever life throws at us we are not alone when we have this place to reach our friends. Stay strong, love leisha xxxxx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to crystalclear

    Happy, Peaceful and healthy new year to everyone

    much love and hugs

    xxxxxxxxxx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    Happy and healthy New Year to everyone. Lots Of love and very best wishes for 2011!

    (Thanks for everyones support this year) xxxxx

    xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to crystalclear

    My partner who is 49 has oesophageal cancer.  He has completed 4 cycles of chemo and is about to start 5 weeks of radiotherapy.  Having read your experiences of this cancer, I feel positive.  You have helped me.  And tonight I will raise a glass to you for giving me a more positive outlook.  We can beat this.  Thank you.

     

     

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    Hi Sheenakay

    Be strong n take every day at a time, positive thinking is the rule.

    Much love to you and partner for the new year xxx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    2011 bringing no joy.  Our mad, crazy Ozzy dog had to be put to sleep this morn.  So sudden, vet discovered he had multiple tumours in abdomen that began bleeding, inop, so sad outcome.  Feel worst tho as he was in kennel for xmas and we were about to go bring him home.  His Xmas din is still in freezer!!  Rotten start to year we hoped would be better than last in which we lost both our Mums, a friend and Shaun diagnosed with the cancer.

    Optimism is failing me after keeping me going for months.

    Sorry to moan but feel lousy.

    xxx

     

  • Hi Maisiebird

    This is such sad news, as those who love pets will understand and I’m so sorry about poor Ozzy.  Our pets form a large part of family life and contribute enormous joy to it, so I can well understand you sense of deep loss and grief.  I know you know this but the vet did the only thing he possibly could, because pets don’t understand pain and can’t be expected to take that sort of medication.  It was a bad start to the New Year but try to look forward and begin to make plans for the year ahead.

    PS:  Since New Year’s Eve I’ve been very sick with a vicious form of flu coupled with sickness and a bad stomach, but I just had to reply to your sad post.  I’ll catch up with you and all my Mac friends as soon as I’m shining brightly again.

    Love and Hugs

    Crystal xx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to crystalclear

    Thankyou Crystal for your constant support and kind words, still feeling yuk about it all but we will come to terms as always.  Hoping you very soon feel more like your normal self and kick this nasty bug into touch.  I think loads of people have had sililar lately, Tho given your other medical conditions this will not have been easy for you.  Eldest son spent since Xmas in bed with flu, Grandaughter ill the week between the 2 holidays and I had cough n cold!

    Thank you again for your ongoing kindness and wishing you a speedy return to health.

    Much love and hugs

    xxxxxxxx

     

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    I am worried that one of our flock who was taken very poorly at the new year has not resurfaced here amongst us yet.

    Crystalclear is one of the most cherished of OC survivors here at Mac and I would dearly like to hear from anyone that has any newsof her wellbeing.

    In the meantime  lets al send her some really strong healing vibes and hope that she is very soon restored to her old self and back amongst us spreading the good will as only she knows how to. Mac is a sadder place without her....hurry back Crystal (if you can read this) we miss you.

    love. light and brave blessings to one and all

    David [[[crystal]]] xxx