Surviving Oesophageal Cancer

Things going slowly.  Shaun has cold and is getting "down" with the constant pain and daily nausuea.  Doc says I have depression -what? Me? Never!??

Appt at last with consultant soon, 4 months after the op - bet late than never.  Hoping Spring and warm weather will make him feel bit more like himself.

Love to all on here

xxxxxxx

Much love and thanx especially go to Crystal

xxxxxxxxxxx

I know just what Shaun means when he succumbs to the constant pain and nausea all exacerbated by fatigue and the miserable weather. Hope he can get his chin up again soonas it only makes things worse if you get too down and bring on further problems associated with that mood - very hard I know but so beneficail to keep on top if you can.

The Dr has just given my wife Geraldine two weeks sick leave saying it was long overdue so now we are trying amidst all the turmoil and melancholy to have some quality time together concentrating on ourselves.

Love and light

David [maisebird]X

Hi Crystal.  I have just registered on this site because my dad was diagnosed with OC at the end of Sept 2010 and I needed to find out more.  It was great to read about your experience and the positve attitude you have if fantastic.  My dad has just had his 3rd bought of chemo and is now waiting for an appointment for a scan to find out if it has shrunk so that he can have the operation.  So thanks again for putting my mind at ease at this stage.

thanks from Dooker

Good morning

My name is Allan and I am 45, I have a lovely wife who is 38 and has had the misfortune of having breast cancer twice in the last 3 years.  We have two beautiful daughters, Elise who is 6, and Isabelle who is 3.  Fortunatly my wife has made a full recovery from her breast cancer and just when we thought we could start living again I was diagnosed with cancer of the esophogus.  Now luckly after the endoscopy, the pet ct scan and the laporoscopy they said I was a perfect candidate for the chemo/op route which made both of us sigh with relief as we know this is the route to a cure.  I have had the first session of chemo which was as an inpatient for 5 days which I sailed through (you see I am an extremely positive person and am also very fit as I box five times a week and eat faily healthy most of the time)  I go in this friday for the next 5 day session and then onto the op.  None of this scares me as I will fly through this faster then average, but there is one  thing that gets me which I never let anyone know about (I thought writing it down may help me deal with it)  I cannot bear putting this burdon on my wifes shoulders as I have been the carer and know all the horrors that go thru your mind about losing your partner (even though I know they are totally irrational thoughts) and as she has been the "cared for" she also knows what thoughts run thru your mind.   I am her husband and I have always protected her and cared for her,  and as I am the provider I have always been her rock, so I cant stand thinking that I am putting her thru this.  I love her and my girls so this is the biggest issue I am dealing with, not the cancer, nor the treatment as I know I will beat it anyway.

Hi David, Maisiebird and Everyone

Many thanks for all your kind thoughts and pms, which I’ll be replying to in due course.  It was amazing to see so many messages and emails, so I’m touched by all of your kindness and best wishes.  Just a brief update: as most of you know, I had flu on New Years Eve, (it began at midnight to be exact, so not the best start to 2011).  It was probably the worst bout of flu I’d ever had, but only lasted around ten days, after which the cough developed into a chest infection, which in turn has completely drained every ounce of energy, so basically that has been the reason for my absence.  Happily, I’m on the mend, although energy levels are still seriously depleted.  Hopefully, the twelve-weekly B12 jab due next week will help provide more energy, as will the Tai Chi and Qigong exercise I’m planning on doing this morning. 

Apologies if I worried anyone since I know how all of you are so very caring about each other, and it’s this that helps us to get through our various day-to-day problems and makes us feel better.  Your messages really helped raise my spirits and embrace wellness again.

Love and Hugs to All

Crystal xx

Hi Dooker

Welcome to the Mac site where you’ll be sure to meet lots of lovely, caring people who know exactly what you and your dad will be going through, and the kinds of things you’ll be facing.  You’ve probably realised by now that much of the time is spent waiting; waiting for tests, waiting for results and waiting to see which options are possible.  It’s not always easy, but if you can keep a positive attitude through much of it, it really does help, both physically and emotionally, enabling you to continually assess the situation and remain in control of the current state of play.  I’ll keep my fingers crossed for your dad and hope that the chemo has done its job.  Let us know how you get on won’t you?

Love and Hugs

Crystal xx

Hi Allan

Welcome to you too and I love your very positive attitude, but don’t forget to confide in others as well, because it’s easier for all concerned to share the experience rather than single-handedly trying to go it alone.  As your wife was the ‘cared for’ one before, she will know better than anyone about the concerns you express here, so I’m sure that she’ll be relieved to have a good chat about it, and happy that you’re sharing your concerns with her.  In the meantime, stay positive and keep as physically fit as possible without overdoing it at this stage.  The key right now is gentle exercise, kindness to yourself and understanding your mind and body in readiness for the recovery period.  Lots of good luck and keep in touch to let us know how things are going for you.

Love and hugs

Crystal xx

HI e veryone and welcome to the newbies - it doesn't seem so long ago I was new on the site and how grateful I was to get help and advice from Steve and Crystal and many carers. I realize how fast things have developed since. Please read my profile for those of you who don't know me.

It's great to hear from you Crystal - I'm glad you are doing better - flu is dreadful and I have been getting the flu jab for the past ten years as my husband has an artificial mitral valve and CANNOT catch flu - I am sure this has helped me too!! Flu on top of the rest is JUST NOT FAIR. Mind you not much fair in this lark - but I  always say to myself it could be far worse - we are being treated - many of us had the operation and are still going strong albeit with ups and downs. 

My thoughts go out to you all. I missed this thread for some reason or other - the site is going a bit crazy don't you think - either I get the same post three times or nothing at all - a bit like buses

kisses and hugs to you all

Judy

Hi Crystal.

I have just read your blog. I havent got what you have but I had larygectomy cancer 3 years ago I had to have my voive box removed, another story. you seem to have got better with your cancer, hope that you are feeling better, we are stronger than you think, I have just got over a chest infection we are proned to them as we have a stoma another hole to breath through that we have to watch that we dont get a cold.  hope this year is the best for your health.

joe ninty. michael.xxx