Surviving Oesophageal Cancer

Amendment – apologies Steve, I got the title slightly wrong above.  The correct title is ‘Reaching for A Rainbow – A practical guide to living alongside cancer’. xx  Lovely cover and profile too.

Oh Crystal - it's so lovely to hear from you again!  The thought of you burping on a bus had me honking with laughter! 

I've seen people on here looking for answers for the problem of burping. I don't want to make light of this as it must be horrible and embarassing.  However, in our case, Dad has been known to share 'burpage' for many years now, so we've not really noticed any difference. Ahem.

Good luck with your house move, hope it's not too stressful for you. I hope you don't find dodgy DIY everywhere and dangerous electrics (like I did when I moved into my house earlier this year). Oh, and may the shower door not fall on your head as the previous owner just stood it up against the wall...

Lots of love to you xxxxx Sarah xxxxxx

I heard about the burping syndrome, has not happened to me I hiccup instead, if I eat just a little too much away it goes, think I'd rather the burping, that I can understand having no valve anymore.  I think I need to do some research on the hiccup, which is a oesophageal spasm and how it relates to our problem. The other problem I seem get is regurgitation, if i eat a little fast or something the stomach feels it does not want, out it comes. My gut seems to have a mind of its own, but I am eating anything and everything in the right combination of course.

Regards Lou

Hi Sarah

I am so glad your dad is feeling more upbeat, I hope meeting others who have gone before him and also watching my Mac film will give him more confidence on his journey.

I received Griff's CD this morning; it is very good, especially as he has recently undergone the big op. If you look at Lou's profile you will see another man who is kicking the odds into touch.

Just keep on being the good daughter you are, and your dad should not have too many worries with you fighting his corner.

Steve x

Hi Lou

I am pleased you are doing well, you are right it is a hell of a journey but one that can be overcome. I struggle some days but have quality of life which I cherish above all else.

Keep up the good fight,

Steve 

Hi Crystal

I know how much your house move means to you, but the good news is all those worries and setbacks within the property market are now surpassed with excitement; you are one of the most deserving people I know.

You are right my book project has been difficult but has helped chase many of my demons away. If my writing can be of some help to others then I shall draw much comfort from that knowledge. I was pleased that my consultant has ordered some copies for the Maggie Centre. At this point I would like to say that I will be in a position to raise some money for charity through book sales, however I would have to sell several hundred copies to cover my publishing costs, so will have to see how sales progress over time.

Take Care,

Steve x

Hi Lou - my Dad had hiccups all of the time before he started chemo and during his first chemo.  They seem to have calmed down a bit now and he only has the odd attack.

Steve - I've just ordered one of Griff's CD's - I shall let you know what I think!

I read one of your poems the other day on here and it was really moving. I hope that your book project goes well.

Take care everyone and I hope you all have a good weekend. I'm off to mow my lawn...don't want to but it's starting to look jungle-tastic.

xxxxx Sarah xxxxxx

Hi Sarah. GREAT news that your dad is beginning to pick up. John will only ever agree to things his nurses suggest too! Apparently my suggestions relate to 'fussing too much'!! We attended a support group (again suggested by me, then by the nurse so he agreed to it). He actually found it really benefitial especially as two gentlemen around his age with same cancer 'befriended' him at the meeting and he could have a man to man chat.

My husband John is doing well with his eating now but it's been a slow and steady road with many trials and errors as to what he can tolerate.

Well done with all your support for your dad . We know it hasn't been easy for you. Hope you're sleeping better too.

Love and hugs, Zute xxx

Hello Zute!!  Isn't it funny how both my Dad and your hubby only seem to agree to things when a professional has suggested it!  I'll let you know how we get on at the group but I think it'll be good for Dad to meet men his own age - exactly as your John has.

I'm so glad your hubby is doing well with eating, I'm really pleased to hear this. 

The sleeping isn't much better but I'm sort of getting used to waking up at 5am now and at least this is better than waking up at 3am, so I've made progress!

Take care and loads of love to you xxxxxxx

Sarah go for the cream cake and let us know, i ate a lot of cakes during my recovery after surgery particularly soft muffins, i was on a feeding tube for 2 months after surgery mainly because I could not eat because of the gullet shrinkage and the fact I just could not eat the supplements the dieticans gave me. Anything I could eat I ate, I threw out all the healthy food notions I always had and ate all the cakes, ice creams I could lay my hands (but I did eat yoghurt, pureed vegetable and fruit and  soups, even if I did not like the taste) to build up weight, now I am back into the healthy diet but I have always like my cakes and biccies now I augment them with some museli bars and I did eat a lot of chocolate.

Like Steve I struggle some days but the gaps between the bad days are increasing. Steve,  you have inspired me and I have a yen to write poetry again (something I have not done for many years now decades), I dug ot all my old verses poems and lyrics both published and unpublished. I used to have my work published over there by Altanic Press and some singers put music to some of my verses, don't know if they are still around.

A good food synergy for you Crystal, Apple cider Vinegar and honey two teaspoons of both in 300ml of water, started that again and starting to feel great, appetite has improved and I am eating a lot more serves of veges a day, but I still eat my cakes

Regards Lou