Surviving Oesophageal Cancer

Hi Leisha
Lol, yes except it’s not so much thrill seeking, but in my case it’s need for speed. I love to be in fast moving vehicles or rides and get a real adrenalin rush which makes me feel exhilarated and alive. I couldn’t do a bungee jump like Ben wants to though.
Do you live in the region of Blackpool? I’ve not been there since I was 18 and lost my car. Actually, I thought I’d lost it because I’d forgotten where I’d put it, and when I reported it to the police, they had it in their compound because I’d parked it illegally. Anyway, I’m rambling.
It’s not unusual to get setbacks 18 months or more down the line and I’ve just had one myself. Also, not everyone gets the runs with dumping syndrome, people get a mixture of symptoms. See this link re Dumping Syndrome:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dumping-syndrome/DS00715/DSECTION=symptoms
As you say, you can always call your nurse if Ed is no better soon. I’m sorry to hear that you’ve got an infection and it’s a disgrace that you haven’t been given any antibiotics yet. You sound like a spirited person so you go and give them what for. You’ve never told us about your surgery, so if you do want to talk about it, please do. What happened to Leisha by the way, as you said in your last line, ‘wherever you are in the world….’ Did she get lost?
Anyway, I hope that infection clears up soon and you’ll be fit and well ready for your hols. xx

Hi Good Year
I’m a little concerned about you as you are quiet lately and I know you’ve not been feeling too good. Are you feeling a little apprehensive about the forthcoming meeting with your consultant? It’s always a worry isn’t it? Mine is due in November. Right now I’m just waiting for some blood test results as I’ve been soooo without energy and so very tired for months now. My body feels fine, but this tiredness is such a nuisance. By the time I’ve danced to some heavy rock there isn’t much left in me to do the housework. Let us know how you are. xx

A good and peaceful evening to Everyone.
Love crystal xx

Hi Crystal
Thanks for being concerned about me; I don’t like to think you have no energy, I somehow just can’t imagine you listening to your rock music without an air guitar, you little rock chick! Everything is fine with me except for tiredness which has become overwhelming at times as I feel I have to run just to stand still and have been struggling at work and was pulled up for being a little short with my colleagues which is unlike me; I have not seen my consultant since about March the only reason I have made a new appointment is because the ENT consultant, after my barium scan said that I should; if nothing else meaningful can be done about my eating/aspiration problems, or if offered intervention outweighs my perceived benefit I will give it all a miss, I won’t discharge myself but I won’t be making any more appointments unless I really feel that I have to; considering the prognosis of this damn disease my symptoms are a small price to pay if I can stay cancer free, but like you I would love to have some more energy.

Hi Ben
Glad to hear you are sorting out those doom and gloom merchants, there are times when we all need you to cheer us up. I had a phone call from my doctor who was panicking over a letter from my recent tests, he seems to thing I have lost 6 stone in the couple of months and asking if he should be sending me for tests, I said the weight loss was since my operation 16 months ago and if he thinks I have lost six stone in just the last couple of months he shouldn’t be arranging tests but sending me an undertaker!

Hi Leisha
The only thrill seeking I can muster these days is all dreamed up in my head, I just wish I had the energy to do it for real, it’s times like this when I need a Duracell battery pack strapped to my back.

A big hello to anyone else looking in,

Steve

Hi Crystal,

Not too sure about posting my op pics - it might put prospective candidates for this procedure right off!! Not a pretty sight as you will be well aware.So will pass on that as they are pretty graphic. (was going to say I'll show you mine if ------ but we wont go there!!)

Hi Steve,
Enjoyed your comments about the weight loss. At least he was reading the correspondence!
I am on a high dose of codein and oxycontin (at night) as my shoulder has frozen - very painful - hopefully only as a result of surgery 5yrs ago and nothing more sinister, and the codein side effect has (until today) solved my dumping. But off to the doc this arvo' as pain has worsened and the dreaded dumping back to say hello. Have my colonoscopy on tues 25th so will be having the a real clean out on monday!!! As Sharon says it's just another of my bouts of attention seeking.

Hi Leisha,
I like your style about faulty goods - you tell ém! Don't let those bugs get you down.

Cheers Ben.

Hi Ben
I can understand not wanting to post those pics really. The Ivor Lewis is not for the squeamish or faint-hearted and we’d much rather see your pic as it is. I might post some pics of my cat and even Nicu if he agrees. I know your scan is next Tuesdy as it’s marked on my calendar and I’ll be with you that day. For now, I hope the doc can sort the dumping out for you. Maybe Leisha is right and there is a spring/summer season of dumping. Make hay later though. xx

Hi Leisha
What a ‘pick-me-up’ you are! How I laughed at poor Patsy on tranquillisers because she’s quite a mad dog Lol. And your banger racing. I told you we had much in common didn’t I? I tried it once too but couldn’t get round fast enough for my taste and got wrecked in the process, (the car was a wreck to begin with).
I’m glad that Ed is feeling better today, smaller meals probably help and fresh food is loads better than processed to stave off the dumping.
Please don’t feel a cheat being here, it’s people like you with humour and spirit that make us feel good, and if there were a prescription for such a thing then we’d all be taking something called Leisha rofl. You’re right in that our energy is used in a kind of battle-mode and I always find that laughter reinforces my strength and recharges the jaded batteries and makes me feel heaps better. That’s why I dance to rock music. Maybe I should save it for cooking or something?
Hope you’re both laughing today xx

Hi Good Year
Hey, I have a real guitar as well as my air guitar. Actually, the real guitar is Nicu’s but my air guitar sounds better when I play. My air guitar is a Les Paul Gibson, if it’s good enough for Slash then it’s ok for me. Seems you and I have Metal fatigue rofl.

I don’t know how we can overcome this fatigue do you? I got my blood test results just now and they are normal, so whilst that is good it doesn’t solve the problem of fatigue, so back to the docs and the drawing board on this one. I do hope that the docs can sort you out, but don’t say no to treatment if there is a real possibility that it will help you. xx

Love to All
Crystal xx

Here is my cure for fatigue.

Go to sleep! Night night. (even though it is 1.30 pm down under)
Ben.