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 over 15 years ago

Hi Crystal, Steve and Leisha,
Thanks for your sugestions on possible cause of the frozen shoulder . The op may have had some bearing on it (pun unintentional) but it is almost 9 mnths since then and I had it operated on 5yrs ago (trying to lift beyond my ability) and recurrence after this type of surgery is very high. Anyway the bone scan next week should help sort this out as well. Another possibility (although you will never get me to admit it) could have something to do with my maturity and a thing called athritis. But any other suggestions or remedies are most welcome.

Trust the surgeon can help with your weight program Steve . Can't help with any further thoughts on the fatigue front. Thats one of the advantages of being more mature and retired that you can sleep or nod of whenever it takes your fancy - see what you have to look forward to.

Cheers. Ben.

crystalclear over 15 years ago

Hi Leisha
I fell about laughing at your gates and how nice they look but how they don’t work yet. I just imagined you climbing over these tall gates with your shopping bags and not being able to open them for fear that the ‘mad’ dog will escape. Lol. Talking of shopping, the Eat Natural cereal bars are obtainable at Morrisons, Tesco, Sainsburys and most health food shops. However, bizarrely they are not kept with the ordinary cereal bars, so you will probably have to do a search aisle by aisle, because if you ask the staff, although helpful, they don’t seem to know. In our Morrisons they are very close to the dried fruit and nuts counter and in Sainsbury’s they’re close to the sweet biscuits. This is what they look like, they’re all good especially the purple wrapper:
http://www.eatnatural.co.uk/View-Products.aspx?Category=EatNaturalBars
How lovely to be having a month long holiday. I don’t know Spain very well as we go to Italy mostly, but we had a fab time in Barcelona just four months before my diagnosis. I’d certainly enjoy the sound of that rocker and thinking I’m 18 again. I’m going to miss you for all that time though. I hope Ed is well today, and you too. xx

Hi Good Year
I’m happy to hear that you’ve come off shift work, at least for a while, as I suggested you do that some time ago if you remember. Hopefully, it will enable you to recharge your batteries a little more and you’ll be less stressed and therefore able to eat more. Why don’t you try those cereal bars mentioned above, they’ve enabled me to gain weight as I eat three or four a day, as well as loads of ice cream. I’ll be thinking about you on Friday 28th and really hope that the surgeon can help you with the eating issues you have. Does it still feel as though it’s sticking, as the surgeon may well suggest dilation like Ben had? I’m sure it will improve over time, but I know that it sometimes seems that when one problem is resolved another takes its place. Have a good relaxing evening, maybe watching football, and let us know what the surgeon suggests. xx

Hi Ben
There is no way your shoulder could be attributed to your maturity or arthritis, look at you, you are way too lively and fit, always off making hay or celebrating. It sounds as though the problem lies with that op you had five years ago compounded by the more recent surgery. As Steve suggests, Deep Heat is a really good treatment, but that might have something to do with the massage itself as well. Also, I’m a great believer in exercise as pain relief (providing you can muster the energy, which you can), so some stretching exercises might be beneficial. xx

As for myself, it’s been one of those good days where my energy hasn’t deserted me for once, so I’ve had fun with friends around town and am just about to try a new recipe that doesn’t involve chocolate. It’s savoury I believe Lol.

Hi to everyone who might be reading. A pleasant evening to all.
Love Crystal xx

FormerMember over 15 years ago

Hi Crystal, you are such a tonic and Im supposed to be healthy, lol. I will explore morrisons for the bars for me and Ed! I went line dancing last night though I didnt dance much, it was good to catch up with the girls,ha ha, many over 70! mixed ages really and got myself invited to a hen party sept 2010, guess where? BENIDORM. How good is that. Do you know Ive never been on a hen party, they didnt have them in my day, Im so excited.
Ed plods on. The hol will sort him out or else he really is back to see the specialist.
Well boys hope you are having a good day, what are you all up to? love leisha

FormerMember over 15 years ago

Hi Crystal, Ben and Leisha

Went to see my surgeon today and we have agreed to leave things alone for now on the proviso that I promise to call them if I start losing weight again, this arrangement suits me fine as I just want to get on with life without any more invasive procedures. I made up a copy of the DEMON on parchment paper using a nice font, framed it and gave it to my surgeon; he liked it and said he would put it somewhere special (I hope that doesn’t mean deep file in the bin)! How can you really show your appreciation to someone who has saved your life? I know I would not be here today if it were not for him, his team and the wonderful people on the ward.

Yesterday was nice and sunny so we walked through Regence Park before spending the afternoon at the Zoo and had a very enjoyable day. Leisha, I hope you and Ed have a good time in Benidorm; it’s nice to be able to squeeze a little more sunshine to hold at bay the grey of winter.

And to everyone else looking in I send my very best wishes.

Steve

PS Crystal I will have a lookout for those goody bars you rave about they sound good.

FormerMember over 15 years ago

Hi all, Just had what has to be an hilarious few minutes though I blew my top at Ed. You know that mad dog Patsy, well she likes to stay outside by the back gate even when it pours down. She drives you mad if you keep her inside and just likes to lie in the rain! Well we have a huge kennel by the front gate but she likes the back gate. I thought it would be an idea to move the kennel to where she wants to lie. Ed agreed. Then out of the blue he started up sons digger, brought it down the drive to move kennel, HIT THE GATES! and PULLED DOWN THE TELEPHONE WIRE! Stupid person! mad dog ran inside and now refuses to go out. Honestly . bet you all think its funny,leisha

FormerMember over 15 years ago

Leisha,
I know why you blew your top, but that was just sooo funny!
creates a wonderful picture - and the gates! did they survive?
More to the point, did Ed?
You are a tonic!!

sue x

FormerMember over 15 years ago

Hi Leisha

I think it would be cheaper in the long run if you got some obedience training, and I don’t mean for Ed just the dog!

Steve

crystalclear over 15 years ago

Hi Leisha
That is so funny I cried laughing. Did Ed have to call the telephone company about the wires hehehe?
I think you put Ed in the Mad Doghouse didn’t you and let Mad Dog sit in Ed’s chair?
cartoondogs1.jpg picture by crystalalbum

Hi Sue
Welcome to the madhouse. Yep, that digger should do the job. Lol

Hi Steve
You’re absolutely right. Leisha should get that Ed, I mean Mad Dog trained.
Being sensible for a moment I’m glad that the doc is monitoring the situation so that you don’t have to have any invasive treatment right now. What a lovely thing to do to give a framed copy of the DEMON to your surgeon. I gave mine a bag of blackjacks and fruit salad. It’s the least I could do. Really. (I found out he liked the kid’s sweets).
demon.jpg DEMONMac picture by crystalalbum

Hi Ben
Hope all is well with you. Come and join the madness.

To All looking in today, hope it's a good day for you. xx
Love Crystal xx

FormerMember over 15 years ago

Hi, how on earth do you do those fantastic cartoons, I love them. Friend of a friend came n sorted out phone, blacksmith coming for gates Tues (quick repair) ed and dog in the dog house, lol. No, we had a good laugh but son has hid the key to digger. Never a dull moment here
.
Just been to beach to watch grandson in kite surfing competition, his first. He enjoyed it and I was so proud of him but he crashed several times, its all part of learning. It was a great turnout, dozens of kites riden by kids as young as nine, girls and some old enough to know better! There was a strong wind so after three hours of it I reckon I will sleep tonight! Left Ed at home with the dogs.

Cant believe its weekend again! How did I ever manage to fit a job in! I miss work really but you do see life differently when you dont have to rush around like a headless chicken. Hope you all have a good peaceful weekend, leisha

crystalclear over 15 years ago

Hi Leisha
Did you get the phone wires fixed, the gate mended, mad dog back outside and Ed out of the doghouse yet?
rolling1.gif ROFL picture by crystalalbum

Days do seem to fly don’t they, but I can’t say that I miss work as it did take a large junk out of the day. Now we can just please ourselves can’t we, (more or less)? How many grandchildren do you have Leisha? I bet you were flying that kite half the time! Also, how’s Ed’s dumping syndrome now? Is it under control again or is it still cause for concern? I think that this is something that will happen periodically, so I hope that it’s under control ready for your holiday next week.
The cartoons are simple. All you do is find some royalty free, non-copyright clip art and manipulate them in a decent drawing software programme where you can then draw or paint additional things or remove items, add text and be as creative as imagination allows.
Now, I do know it’s your 47 wedding anniversary on Tuesday, and as I might not be at my computer that day, I want to send you and Ed many congratulations for your anniversary and may you have many, many more happy years together. (((((Hugs to you both)))). xx

Anniversarycake.gif picture by crystalalbum

Anniversarycake.gif picture by crystalalbum

Hi Good Year
I hope you’re having a good Bank holiday and able to get out and about visiting people and places. Are you reasonably happy with what your surgeon said? We’ll have to try to think up ways where you might gain some weight, or at least maintain it, because we don’t want you to have to go back to see the doc about it. I do get one very disconcerting symptom sometimes that I’m not sure is related to the dumping, and I’m wondering if you get this also? It’s that occasionally my hands start to shake and I suddenly feel very weak. It’s almost like a hypoglycaemic attack except that all my blood tests were clear. I’ve found that eating or drinking something really sweet stops it almost straight away. It’s not a big deal, nor does it happen often, and I forgot to mention it to my doc along with all the other things Lol. Anyway, let us know what you’re up to and how you are. xx

Hi Ben
You’ve been a little quiet lately and I’m missing your sunny face here. I hope it’s because you’re having too much fun outdoors in your lovely spring weather. Our summer is almost over and really, except for a few days, it’s been a wash out like the last two years, but I happen to like rain.
How’s the shoulder and have you found some relief in any of our suggestions?
I know you have a scan tomorrow so my thoughts will be with you there and I’ll be keeping fingers crossed that all is well. Please come and let us know how it goes Ben. xx

A good evening to anyone looking in.
Love Crystal xx

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