Surviving Oesophageal Cancer

Hi Ben
I see the weather is a bit nippy down in your part of the world, I seem to remember from climatology class that you get southerly busters, still shouldn’t affect a young sea dog like you! I hope everything is good with you and Sharon and that your tests show up normal. Keep enjoying those seaside walks and I hope the the shoulder is behaving itself.

All the Best

Hi Wendy
Welcome to the thread, it is not long since your operation, so don’t be too hard on yourself, things do get better but it takes time, I am 17 months post op and even up to a few months ago I wondered if things would ever feel normal again. I still struggle to eat and have problems maintaining my weight, but hey I am still here. In my experience things sometimes look like they are improving, then sometimes I feel that I am going backwards, and other times I feel like I am on a plateau, I think this is normal considering the bashing our bodies have taken. I feel that I have been on the rise a little but still battle with fatigue. You have the added complication of being diabetic which can’t help especially as eating is such a problem now. About 18 months before I was diagnosed with cancer I was told that I was diabetic, I changed my eating habits lost some weight and luckily have returned to normal, I admit I am now 6 stone lighter now; I used to love my food but up until very recently found eating a real chore, but just lately I am getting moments when I look forward to something to eat. It is good you have support at home and funnily enough my hot water bottle was a good friend to me because I was constantly shivering with the cold even on a sunny day, just found it hard to keep my feet and hands warm even wearing two pairs of socks, just no meat on the old bones these days.

Take care

Hi Richard
Also welcome to the thread, well it is only natural that you are worried about the cancer returning, especially as you have kids, but the most important thing is that you feel well, have quality of life and things are gradually improving. The only thing I can say about fear is don’t let it hold you hostage, I have more time for a parasite than I do cancer, at least a parasite just wants to survive and has no design of killing the host, but cancer is mindless in its destruction but unlike a parasite harder to remove. Fear causes stress, use your mind to kick it into touch, you can’t forget what you have been through, but to fear the cancers return is akin to showing it some respect this most unworthy advocate just does not deserve.

I get my down days where I feel sorry for myself, it’s an indulgence I need from time to time, however my biggest driver that keeps me going is the prospect of being normal again and the fact I have taken something positive from the experience. I.e. I am a lot wiser and I am more appreciative of the little things in life.

Keep well

Hi Leisha
Happy anniversary, I bet Ed would be well and truly in the dog house if he forgot that one. I hope the champagne flowed in copious amounts and you are both looking forward to your trip. The kite flying sounded good the other day, you sound like you enjoy the grandkids company and that’s a good thing.

Best regards to Ed.

Hi Crystal
You certainly are getting about lately, I can’t remember ever visiting York, but from what I know it’s a pretty place, I like all that old world charm, and just relaxing watching people go by. I have been trying to decorate one of the bedrooms, the previous owner decorated it for a little girl, it had pink fairies, frogs, butterflies, toad stools and all manner of things covering the walls and ceiling, all very nice but no thought as to who will have to redecorate, it took six coats of paint just to restore the ceiling, what a damn nightmare.

Take care and a good night to everyone else looking in.

Steve

Ps. I get the feeling with all that stretching that I won’t be able to stand up straight tomorrow; I had better pop some pain killers before I go to bed.

Hi Wendy
It’s good to hear that the tumour was caught early and that you didn’t need further treatment. It was the same for me too, although the tumour was quite large at 7cm. The surgery you had is the most radical and that’s why I said that you’re doing really well just four months post op. You’ll find that you have really good days and then just when you think all is well, there’s a setback of some sort where you feel really ill for a few days. All this is normal, but I know people understandably get worried about it. Your main aim is to gain weight gradually and from what you say it seems your daughter has this in hand, and it’s great that she is looking after you like that. Have you settled into the foods you can eat and those you find you can’t eat? Again, this is trial and error and can take some time. I couldn’t put on weight for almost a year, but then slowly started to fill out simply because I was able to eat more.
Steve made a good point in that sometimes, quick food is essential because that small window of when you feel like eating can all too soon disappear by having to wait for it, so it’s worth having ready meals and snacks available.
Are you sleeping ok and you have loads of pillows, and I hope you’ve got the essential V shaped pillow?
I hope this message finds you feeling good this evening. All you have to do is sleep when you feel like it and do gentle things during the day. xx

Hi Richard,
I hope all is well and if there is anything at all you want to join in with, either with advice for us, or to ask about somthing, then please do. xx

Hi to Ben and Steve, and Leisha on hols
have a good and restful day and evening.

To all looking in, a pleasant evening and a good night’s sleep.
Love Crystal xx