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

  • Yes, I have your pm now in my private email account!!  That's not right is it?  We should be notified of any pms and have to log into the site to retrieve them.  Which leaves only two reasons now why I haven't had any replies, awww, I'm starting to feel sorry for myself now ;)  xx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to crystalclear

    Hi, this is my second reply to your post on surviving os................  I dont know where the other one went. I tried to read it and pressed "next" at the bottom of the page and got a different discussion altogether. i cant stop laughing!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think I might be hysterical!!!!!!!. Have you got my PM yyet sent 10 mins ago. and check your normal email site as I have to alternate between that and this site,more laughter!!!!!!! ((((((((((((((((((((h)))))))))))))))))))))) xx

  • Leisha, I've also posted an idea for discussions in the Oesophageal Cancer Group.  So if you go into Groups and find that discussion you could write a reply to my question there. xx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to crystalclear

    do you always have this much fun late at night? no wonder you have no energy for housework during the dya, lol.That should read day. and is this a test me to try to find the group thingy? well here goes. see ya soon, ha ha.

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    Hi again, have joined the "gullet" group, at least I can spell that rather than the "o" word,lol. Tried to post a reply on there but got an error message 3 times. so couldnt.

    Still looking for your reply to PM. If I find it I will return the message as a PM otherwise nite nite as Im not used to being up so late! love leisha, much cheered, thanks xxxxxxx

  • Hi Leisha, the fun this late at night is caused by my kittencat scabbling up the vertical blinds and swinging from the top and landing on hubby's keyboard hahahaha.   He has a mad 15 minutes every night and likes to attack your  feet and the telephone, then empties the waste paper baskets to climb inside.  Got to go now too, as I'm quite tired.  Good night to All and a Good Morning to Ben xx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to crystalclear

    Hi everyone,

    Still having fun finding my way around!!  I had zillions (well millions ) of  macmillan emails this morning and don't know how to stop them but no sweat I will figure it out  eventually.

    To answer your question Crystal on how many candles on my cake the answer is TOO MANY!!!  but more accurately I will have reached the biblical 3 score years and ten. Next target is our 50th wedding anniversary in November 2010.So exciting times ahead!!

    Take care out there.  Cheers Ben.

     

     

  • Hi Ben, You can never have too many candles on your cake, but you can have too much cake.  I’m not sure yet how to turn off all your email notifications either, but if you do you won’t know when you’ve received a message or when there is a post here.  You can find this thread by adding it to your favourites and then it will sit there on your Home page.  To do this you will see a little green tag above this post called More.  Click on that and click add to favourites.  Hope you’re feeling good Ben. xx

     

    Hi Leisha

    How was Ed doing today and did the doctors give you any news as to how they are going to proceed?  I do hope that the pain is under control and that he’s far more comfortable than he’s been lately.  Try not to wear yourself down.  I’m thinking of you so send me a pm whenever you want.  We’ve still no results for my mum yet either so tomorrow is another day.

     

    Hi Steve

    If you’re looking in we all send hugs and hope all is well.  I’ve written to Admin to ask where your post got to, as it’s strange that it should disappear like that.  Never mind, just come back soon and post some more as we are getting concerned about your absence. xx

     

    Hi Wendy

    If you are looking in too, how are you doing?  Drop by and let us know as I often think about you.  In fact, I’ll send you a pm tomorrow. xx

     

    To All, have a pleasant evening and a peaceful night.

     

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to crystalclear

    Hi Crystal

    Bill's app went ok they have told us his cough which we thought he had got rid of is in fact caused by acid reflux irritating the scar tissue and should get better with right meds apart from that everything seems to be alright the next one beging of Jan 2010.

    Am I the only one to find this quick reply types up really slowly I find it reall annoying as I like to read as I type and  at this rate it will be dinner time before I am finished , never mind at least I have got this far.

    Nora x

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to crystalclear

    Hi, Can any of you have a look at Kimberley 12 message on Oesophageal stretching thread and give her some advice.  Cheers, Karen x