Surviving Oesophageal Cancer

Dear Crystal, I like your nice photos. I havent had much news lately as mydad is on vaction till Christmas. He will start chemo/radio in the New year for five weeks. We assuming one course at this stage. I dont know when to expect his surgery??? Would a guess be very soon after the course of chemo/radio? or more likely usually do patients have a longer break until surgery? I know I could ask the doctors but I try and limit what I have to ask them......

Also Li, you posted about the high calorie drinks. Thankyou so much for the tip. Dad is having Sustagen and Ensure to combat weight losss... but after I read your post i did some googling and came across another product by Nestle called benecalorie which is VERY highcal concentrated. This sounds a great idea. Has anyone tried that?  Love to all. MYDAD

Hi everyone hope you are all well and getting ready for christmas. Thanks for the information regarding chemotherapy.  Unfortunatey Roy was supposed to go for a scan yesterday, bloods today and start chemo this Friday but his cough has got worse over the last few days so not sure if it was Roy or the hospital who has decided to reassess in January.  I think Roy is scared of side effects and if it is going to be worth it - he doesnt seem disappointed that he cant start it yet so we will just have to see how the next month goes.  Hope everyone is well xx

Hi Crystal.

Just wanted to say...........LOVE THE CHRISTMAS PICTURE OF YOU AND NICU.  Thanks so much for your Christmas E-Card, it was lovely.  I'd better make a big effort and get my cards out in the post.

Loads of love

Christine xxx

Hi Christine

How lovely to see you here and thanks for your kind comments, I’m glad you liked the ecard.  I still have your elephant postcard you sent to me, because every time I read your description of the beautiful Taj Mahal it makes me laugh.  Do you remember Lol?

How about some Rock Music, is it too early?  Never. Here’s an early morning present for you as we’re both great fans of Kasabian:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wz9siymKwGk

Also, check out this band, I think you’ll like them:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7xgXdJ05IY&feature=related

Anyway Christine, thanks for dropping by here, I hope you’re keeping really well and I wish you and your family Peace and Love this Christmas.

Lots of Love Crystal xx 

Hi Ben and Sharon

Hi Leisha

I’m missing you already!  I know you’ll be looking in if at all possible.  I hope that sunshine is working wonders and that you and Ed are feeling rested and relaxed. You are often in my thoughts, and we’ll catch up when you return.  Peaceful blessings to you and your family this Christmas. xx

Hi Steve

Thanks for your good support this year and for the Demon, which inspires many.  I wish you and your family a peaceful, happy and fun Christmas. xx

To All that post here or look in I hope your Christmas is a gentle, happy and peaceful one.

Love Crystal xx

Hi Crystal, Steve and Liesha

Christmas is upon us with a vengeance. A great time of year to get us all thinking of our loved ones and we have been overwhelmed by the number of forgotten names who seem to be popping out of the woodwork. Makes you realise how lucky we are to have people who care.

Have No.2 daughter visiting for a few days follwed by No.1 on Sat. so will be full on during this fun time.

Things are going well pain wise and I think the radiation treatment is taking effect.Saw radodiologist today and she apologised for underestimating the extent of the damage the tumour had caused so I dont feel such a wimp now and the ball is in my court. 

So it's steady as she goes skipper, as I hope it is with all of you out there!

Relish that christmas spirit 

Cheers Ben and Sharon.

hi all,

hope all is going well with every one,

ben its nice to hear from you i hope your getting on as good as you can be,

crystal what a lovely pic i hope your well

mydad the nestle drinks you have to pay for the nutricia fortisip compact are free on the nhs but gerald has to pay the preciption charge the pharmecy didnt know what they were as there new, but its worth a ask of the gp

gg i hope roy gets of to a good start with the chemo in jan

as for the info on how long after the chemo will the op be given our surgeon said no longer than 3 months but the soon the better, gerald was 4 weeks after last dose of chemo.

i have a question now to pick your brains has any one had dilation?s as always crystal and steve were right best advice as always thank you, gerald had his check today and all ok thank god but he does need dilation im just trying to find out a bit more info like does it hurt and how long for? will he be ok to eat? and have fun over xmas?

and happy xmas to all and a happy new year

take care

li

Gidday Li,

I had  this done afew months ago - 5 mths after Ivor lewis and my throat closed up and I couldn't swallow anything. A gastrsrocopy showed the join up of the oesophageus had healed so well there was less than a 5mm opening.

So 2days later (on fluids only meantime) had it "reamed out" in a painless and simple op and another 3 days on liquids and back to just like new and no problems since.

Trust it goes well for you too. 

Cheers Ben.  

dear Li, Thanks for your answer re the drinks and how long Gerald waited for surgery. I hope gerald's dilation goes smoothly enough. Please tell us how he goes. I hope you have a merry christmas as well. Thankyou very much for sharing your story and telling us how Gerald is going. Wishing you all the best, from mydad xoxox

Hi all, hope everyone is well ?,  not been here again for a while,  dad is still having a hard time, he has now had 5 stretches since his ivor lewis in aug but is still struggling swallowing, he is really fed up at the moment and is very low,  its so hard to stay positive dad is convinced its come back again, dont want this year to end as I may not be able to cope with what next year brings.  Very negative I know but we all now feel like its 22/4/09 all over again.......the day he was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer and our world fell apart

Janet

x

janet try and stay possitive,

gerald is going in for dilation on monday, but im sure if there would be any thing to worry about the hospital would have had your dad in for more tests has he had his 6month check yet? gerald had his on the 18th and he had the op 2 weeks before your dad. try and stay possitive we are the same we worry every time gerald even coughs i have phoned the nurse about a million times in the last 6months!!

you will be in our thoughts over xmas.

take care li

HAPPY XMAS ALL HOPE YOU HAVE A GOOD ONE XXXX