Surviving Oesophageal Cancer

Hi Michael

So sorry to hear you too are following this journey. As a carer the one advice I can give to you is that when Frank has the pre operative assesment that you visit the ICU as this was the one thing i found quite daunting. Cancer backup and Cancer research are sites that provide loads of good information. As each person is individual it is impossible to say how Frank will be feeling after the operation but I can assure you the medical team are brilliant and will be able to answer and reassure him with anything he needs to know. Obviously there will be some discomfort as this is a major operation but just try and take each day as it comes. Try and spend these next few days having quality time with each other. You are not alone in this, I as well as many others on here are walking beside you every step of the way. You may find as I did that posting on here is a great source of help, as Johns family all went back to thier partners after visiting the hospital and I was in this lonely house I found coming here a great form of therapy.
Thinking of you both
Love Sal
xxx

Hi All -
Jo I’m not sure if we’ve chatted before on another thread but I’m so glad that your husband’s doing well after his op. I think it’s a good idea to share and compare notes regarding the surgery and after care as I feel it’s helpful for patients and carers to know what to expect etc.

Hi Michael - I've posted on your thread before in the Chat forum. Just try not to worry too much as Frank will have an expert team looking after him and first class care in the ICU. When he comes round he won't feel any pain at all and will want to sleep quite a bit. After that, he needs to do the breathing exercises on that little machine as this is essential for preventing chest infections, and within a couple of days the staff will encourage him to get up as soon as possible. I'll be thinking of you both on Tuesday and wish you all the best.

Hi Sal - I'm glad that John is continuing to do well and I hope that he can avoid getting acid reflux. I had that quite a bit to begin with but it settled down a lot. I still have Dumping Syndrome though but most people seem to get over this quite quickly whilst others don't get it at all. Whilst I find it debilitating it doesn't rule my life. I'm glad that you come here and find it helpful and I know your posts from a carers point of view will be invaluable in helping others to cope. Hugs to you.

Hi Mick - A big hug to you too x Hope you're doing ok. I'll catch up with you in a week or so. My sis has gone back to Miami and now we have another reunion coming up this weekend until next Thursday, so catch you after that.

Love to all - Crystal xx

Hi Everyone

Back to work tomorrow and although only a few yards from home I'm a bit anxious that it may be too soon although I can nip home whenever I want but I don't want John to feel like I am fussing too much and we both want to get back to normality-whatever that is! Doing our first sunday roast together since the operation and feel so guilty how small the portion is but keep telling myself he can snack afterwards if he feels he needs to.

Michael- will be thinking of you tomorrow when Frank goes in hospital in preperation for his operation, Frank will be looked after marvelously and will have the best care possible, you need to ensure you get plenty of rest (seems impossible I know) and try and get some quality time for yourself, as I said earlier I found this site a great help to me to release how I was feeling and didn't feel so alone, there are great people here who can help you through. xx

Crystal- Hope you are having a great reunion and you had a wonderful time with your sis, hope you're okay and not overdoing things!

Jo- Hope Kev is doing ok and you yourself, good luck with the return to work, I know how you must be feeling, after all these weeks of being there for our partners it feels like abandonment!

Mick- Hope the hangovers have not been too severe! I can't wait to have a few bevvies myself, think I need them!

Love and best wishes to you all
Sal
xxxxxxxx

Hi Jo

Hope you're ok. Work went well yesterday, came home at lunchtime and done John and I some lunch although felt so guilty leaving him to return to work. Diferent today,came home for lunch and John didn't look well at all. keeps having hot flushes although his temp is fine and he was also sick and has no appetite so decided to work from home this afternoon, have managed to get him to eat some toast and a piece of cake and he seems to be a bit brighter, although I know this is going to be a long process it just gets me down and worried when he has off days like this. How is Kev doing? Have you gone back to work yet? such a huge step to take.
Take care, love alwys
Sal
xxxx