Surviving Oesophageal Cancer

Hi Bacardiwoman

I can remember the pain was excruciating at times, but having the neck line in meant pain relief was quick, I was told they don’t like to keep the darts in for the epidural for more than 5-7 days so was put on a morphine self administrated pump, trouble was the pump was registering a dose when in fact it was not, I was in so much pain the nurse called a doctor, the doctor who looked like she had just left school just said tell him to press the button, which of course I was. I became so distressed the nurse called an anaesthetist down and he gave me something to knock me out.

But now comes the funny part, the guy in the opposite bed was as high as a kite and thought he was in the cinema while I was racked with pain, it turns out that he was getting too much and I was getting nothing!  If he is in pain don’t just accept what the doctors are saying, question them, the truth is he should not be in too much pain if the regime is correct, I did accept the hospitals apology for their oversight but rather they had got it right the first time.

Take Care,

Steve       

Hi Steve

Guess the hospitals dont get it right all the time!  Sorry to hear you had such bad pain before they sorted you out.  Pleased you saw the funny side although guess not funny at the time!

Not a good day today.  He had a bad night and has been on 90% oxygen all day but still showing low levels.  His pain is better and he has coughed a bit.  However they were debating putting another drain in and also another epidural at one point.  Then they said they were moving him somewhere else in ICU and possibly putting him on a ventilator. They asked if I wanted them to ring if it was in the night.  I got myself a bit upset so went for a walk whilst they moved him but they rang to ask me to come back as they were going to do the ventilator now.  Managed to see him briefly before I came home as I had got into a bit of a state and needed to let it out in private.  They rang two hours later to say that he was now sedated but still on high oxygen.  Heres hoping tomorrow finds some improvement.

x

Hi Bacardiwoman

He must be showing signes of stress, so the best thing for him right now is sedation and the ventilator and oxygen will do the hard work for him, he won't be having a tough time right now but you will be, so try and do somthing to take your mind off things, this is not being selfish or uncaring but you won't be much good if you make yourself ill with worry, so have a little me time.

Take care,

Steve

Another horrible day.  Had very bad night, on over 90% oxygen and ventilator.  Have been taken into side room today and told the ventilator is doing all the work for him and without it he wouldnt be alive.  They have managed to lower his oxygen levels and he is on antibiotics for pneumonia.  They hope to try to get him to breathe on his own again by reducing the sedation over the next day or so but have told us he is critical and that they cannot promise anything.  Strangely calm and numb.

Oh my dear Bacardi, how terrible for you to have to go through this.  Try to get some rest tonight as you must be exhausted with the anxiety of it all.  The doctors are fighting for him and let us hope that he rallies round and is able to come up through this.  The doctors have made some progress by lowering oxygen levels, so there is hope there to hold on to.  Let us hope that in the morning he will have made further progress and things will be much more encouraging.

You and your husband are especially in my thoughts and we are here for you.

Sending you both strength to overcome this and healing hugs and vibes.

Crystal xx

Bacardy

I am willing with all my might that there will be an improvment soon, all I can say is hold his hand and talk to him, he needs to hear you positive words.

I will be thinking of you both at this very difficult time, so don't give up hope.

Steve x 

Dear Bacari

I am also thinking of you and your husband and hoping for better news tomorrow.

Steve,

Talking of tomorrow I'll be keeping everything crossed for you...I think you get your scan results then?

Hugs to you and everyone looking in

Sue xxx

Hi Sue

No its the scan tomorrow, results will come later, still I am keeping upbeat because I am feeling better than I did when I phoned the hospital, can still feel a small lump under the arm but this could be a number of things.

Take care,

Steve x 

Update time. Husband been for CT scan today - nightmare to sort due to being on ventilator and having to take everything with them - took over an hour to get it all sorted ready to go down.  No leaks shown up although they cant guarantee there arent small ones.  Told us now likely to remain on life support for a week whilst his lungs get better then hopefully he MAY start to breathe on his own again but at present oxygen levels and dependency levels mean without support he wouldnt be here :(  Wondering whether i should return to work part time for few days in case I need time off more when (if) he wakes....

Good luck for tomorrow Steve.  Hope all goes well.  And thanks everyone for your continued support x

Hi Bacardi

It must be so difficult for you, I can’t imagine.  Take hope that the life support will give the lungs time to repair and internal scars heal, so that your husband will be better able to recover.  My thoughts are with you both and I’m sending you both strength and support to get you through this.  Thanks for thinking of us here and taking the time to update us.

Love and hugs

Crystal xx