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

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    Hi Bacardy

    I am so pleased for you both, now you can concentrate on the road to recovery, you deserve a break from the many days of doom now things are moving in the right direction.

    Steve x 

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    So lovely to wake up today and see some good news from Bacardi and Maisie.  Hope everyone looking has a great day.

    Steve, when will you know results? x

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    Hi sue

    I should think at least another week, I hope everything is well with you and Deter.

    Take care,

    Steve x

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    Hmmmm oxygen requirement back up, more reliant on ventilator again, sedation and morphine all back up today :-(  There is still mention of them doing a tracheotomy possibly Monday.  Gosh its one step forward and two back!!!

  • Hi Bacardiwoman

    I’m keeping everything crossed that today is the day where your husband can tip that fine balance in his favour and start to breath unaided with less sedation.  You are being very brave as it’s a struggle to watch and wait with someone fighting in Intensive Care.  I hope you are able to find that inner calm and strength you had earlier and find support in those there with you.  We are all rooting very hard for you.

    Crystal xx

     

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to crystalclear

    Hi Bacardiwoman

    Hoping better news today, Shaun not so good yester - hi temp, tingly legs feeling rotten.  Today off to Royal Hallamshire for MRI as ours doesn't do these scans on wk end.

    Best wishes to all who are going through or have gone through these worrying days.

    xxxx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    Hi Jazzjohn

    Best wishes for your treatment.  My husband had Ivor-Lewis surgery 3 wks ago, doing not too bad at mo after some complications.  Like u his cancer was found by accident whilst undergoing tests for something else.

    Stay positive and keep the laughter going

    Best regards

    xxxxxxxxx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

     

     

     

  • Hi jazzjohn

    I missed seeing your last posting here until Maisiebird replied above.  I’m glad that you have a positive outlook and enjoy a laugh in spite of the illness.   Laughter, to my mind, is essential and healthy, so I’m a firm advocate of its benefits, although there are times of course when it’s just not possible.  Those are the days to just go with the flow, absorbing the best bits if possible.  Keep posting and I hope you’re having a good day today.

    Crystal

  • Hi Maisiebird

    Hopefully, Shaun’s temperature will drop to normal very soon.  I think there are sometimes fluctuations in temperatures, I had the alarm bells bleeping once, but the temperature fell after a few hours.  I’d never seen Mr J or the team move so fast hehehe.  Let us know how the MRI goes and I hope the tingly legs are nothing to worry about.

    Crystal xx