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
Apologies for the smirk on my face but sending love and best wishes from sunny Spain
http://community.macmillan.org.uk/media/p/387058.aspx
You little rotter David lol. Enjoy your hoilday you deserve it. Love Maggie xxx
Hi cybershot
You and me in Spain then ? Never mentioned it before , but i have a test for me that i told my oncologist !! i said it costs only 39p and is cheaper than all the scans , endscopy tests etc !! I take a SRT test every week , and that lets me know in my case if the cancer has returned ? at least to the gullet ? So far all good , just keep fingers crossed !!
Cheers Mike
Hello Mike
What is a SRT test where would we have it done
Maggie x
Hi Mike
I'd also be interested in the SRT test? Please could you enlighten us.
Many thanks
Sue x
"Patients whose (early stage prostrate) cancer has spread may need to follow up with what is known as salvage radiation therapy" is what I have read through searching the internet. Most references refer to it in connection with prostrate cancer and I have found mentionof inoperable liver cancer though information is sketchy and I have a inkling it may be also referred to as adjuvant (postoperative) radiotherapy. So let's hope Mike can dot the i's and cross the t's for us.
Cheers
David
Only came out here for a few days (28th - 2nd) r&r but still 'stranded' Mike. But it's hardly an imposition sitting today under blue skies and warm sunshine in shirt sleeves; lunching al fresco in the Plaza Mayor of old town Albox in Andalucia. My team back at St Lukes in chilly Guildford are happy for me to have a capecitabine free holiday and all my other meds are available over the counter at the local farmacia. The CT scan on the 8th is to be re-scheduled after I return on the evening of the 9th using the tickets for the first available Easy Jet seats that we were offered to us when Gatwick closed due to the dire weather. We subsequently paid £1000+ to try and get home immedaitely via Madrid and London on Iberia but that went tits up as well thanks to BA (Fortunately we were refunded in full; no quibble!) So we decided fate decreed us to stay put and enjoy it; witnessing the fiasco of the Spanish ATC strike along the way. We moved from staying with friends in Torrevieja to staying with neighbours who recently sold up and moved out to Andalucia: A two centre package holiday - can't be bad!
I am feeling very well and enjoying everything Spain has to offer by way of food and drink. The side effects from last weeks infusions are minimal and easing especially in this climate.
Salud e hasta leugo
David
Hi Again
We have a place in Andalucia at a place called El Golco , its in the foothills of the Siera Nevada mountains ,a paradise , try to spend as much time as poss over there !!
This SRT test was mentioned only because i can tell if my Cancer returns !! May not be of assistance to all though ? My first indications of my problem was while sitting in my van at work 21/2 years ago trying to eat a sausage roll , just would't go down and lots of pain behind the breast bone . Now of course i know that was the start of my problem big time . So now every week i buy a 39p Sausage Roll , sit and eat it , so far now have no problem , so its ok for now ? Next CT scan Feb , so lets hope that confirms my own SRT proceedure ( Sausage Roll Test )
My Cancer leason nurse , says that if i were operated on in the first place , then i would probably have suffered more over the past few years , and when i did ask my oncologist if i could now have an op ? he just said , what on ? there is absolulty nothing there at this time , just go enjoy life !! and that is what i am doing !! However i am not under any illusion that i am cured , as my surgeon did say that only an operation is a possible cure , but he couldn't do it , so thats when i just went to the oncologist who did his magic , and made it dissapear for now !!!!
Will keep all up to date in the future !!
Cheers
Mike
Hi Mike
I love it ...so will my husband who feels rather annoyed when he's inconvenienced by various grows/scans/tests.
All the best
Sue x
To All who post here or those looking in, may the New Year bring you Happiness, Hope, Peace and Love.
Very Best wishes
Happy New Year
Crystal xx
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