Am I fast tracked

Hi Alan  and welcome to the Online Community, although I am sorry to see you finding us and so sorry to hear about your diagnosis.

Were you fast tracked?........ lets say the NHS System was working well over the past few weeks.

I had a different cancer journey but one thing I started on day one in 1999 was a note book or all the questions buzzing in my head and also I kept a note of all the information I received...... this helps you not miss things.

I see that you have joined our very supportive Gullet (oesophagus) cancerrain tumour group. This is the place that will open up your concerns to a wider audience who know exactly what you are going through at the moment.

Just follow the link I have created then go to the 'Start a Discussion' tab and set up your very own Discussion and introduce yourself to the group and ask your questions.

You may find our various Macmillan Support Line Services to be helpful - call them on 0808 808 00 00 This free service covers Emotional Support, Practical Information. Clinical Information, Financial Support and Work Guidance mostly open 8.00 to 8.00 but check the link.

We also have our ‘Ask an Expert’. section where you can post questions to our mostly Volunteer Experts but please allow 2 working days to get a reply.

Our Online Information and Support Section  is a good place to find information covering cancer diagnosis, treatments and pages covering most types of cancers.

Talking to people face to face can help a lot so check to see if you have any Local Macmillan Support in your area or a Maggie’s Centre as these folks are amazing.

All the very best.

Hi Alan

i know what you’re going through. I moved to the UK from Bermuda in July and in August I was diagnosed with rectal cancer. I too was asked if I had questions but couldn’t think straight at that point. So I called the nurse/surgeon with all the questions I had and they explained everything to me. I just had my radiotherapy and will have my re-scans in January to schedule my surgery. I would recommend you calling your specialist/ nurse and ask all the questions you have. 

Reach out anytime if you beed our need to talk and good luck.

anac-c

Thank you very much for your reply, the contacts and advice you have given is helpful guidance, my head is all over the place, my doctor as given me some sleeping tablet's so hopefully with a good night sleep I can return to this caring Macmillan website.in a less panicked state. Sorry if I come across confused.

Thank you again.

Alan ( chuddy )

I will do just that phone my specialist nurse, is that the Macmillan nurse who gave me her contact card when I was told about the oesophagus cancer ? I have talked with no one received no calls just this appointment for next Thursday.

Alan

No worries. Your reaction to news you got is normal. The Big C is quite difficult to take. It took me weeks to accept the fact that I have it specially when I just had open heart surgery less than a year when I was diagnosed with the big C. I keep thinking what else am I going to face. 

My first question I asked my specialist was Can I be cured? And what stage? And what should I expect?

i wish you all the luck. Get a good nights sleep and take one day at a time.

reach out anytime you need to talk.

anac-c

Hi again Alan.

Once you have some clear information and a treatment plan the whirlwind in your head will calm down - it will.

You do need to prepare for your next appointment with his team. The note book is the place where you record EVERY question that comes to mind. The note book goes to all appointments and when the Consultant says ‘have you any questions?’ the note book comes out.

Aa you have realised, you can freeze at this point and are overwhelmed by information. So with the help of your note book you can say ‘yes we have some question’ you go through each question one by one, making sure you write down all the answers you get. If you don’t understand something you stop the Consultant and ask them to put into language that you understand and remember the record everything they say and again if you don't understand, fold your arms and say 'explained that so we understand' You don't want to be going home after an appointment saying 'I wish we has asked ........'

The note book also helps your sleep!! As these questions often come at silly-o’clock so get the note book out and write the thoughts down and park them.

Is there anyone that can go with you as it does help a lot as two pair of ears take in far more and the onlooker will catch the stuff the patient will not hear, but you will be assigned a Specialist Nurse so make sure you get all their contact information so you can continue to get your questions answered

The note book should have questions like:

What are the proposed treatments Chemo, Radiotherapy......?

What are the names of the Chemo Regime?

How many cycles of Chemo and how long will each cycle last?

Does this require inpatient time (over night)

How many sessions of Radiotherapy and how long will all the treatments take?

Will you have an operation - get some details - recovery time?

Remember to express any reservations about treatments........ an example - I have Spinal Osteoarthritis so I found out in the early stages of my radiotherapy that I had to take some pain killers an hour before I had my treatments as I found it hard and painful to lay on the radiotherapy table for long periods of time.

Do post in the group you have joined as these folks do understand.

Yes call the Macmillan nurse. And when you see your specialist make sure to list your questions 

Thanking you anac-c I am now taking my sleeping pill and will return tomorrow evening ready to learn it is the unknown and without support that is scaring me.

Bye for now and good night

Alan

Thank you Mike, I am now swallowing my tablet and hoping for a good night sleep, thanks again Mike you and anac-c have given me some peace of mind, good night Alan