Recent diagnosis

Hi Ella_1 and warm welcome to the Macmillan Online Community although sorry that you had to find us and especially sorry to hear about your husbands ongoing diagnosis.

As each cancer is very different you may find talking with others who are walking the same type of cancer treatment journey will help you navigate this challenging time.

The Community is organised into support groups so can I recommend you join our supportive Gullet (oesophagus) cancerrain tumour group as this will be a good place to connect with patients and families navigating the same type of cancer journey.

To join a group just click on the link above then choose 'click to join' or 'join' (depending on the device you're using) on the page that opens.

You can then introduce yourself by putting up a ‘New Thread’ or hit the box with the X on the top right (phones), you could just copy and paste the text from this your first post. You can also join in with existing ‘Discussions’ by clicking on 'reply'. 

It’s always good to talk and the Macmillan Support Services provides lots of information, support, financial guidance or just a listening ear.

Most services are open 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week and it's free to call on 0808 808 00 00 have a look by Clicking here to see what is available and we also have our Ask an Expert section, but do allow two working days for replies from our expert team.

To find information covering diagnosis, treatments and pages covering most types of cancers can be found on our Online Information and Support Section. 

All the very best to your husband.

Ella,

I wish good recovery for your husband.  Every patient is different, but here is my experience--

In May, 2018, I was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus at the distal end (at opening to stomach) by means of endoscope and biopsy. 

First symptom (regurgitation) was in December, 2017, then again in January, 2018.  Swallowing problems became more frequent and severe so that by April-May--  great difficulty with swallowing and much regurgitation.  Swallow test during fluoroscopy, then another fluoro, followed by endoscopy and biopsy...then PET scan/CT scan.  A surgeon, an oncologist, and family physician reviewed--  I was told that "I have about six months...get affairs in order...palliative care is recommended...."  I declined consideration for surgery.

The palliative treatment was to be 8 chemo sessions (once a week) over an eight week period.  Chemo:  Taxol and Carboplatin.  Concurrently during chemo--  radiation on Varian Truebeam for 14 sessions over a four week period.  (Each session--  two minutes approx for full rotation and return).

My radiation oncolologist suggested instead "go for the cure...instead of palliative".  Increase radiation from 14 to 28 session (8 weeks).

I agreed to the suggestion and completed all treatment near end of August, 2018.

After about completing two weeks of treatment--  I was able to swallow normally...and continue to this day!

Now it is more than two years since I completed treatment.  I do have chronic shortness of breath and fatigue (so I take a 15 minute nap a couple times a day)--  but every day is a good day!

During chemo and radiation--  I only experienced one day of feeling bad--  exreme weakness.  My blood test are abit on the low side--  low in red, white platlets, hemoglobin (chemo effects on marrow)...and I have scar tissue at bottom lobes of both lungs right and left (radiation).

I have blood tests and CT scans every 6 months now.  

I hope that your husband does as well as I did--  or better.