Oesophagus cancer and alcohol

Hi  and welcome to the Online Community although I am sorry to hear about your husbands diagnosis and the challenges your are dealing with.

Alcohol and chemotherapy are not a good match, his clinical team will most likely be having words about this especially due to the type of cancer he has.

A cancer diagnosis in the family can be such a stressful and challenging time but I do hope you will find the community a safe place to get support and ask your questions.

The Community is divided into support groups (discussion rooms) so can I suggest you consider joining our supportive Gullet (oesophagus) cancer group. This is a safe place to talk to others who may have a similar diagnosis, treatment experience, to ask questions and get support from others who are supporting family members.

If you'd like to connect in with a group click on the Green (BOLD) link I have created above. Once the group page opens click on the black banner that says [click to join] at the bottom, or the [Join] button under "Group tools."

You can then introduce yourself by putting up a ‘new post’ by clicking in the box near the top right with + New or + (Depending on the device you are using) and you are ready to go. You could copy and paste the text from this post into your new post.

When it comes to the practical and emotional challenges of supporting someone you may also benefit from joining our general Family and friends and Carers only groups where you will connect with others navigating the same challenges.

Macmillan have many support services so do check out the Macmillan Support Line is open 8am-8pm (timings may differ across services) 7 days a week on 0808 808 00 00. These services provide cancer information, practical information, emotional support, benefits/financial guidance or just a listening ear.

We also have our Ask an Expert section but do allow a few working days for a reply.

Talking to people face to face can be very helpful so do check to see if you have any Local Macmillan Support in your area, do also check for a local Maggie's Centre as these folks are amazing supporting all the family.

Please do get back to me if you need further help.

All the very best.

Hi Sketcher,

I'm really sorry that you find yourself here.

I don't know much about the cancer that your husband has as I have breast cancer but I do know about alcoholism. Both my parents, my sister and my first husband are/were alcoholics. 

It sounds like an incredibly hard time for you at the moment. It's already difficult to be in a relationship with an addict but cancer brings a whole other set of difficulties. It also sounds like you've literally doing all that you can do. What you're doing is enough. 

As they say, you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink. That's been my experience when dealing with my nearest and dearest in their addictions. They have had to come to their own realisations and take responsibility for their own actions. I can't do that for them. 

My best advice for you is to carry on being loving and supportive but to get help for yourself. You need support through this too. People often forget the carers. Reaching out on here is a great place to start. Al anon would be something to look into. The Macmillan helpline are worth a call, they might be able to offer assistance. The Samaritans are also very good, you don't have to be suicidal to call them and they will listen without judgement.

I don't know if I've helped at all but I feel your pain. 

Stay strong.

Mads xx

Thanks so much for your kind words. I've been trying to find out what is happening in hospital but getting no where I just get shund by nurses. I'm going to try to speak to specialist on Monday when he comes In. 

Hi,

Fingers crossed that you get the information you need. It sounds very frustrating to be given the brush off by the nurses. 

Best of luck for tomorrow. I'm sure the specialist will want to help you.

Mads xx