I'm 53 years young and I was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer at Easter this year 2019. I was devestated as I've always been a fit individual who has never been in hospital since I was 5 years old. It's really rocked the family and myself of course. It's been a totally bewildering rollercoaster since easter.. Pet ct scans.. Endoscopic ultrasound.. Laparoscopy procedure and having a Picc line fitted has really frightened me but in my mindset I've got to roll with it and get on with whatever comes my way. I know that my tumour is operable so this is my goal now. I start chemo on Wednesday next week and I'm petrified to say the least.. I've only ever had paracetamol in my life and the thought of all these medicines being put in my body is scaring me.. Once chemo starts I'm hoping I'm well and I can get back to my job and get my sanity back.
Paul
Hi Paul and welcome to the Online Community, although I am so sorry to see the circumstance that brought you here and so sorry to hear you are starting treatment for oesophageal cancer.
A cancer diagnosis can bring a lot of stress on a family but talking with people who are on the same journey will help a lot.
My cancer journey was rather different but I did have a PICC Line and few Hickman Lines for many months and had no problem with them and it reduces the need for lots on needles in your arms.
You may like to follow this link to our Gullet (oesophagus) cancer Forum where you will connect with people who understand the journey your are on. You can ask the folks questions about treatments, what to expect.
Follow the link and join the group. To do this hit the ‘Join the Group’ tab just under the main group name. At this point go to the right on the group home page and select how you want to receive email notifications when someone answers your posts. If in the future you don’t want to receive notifications just switch off the email notifications tab.
The BEST WAY to get support is to go to the 'Start a Discussion' tab just under the main group name. Set up your own Discussion and Introduce yourself to the group - you could just copy an paste what you have in this first post.
Have a look through our various Macmillan Support Line Services then call them on 0808 808 00 00 to be very helpful covering Emotional Support and Practical Information. Clinical Information and 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.
We also have our Online Information and Support Section where you will find some great pages covering the cancer diagnosis, treatment and information 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 Groups in your area or a Maggie’s Centre as these folks are amazing.
It is worth putting some information in your profile. This really helps others when answering. It also means that you don't have to keep repeating yourself.
To do this click on YOUR username, look to the left and select 'Edit Profile'. Put as much or as little in your profile and you can amend it at any time - REMEMBER hit the big green SAVE before you leave the page. If you're not sure what to write you can take a look at any members profiles by clicking on their username.
All the best.
Hi Ruth.. I hope everything goes OK for you tomo when you see the oncologist and surgeon.. Keep that chin up 
speak soon
Paul
