Help! Not seeming to get any answers?

Hi, T3 N1 M0 sounds good to me and I think it is a curative path. Tell your dad to stop being so stubborn and that it's unfair to you not letting you know what is going on. You need to be kept in the loop and he needs to stop keeping you out. He probably thinks that he is protecting you and doesn't realise how it's affecting you. Show him this and give him a slap. I was T3 N2 M0 staging and I decided against chemotherapy, I had the surgery only and here I am 4 years later and enjoying being alive. I did not worry about how long I had left, I just concentrated on getting through the surgery. After that I concentrated on getting stronger and recovering. He could be around for a long time yet, having a positive attitude will help him get through this. Regarding the surgery,if you want to know what is the procedure there's a few of us here that can tell you of our experience. So it's not about how much time he has left, it's about focusing on living. Give him a slap from me and tell him that he will get through this and can have a good quality of life after the surgery. I count every day as a blessing, it's great to still be alive. Kind regards Frank.

Hi Frank,

thank you for making me feel so much better!! I am going to show him this message and your story and hope this sinks into him and he can come out of his denial! 

it’s so inspiring listening to your story and how you have fought this awful disease, Your right everyday is a blessing for all of us, we should really enjoy this beautiful world! 

Take care and as we approach surgery I may bend your ear again if that’s ok?

Ria

Hi Ria

My dad had the same staging as your dad, he had the operation over 5 years ago now and is still doing well. 
I think it is always good to hear stories of hope and positive outcomes.

Take care

Hannah

Hi Ria, 

It sounds to me as though your dad has been offered FLOT chemo then Ivor Lewis surgery? This is a curative treatment pathway. I was diagnosed T4aN2M0 before exploratory surgery (laparoscopy) and my staging was confirmed as T3N2M0 after it was seen that my tumour was resting on my diaphragm and my cancer had not spread to my diaphragm. This was March 2018. I am now in remission after FLOT --> sugery --> FLOT. 

I think they have your dad's cancer early, so his chances of a full recovery should be good?

Hi, this sounds very encouraging to hear! I really hope this is the pathway he is on! The Doctor did say that His colleague Doctor Tang is an expert and does 100 of these types of surgery a year. He just didn’t want to talk about that until the time, I guess this makes sense! 

They haven’t mentioned what Chemo it will be, only that it will be 4 lots over a 8 week period. 

After the laparoscopic they said my dad will meet with the oncologist to go through it and he will need more blood tests.

Thank you for your message it means a lot!

take care and I may have more questions as the time comes for the surgery, if you don’t mind? 

Hi Hannah,

yes it’s so lovely to hear all these positive stories! It fills me with hope!!

i am happy your dad is doing so well, it’s such a long journey!

Take care 

I just want to add my dad had his operation at Broomfield xx

My husband had the Ivor Lewis surgery 3 weeks ago, his staging was T4a N0 M0.  He had 4 cycles of flot over 8 weeks. They started his chemo within 10 days of staging laparoscopy, then had a 6 week break after chemo before having surgery. 

We are now waiting on histology to see if he needs more chemo after. We were told the surgery is curative so that's what we are going with, hope all goes well for your dad. Look after yourself x

Hello,

I must first ask how is your husband after surgery? What a journey and all in the middle of the Coronavirus! Wow 10 days after Laparoscopy, to be honest my dad wants the chemo now! He feels if they leave it much longer it will spread. 

I really hope my dad has the same outcome as your husband, it’s so difficult not knowing anything.

All I’m doing is sneaking full fat food in the house and into his meals and drinks, as they keep telling me he needs to pile on the weight as when he starts chemo it can really effect eating! 

thank you for your reply and I wish your husband a speedy recovery from his surgery! 

Hi Ria, I'm glad you are feeling better. Please feel free to ask anything else and you will get someone to answer your questions. Kind regards Frank.