Stent experiences

Hi , I've heard of several people having a stent fitted and it does seem to make a huge difference. I hope your friend's scan is good news.

LoobyLou x

Hi, Bridie

So sorry to hear about your friend.  I’m surprised the consultant put a timescale on the situation.  It must be very worrying.  

If he is fitted with a stent, it could help considerably, although it’s not always straightforward.

My husband had reached a point where he could barely swallow at all, but once he had one fitted, things improved overnight.

He had begun non-surgical treatment for oesophageal cancer in January this year.  He reacted badly to his first round of chemo, and had to be admitted to hospital.  He was in a very sorry state and had lost about a stone in weight. That was when the stent was inserted.  

Gradually, he began to put on weight.  Eating was still not easy, and he had to be careful with the type of food he ate, but at least it was possible.

The next round of treatment was a month’s course of chemo / radiotherapy.  It all went well at the time of treatment, but a week or so afterwards, he began having problems with overproduction of mucus. This gradually worsened, and he started having swallowing difficulties again.  And losing weight, of course.

His scan showed no sign of the cancer, however, and it was decided to remove the stent - possibly with a view to replacing it.

They took it out almost two weeks ago, and since then, he’s a changed man.  He still has to eat more slowly than he used to, and swallowing is a conscious process, but he is now eating what he used to eat before cancer. And he has put on more than a stone since the stent was inserted. What’s more, he has regained energy and strength.  And he is so much more positive.

He’s not out of the woods yet though. He’s waiting for the results of a biopsy, and the consultant was pretty sure he’d need to go in again  for stretching or fitting of a new stent.  The scarring from the radiotherapy may cause the tissue to contract, and constricts the oesophagus, apparently.

I hope this is of some use to you, and that your friend gets some good news soon.

Chris

Hi Bridie 

My first reaction was WOW! and my second was, Surely that is not right? My husband was advised in May that he may have months or he  may have months and months, but so far he is doing extremely well.. He never had a stent fitted, so I am unable to give you any guidance there. He was on smoothies and mashed food for some time, but once chemo started he began to eat again and continues to do so.

It has been a while since your post, so I hope your dear friend has had more favourable news. 

Good Luck.