A question about my diagnosis

Hi there,

I'm sorry to hear of your diagnosis and the worry you must be feeling right now. Each treatment plan is tailored differently according to the individual case. I'm happy to hear scans so far have shown no spread of the cancer. I was diagnosed in April 2018, I was struggling to even swallow smoothies by that time. I totally understand the panic of just wanting something done, it's so understandable you feel that way. I had to have a week in hospital getting a feeding tube fitted, all the time just wanting them to cut the cancer out. I didn't have keyhole surgery before the big op but had an ultrasound endoscopy to check for spread, then the 8wks chemo. The chemo shrank the tumour enough for me to eat again then it was about 6wks wait before the op. Then another 6 weeks before the 4 wks radiotherapy. I only tell you all this to let you know these seemingly endless and threatening feeling in-between treatment times are a normal part of the plan. The teams of specialists will be coordinating it all in your best interests and well aware of the tumour's possible growth rate. It is best they know as much as possible before getting on with the treatment because it's such a thorough plan with the intention of getting rid of it once and for all. I'm so sorry you're at the beginning of this course of treatment. It definitely does feel better once they start getting on with things but I hope you know many others have been through similar process and come out the other side with much improved health and hopeful futures. It's a slow recovery but it's worth it. I really hope you get all the reassurance and support you need along the way. Wishing you peace and strength to take each day as it comes and treat yourself with much kindness and care. B

Hi Mikepho1,

Your diagnosis sounds identical to my dads, I can tell you that my dad also had the laparoscopy before chemo as the surgeon wanted a good look inside my dad before they started any treatment! I think this is the worst part as you just want to get started but everything has a timescale and lots of things will be happening behind the scenes even though you feel kept in the dark. Can I ask where are you based? My dad had his surgery in Chelmsford Essex. 
Please don’t be prettified, I know it’s easy to say! Once you start the chemo that will stun the cancer ( in my dads case it shrunk the tumour and stopped it from spreading) . 
Do you have a cancer nurse specialist as they will advise you and tell you that the timescales are normal for this type of cancer. 
my dads case was borderline so the surgeon wanted a better look inside although the pet/CT scan are to see if spread it doesn’t always show up the tiny cells under 1mm so the surgeon like to go in and look at the organs surrounding and any lymph nodes that look swollen or infected. My dad was an outpatient for the laparoscopy and the good news was that he then went on to have key hole surgery for the big op rather than the full Ivor Lewis, the surgeon basically went back on the same holes to remove the tumour and make a new gullet! It still blows my mind how they can do this very tricky surgery in that way! 

Just wanted to give you some positive news that my dad had his all clear scan, so hang in there, it’s a long road but it is doable! Ask lots of questions and make sure you get support from friends and families. 

Hi Mike,

Don't fret about what you have told us.

All they want to do is make sure that keyhole surgery is right for you. The cancer hadn't spread 3 weeks ago. And be absolutely sure, a PET scan would have found it. A 2 week wait is good, they are on the case. Obviously, the quicker things are put in motion, the better your cancer won't spread. I wouldn't dare say you are fine, but the speed of the treatment suggests they want to prevent spreading. As I always say, " Don't worry until you have something to worry about". Easy for me to say, I know that, but it's a good mindset to have. Those scans are what you need to focus on, great results, So please think positively, My thoughts are with you, it's the wait that puts fear into the mind. But you're wait is short, so please keep calm, it'll be over before you know.it. And ask away if you still feel terrified, lots of people will have been through this, they can answer with facts, not just guesswork.

Rooting for you Mike,

Best wishes,

Graeme. 

Just read the previous post, that is absolutely full of great info. And I hope it will put you at ease. I could not have worded it any better. Keyhole is a viable option, as said above, the Ivor Lewis is approx 9 hours long. They don't charge like private hospitals, but in 2006 my dad had the Ivor Lewis op, & I was told by a good source that it costs £37,000.00. Keyhole is so much less invasive. Oh, please please don't surf the net for answers on all sites. Always speak to people here. Because you won't get duff info. 

Regards,

Graeme.

With thanks to " My Dad Is My World" for his great post.

Hi Mikepho1, 

Similar to Bernbe  I too was diagnosed in April 2018 with type 2 (junction) adenocarcinoma Oesophageal cancer. I was initially diagnosed as T4N2M? but after exploratory endoscopic (keyhole) surgery my diagnosis was put to T3N2M0 as my tumour was resting on my diaphragm and the cancer had not spread to my diaphragm. Due to he  reduction of my diagnosis from T4 to T3 I was offered a curative treatment and am still in remission. The endoscopic exploratory surgery is common for diagnosing oesophageal cancer and not only allows the surgeons to access our disease but also lets the surgeons and anaesthetists access the likelihood of us tolerating the major surgery ahead.