Recent Diagnosis

Hi,

My father is currently 66 years old and 6 weeks ago, as a family, we found out he has Oesophageal cancer.

Since the endoscopy it has felt like an eternity with our whole world being turned upside down. The initial scan revealed a 10cm tumour where further tests were required to understand whether the cancer had spread anywhere else. There were concerns surrounding his lymph nodes but doctors needed to investigate further. Since the initial scan we have waited 2 weeks to conduct the PET scan, which took place on Tuesday. Again, we need to wait another week before we know whether the cancer has spread and what the next steps could be.

My father has since stopped eating and has had to be hospitalised twice due to dehydration and low sugar levels. He is back at home now taking in minimal calories and finding it difficult to speak. He is completely bedbound and the waiting is making things worse. I am so scared that even if we can start treatment he wont be well enough to go through it as he is already incredibly weak. Is this something I should be worrying about? He is eating so little at the moment I'm worried he isn't going to make it to the first round of treatment if it is too much longer. Has anyone else experienced this and what happened?

I also am scared about his mental health at this point. He seems very defeated already and I dread to think what he is going through knowing the 2 different scenarios we're currently faced with, neither being easy. I do not live locally and am torn between going to stay with my parents and leaving them to have some time together. I don't know if I make him sad going back as I get very upset when I first see him and when I have to say goodbye. Trying to navigate this without knowing what we're facing and without a plan for so long is torture.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated as at the minute I really cannot focus on anything else.