Still not eating

Three years ago I finished chemo and radiation for esophageal cancer at the distal end where it joins the stomach.  When the cancer was diagnosed in May, 2018, I was no longer able to swallow most foods.  I had chemo (eight sessions/weekly for eight weeks) and radiation (28 sessions over 6 weeks).  After the about the tenth radiation--  I was able to swallow food normally, and continue for 3 years now..  I do have some continuing side effects now--  fatigue and shortness of breath (secondary MDS).  But-  every day is a good day.  I hope you do as well as I did.....or better!

Hi Mandy,

Sorry to read of your continued struggles, I do hope that they find a way of reducing the bile reflux.

I know the end of September seems forever away, but I hope the scan can shed some light on what is causing it.

Lowe'

Hi, my husband as a 10cm tumour at the bottom of his oesophagus attaching to stomach, it’s spread to some lymph nodes but thankfully not any major organs. We’ve had a endoscope, CT scan, MRI, Pet-Ct & laparoscopy. Chemo specialist Monday & then it’s chemo, surgery, chemo…. He’s really struggling to eat, loosing a lot of weight and I’m desperate for any suggestions of types of food to try etc…. I’m so happy to hear your now eating normally again xxxx

Hi Betty--  

I had ever increasing swallowing problems with regurgitation--minor at first (ignored by me) for several weeks--  then it became severe so I finally went for medical help.  After swallow test, then esophogram, then endodcope biopsy.  At beginning of chemo and radiation I could no longer eat most foods and lost 35 pounds weight by that time. I could eat only morning cereal with milk (ha[f-teaspoon at a time) with a sip of coffee.  I did sip the "Ensure" liquid product and the McDonalds' milk shake occasionally.   Sorry, I can't give you a better list of foods to try.  For me, the wheat bran cereal with milk was best--  half-teaspoon only--  and chew it well!--  with a sip of liquid....and I was able to avoid regurgitation.  I had small meals of this cereal as often as I could throughout the day--  for many days.

Then finally chemo and radiation treatments started--  and after about two weeks (ten radiations sessions) I could start swallowing some foods normaly (cereal with milk, soup puree).  After approximately the third week of combined chemo and radiation, I could eat normaly for any/all foods--  and continue today.

In my case, the radiation did result in both lobes of my lungs being affected--  shortness of breath resulted.  CT scans show that the lungs are now near normal, but I still have shortness of breath because of abnormal bone marrow due to chemo and radiatin.

I did not have surgery, only the chemo and radiation.  CT exams show one lymph node that is always noted--  it has slightly enlarged from 1 cm to 1,2 cm.  The chemo and radiation has affected my bone marrow--  low red, white blood cells, hemogloben, lymphocytes, platelets--  so I do have fatique and shortness of breath.

I wish the best for you and your husband in this difficult time.