I was diagnosed with Oesophageal cancer after an endoscopy on 2nd February this year. I was seen by a surgeon who thought I was an ideal candidate for surgery as I was a fit and healthy 74 year old with no other medical issues and had always kept active. I underwent 23 doses of radiotherapy and 5 doses of chemotherapy starting on 23rd March to shrink the tumour ahead of surgery. However, after a CT scan on 16th May I was told I had an enlarged Lymph close to my aorta and 2 enlarged nodules in my left lung. The surgeon said it was now impossible and too dangerous to operate, he wouldn't be able to access the lymph gland to remove it. I have had a PET scan now and am waiting for an appointment with the oncologist to see if he offers any treatment. To be honest I don't think I could face any more anyway. I am not well at the moment, I am being treated for a lung infection, on second antibiotic, first one made no difference. I have a terrible cough and am very breathless. I can cope with that though, it's the pain in my neck that is getting me down. I have pain on the left side of my neck under the jaw that sometimes just gets me down. The nurse and the GP wondered if it was radiotherapy damage, but I wonder if I have the cancer now in the lymph on my neck. I am controlling the pain with painkillers but I can only have 8 paracetomol a day, the GP is trying me on Iboprufen but it's a bit miserable. It's been a pretty horrible year so far, but so much waiting, my oncology appointment is still 2 weeks away. I feel a bit lost.'
Hi! I am so pleased to read this update. You seem to be doing loads better and it sounds like your MDT are really looking after you. Hope you continue to recover from your infection and inflammation. Keep being positive and stay in touch. All the best xxx
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