Endoscopy today

I’m so sorry to hear about your delay in getting support. My dad has been through this and is sadly going through cancer a second time but with his experience of oesophageal cancer he had similar symptoms and a large tumour was discovered after an endoscopy. Following that he had CT scans and PET scans, he also had keyhole surgery to size the tumour. He had a number of round of chemo which shrunk the tumour enough for him to have surgery. The surgery was 12 hours long but they were able to remove the tumour! It is a massively daunting process and I know my dad felt quite poorly but he would take things one day at a time and not try and assume things or guess things between appointments. 

I remember looking at google after he was diagnosed and the statistics aren’t great but statistics aren’t everything and each cancer case is so individual. There are many positive survivor stories of this cancer so there is always hope!

In terms of other hospitals, my dad didn’t request a different one but I have read on the NHS website that you can request to go to a different hospital and be under a different consultant. Some people do this because of wait times and.various things so it is possible. 

I’m so sorry you’re going through this, one day at a time and remember there are positive outcomes for this cancer.

Sending love x

I'm so sorry that you're going through this.  It is very scary. I was diagnosed a few weeks ago. The pathway should hopefully be followed by a specialist team in your area. They should assign you a Clinical Nurse specialist to explain the process. (I'm assuming you're in the UK). The next parts of their investigation should be a CT scan and a PET scan - these will tell them if its localised or spread. The other investigations are the endoscopic ultrasound and a laparoscopy. All of these help them with staging.  The stuff on Google is very scary but there are so many factors that need to be considered and stats are very broad sweeping generalisations. Have a look at esophageal cancer on the smart patients website. There are a lot of very helpful people on there. Honestly stick to reputable websites and forums like this one, etc. I've had to inhibit the urge to look at too much. Perhaps speak to the Macmillan nurses and how to deal with getting a medical team to can feel more confident with.

Take care

MissBrightside19  So sorry to hear about your dad. I always tend to avoid posts and forums like these previous as I hate reading anyone's health problems and not being able to do anything about it. Thanks the the reply and reassurance, it's much appreciated right now.

Hi siazyw have followed you on smart patients. Thanks for the heads up, lots of interesting information to chase up over there. Thanks for the reply, much appreciated and I hope your treatment goes excellently.

Thanks SuzieW. Just had a call this morning to see if I could come in for a chat.
As I dreaded it was confirmed cancer. Thankfully localised. The doctor said it's curative, as no signs of spread from CT although still to have a PET and laparosopy which I'm now waiting for.

Talking about possible chemo before, or after an op. But feeling lot less stressed and more positive than I have been. Now just to google terrify myself about what the op might involve!

That is good news - it's not spread!!! Yay! It really does feel more manageable when you know what the plan is. They should be doing chemo before and after surgery. The staging bit is quite thorough. I'm mostly through that now just waiting for the results of fluid samples they took during the laproscopy.  

Take care

Aye, most definitely less stressed than before when I was planning my last xmas presents for the kids. On the way to the hospital it occured to me that once bad news is confirmed any fear is replaced by hope for the next outcome to be good.

Looks like we're in the same boat but you're ahead of me. I hope all goes well for you.