T3N1 Adenocarcenoma of the Oesophagus

Hi Cath-Moggs,

A sad but genuine welcome to the forum.

I had exactly the same diagnosis as your mum. I opted for chemo-surgery-chemo and am currently in the middle of post op chemo but doing ok. 

Clicking on my name/picture icon will take you to my own profile which I have written as a journal. This may help you but remember each journey is different and I don't have the other conditions your mum has. I have had pneumonia and a pulmonary embolism prior to this.

Sounds like your mum will smash the bike test. It's not that difficult. Go in some trainers and loose clothing. They connect you to an ECG machine and a mask to monitor oxygen/breathing I think. Then you get on the exercise bike and start pedaling. It's very easy to start and gets harder as you progress. You are on the bike for about 15~20 minutes. The whole appointment takes about an hour and I was told the result there and then. By the way because I have some breathing issues I had to do it twice, on different occasions, and passed both. 

The pet scan is similar to CT scan but in colour and you have to have a substance injected at the time to show variations. Never saw pictures from mine but was told later everything was fine. I think the Pet scan showed more detail and is used to determine spread of any. Cancer shows up as hot spots I think.

Good luck and best regards going forwards.

Geo.

Hi Cath I have been diagnosed with the same as your mum and have just finished 4 rounds of chemo and now have a Pet scan on Monday to see what happens next, probably an op which is on Dec 29th. The Pet scan  like GeoFerret has said is more comprehensive as it highlights any problems in your body by as they say lighting up areas. After my diagnosis they said my appendix lit up so that was removed before chemo.

It is all very worrying and stressful for the person that has cancer and everyone around them. For certain the fitter you are will help so much better during your treatment. There are many side effects to the chemo which they will make you aware of but the support from all the Macmillan nurses is amazing. They will help your mum every step of the way

Wish her all the best at this difficult time

Dean

Hi Geo,

thank you so much for your reply. I have indeed read your blog and it has given me hope at god knows what time of the morning. I pray to god that she passes the fitness test (28th nov) and nothing shows on her PET scan. They did say that they think her bile duct is dilated with possible stone too. 

sending get well hugs to all. I’ll be following you through your continued journey.

cath x

Hi Dean,

I have been following your story too. I completely agree with the fantastic care given by her named nurses. We have the appointment through for her fitness test on the 28th Nov, but still awaiting the date for PET scan.
Mum continues to pedal and walk to try increase lung capacity and fitness.
I made the mistake of consulting Google and as a medic, I should have known better. All these stories and regular updates do allow me to take a breath. I do worry though that the wait will have an effect on it spreading etc. 

hoping you’re doing ok with your chemo side effects and get some good news after PET scan. Roll on end of December for your op. We’ll be rooting for you! 

cath x

Hi Cath thank you so much for your kind words. I'm hoping the Pet scan will give me good news. On that note you do have to keep chasing them for a date and in your mum's case the sooner the better so that her treatment can start.

I will probably have the op but it's all dependent on the scan as it's possible just more chemo will be enough.

Like your mum I am now concentrating on my fitness so I'm prepared for the op

I wish you and your mum the very best too and please keep in touch, I find it very helpful as I think you will too to share experiences

Dean x

Hi GeoFerret hope you are continuing to do well in your recovery. My scan is on Monday and yes you are right it picks up  any cancer cells by as they say lighting it up. My options will be 4 more rounds of chemo or the op in December and then the 4 rounds. My pre op is in 3 weeks but I'm a regular cyclist so feel I should be fit enough but the chemo has tired me out quite a bit

Please keep posting as I will as I feel it really helps everyone during the treatment

Best wishes

Dean

Hi Dean, I've been posting since diagnosis last March.

Hope my diary helped you in some way.

I'm off for another 5 or 6 hours of chemo in the morning.......hooray! 

Keep in getting better Pal.

Best regards

Geo

Hi Cath-Moggs,

It looks like I’m just a couple of weeks ahead of you here. I had my gastroscopy and CT scan on Thurs 19th Oct and received my cancer diagnosis the following Tuesday 24th. I haven’t been given any staging yet but was told that I am on a “curative pathway” which I guess is the best I can hope for at this stage. Since then, I had a PET scan on Wed 1st Nov (the results of which I was told were “favourable”) and a meeting with my MDT team on Tuesday 7th where they outlined my only option (made things easier in a way) of having chemo followed by surgery to remove bottom half of oesophagus and top third of stomach followed by more chemo. Had my staging laparoscopy on Wednesday 15th and now waiting to find out results from that. The laparoscopy is kinda uncomfortable afterwards (not so much from the wounds as from the effects of the gas which they pumped in to distend my abdomen) but the worst thing is the waiting in between appointments and procedures. I’m hoping that if results come back ok that my next step will be a meeting with oncologist to determine chemo plan and hopefully get started with that before Christmas. Hope your mum is doing ok. She is definitely doing the right thing trying to keep herself as fit as possible as it is going to be a long road for all of us. I’m trying to do the same. Best wishes to you both.

Hi Geo yes it has been very helpful indeed. I never minded having the chemo as it was a chance to meet other people and discuss things and help each other. It's the few days after that's not pleasant as you well know.

Hope the session goes ok, my Petscan is Monday then pre op Dec 5th with meeting with surgery team afterwards

Stay strong and good luck

Dean

Hi Cool Blue,

thank you for your reply. Have you had your results yet? My mum is in for her PET scan tomorrow and will hopefully be called back for results and MDT meeting with plan in the next week or so. Mum is still walking and pedalling away on the exercise bike.

sending get well wishes.

cath x