Surgery worries

Thumbs up for the epidural! That was amazing, I certainly didn't appreciate it at the time when they plugged me. 

I can't take credit, unashamedly stolen from Spike Milligan's gravestone boosted by >6 months experience of GP' visits before diagnosis!  

Hi Sunflowers. I will just be brief as others have said it all. I am 15 months post surgery and very grateful I was given the chance to have it. I am 81 and another at my hospital previous to me was 85 so age is not an issue. I wish your friend all the best. It is a long haul but has the potential to be well worth it.p

Thank you so much and I hope you are doing well :)

hi I am new to the group and looking for assistance. i was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer 3 weeks ago. grade 3. have been offered option of chemo/radio therapy then op or chemo/radio therapy. i am fearful of op and dont know best way to go. have been told op is horendous. i am only 60

Hi Toby

I'm 60 too and was diagnosed on March the 22nd. I'll tell you my experience. I was adamant at the start that I would NOT have the operation as on hearing what it entailed I was petrified tbh. After 4 rounds of FLOT chemotherapy I was pinning all my hopes on the tumour being gone but the scans, although showing a big reduction in size, showed it was still there. What followed was a very serious conversation with the oncologist to see if there was ANY alternative which unfortunately there really wasn't. I'm now just over 5 weeks post op and was discharged after 11 nights. My advice would be do the chemo, have the op and treat it as any other challenge that life throws at you! Good luck on your journey

Sorry that you find yourself here, it's good that you've reached out. 

I had chemotherapy and radiotherapy in 2021, no operation. My tumour was T2N0M0. I was 53. I'm on active monitoring. For the first two years I had a gastroscopy (endoscopy) every 3 months, and either a CT scan on PET CT scan (alternating). The scanxiety was intense and never ending. I'm now on 6 monthly tests.

I'm 3 years clear. 

Other people on here had chemotherapy and radiotherapy and then the operation, and they've had a good result. 

Lots of people on here had chemo - operation - chemo - they can give lots of advice about the operation. 

thanks for your input. the doctors have said with chemo/radio there is only 30% success and if i then decided to have operation it would be more difficult. i know deep down it is better clinical  operation and have heard good and bad things about the op.  whilst i know the decision is mine it is a hard one to take.  I admit I am a coward !! 

Thank you for your experience. Can I ask do you regret not going for op in first instance ?  Is the op as bad as I have heard ? I know no 2 patients are the the same but it all helps with different experiences . thanks

Hi Toby. I would not describe the op. as horrendous. It is of course a very major op.and should not be downplayed. I am in  good health now after a few post op. hiccups and now 15 months down the road.  On this site we can give you as many experiences and opinions as you like but we are not medical experts. My basic question to my MDT at the start of all this was: What route gives me the best chance of saving my life? There was little doubt where they wanted to lead me but of course they were obliged to take me through all the risks and stats. Good luck with it all whichever route you choose or are obliged to take. I know that almost certainly you are currently in a state of shock and indecision. If you need further info. from me on post op. life I will be happy to give it.