Stomach cancer but now explained Oesophageal - Chemo & radiotherapy stopped as too ill

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Hi I’m new to this group as we were originally told we were dealing with stomach cancer but it appears to be at the bottom of my father-in-law’s oesophagus.

He started chemotherapy and radiotherapy but he became ill. He was taken into hospital and they suspected pneumonia on his left side.

They had hoped to cure the cancer but they now state his body cannot cope with the strength of chemotherapy required. So they are planning on no treatment for 6-7 weeks until he’s feeling better and then a milder course to keep it under control for a while but now no cure.

My father-in-law is hard of hearing and did not hear this. Although he was in the room.

He has been desperately trying to keep food down to try and get stronger so he can have the treatment but he’s wasting away and cannot keep food down.

His breathing is laboured and he gets tired really quickly but we assume this is the pneumonia.

If anyone has any experience of this, it would be great to hear.

He’s 84 but wants to get better. 
My husband hasn’t told him what the doctors have said but tonight he was just staring into space as if it has dawned on him he won’t get better.

If he can’t keep anything down, he’s going to get weaker and weaker.

We live about 3 1/2 hours away but my husband has been living with him the last few weeks. 

He has a daughter in Florida and we don’t know the right time for her to come over.

It’s so hard as he’s always been so independent. 

Look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks

  • Hello and welcome to the forum.

    My husband can hardly keep anything down right now so will hopefully be getting a stent fitted this week. He does, however, also feel constantly nauseous and is taking meds for abdominal pain. The alternative to the stent is a stomach peg. Perhaps these options could be explored with your father-in-law's MDT.

    I hope you get the support you all need and soon.

    Best wishes,

    Lorraine