Newly diagnosed

Hi Ellie. Very understandable that you are very worried when you first hear this news. We have all been there. The tumour is often readily visible when they do the endoscopy and that is why they have informed you before any biopsies. Nothing unusual about that. It is a difficult cancer with many different outcomes but there are many positive stories on this site. You are now at the most difficult stage when your husband will go through a series of diagnostic tests  and scans before they can give him a treatment programme. There are several routes of treatment and the best advice will come from those of us who are either on the same route or have been through that route. A lot will depend on how early he has presented with symptoms. There is a lot of support here  for you so please stay on the site and let us all know his progress.  

Hi as anglers says there will be lots of tests and a lot of waiting ! But you’re in the right place for help and support ! We have all been where you are now and it is frightening but loads of positive stories so stay strong and positive and do not go on Google !! Tricia x

I understand how you feel as I felt exactly the same just after my husbands endoscopy. The specialist nurse said she was fast tracking him as what she had seen was suspicious for malignancy. I was devastated but not surprised as he had suddenly had some swallowing problems. A CT scan followed quite quickly and then an appointment with the GI team who confirmed and explained the diagnosis and possible treatment plan. Tricia (Dibden Doll) is right to say stay away from Google. Stick to MacMillan or Cancer research for info plus the many experiences of people here. My husband is now four weeks post surgery on his treatment plan and we are staying positive. 
Come and vent on here when you feel the need …. and try to look after yourself too

Geraldine xx

1st of March was the day my hubby had his endoscopy and we found out a week later it was cancer my hubby is 58  was fit and healthy and his only symptom was indigestion. I like you felt like our world felt apart, he his on his 3rd chemo and its been a rollercoaster.  This site has helped so much and there is so many success stories and thats what we are holding onto. Once you've had the full diagnosis and a plan of action it helps. Just take it a day at a time and talk talk talk it helps xxx

Hi Ellie, 

Welcome to the Forum, I know how difficult it is being in your position, and many others here have had a similar experience, I remember all too well how my world fell through a hole in the ground and threatened to swallow me up with it, when my husband was diagnosed. You will, understandably, go through a variety of emotions, thoughts, feeling, and somehow, you will both get through this. 

It is hard to offer advise regarding treatment or spread, but the simple answer is Yes, even if it has spread, it may still be able to be treated.  My husband was placed on palliative care, the word palliative was the most scariest, because I didn't understand what it meant, I imagined all sorts of seriously negative situations and that just made the long list of unanswered questions even longer. Palliative in his case, was to make him as comfortable as possible for as long as possible, that care is still being given now, and he was diagnosed 5 years ago, so hold on to hope, wait for the full results and the treatment decisions, and try not to over google things. 

I wish you all, the very best of luck.  

Lowe'

Thank you everyone, I think being given a diagnosis and no context is just so very hard and I know we must wait to hear back. We have 3 child the youngest is 12 and it's just so scary and my husband truly is the absolute love of my life, my everything so we are both panicking.

Hi Ellie. I am so sorry you are going through this. Me too and sounds very familiar. My husband is 51 and was diagnosed (by endoscopy) 2 days ago. We have three sons too and my youngest is 10. The waiting seems impossible.