My husband was diagnosed in January with oesophageal junction cancer in the lining of the oesophagus. He was on immunotherapy and the capacitor chemotherapy tablets. He’s 83 and in the last months we went to London from Portugal (where we live) to have a scan, which said the tumour had shrunk and there were no other spread.
But the travelling wore him out and since we returned three weeks ago, he's been a bit vague. He’s sleeping on and off all day. He’s got no appetite apart from eating good breakfast. This is new. He did have before and I’ve gone out and bought lots of different stuff trying to help him to eat but he’s eating very little and his lost half a stone in the last 6 weeks.
We’re speaking to our Oncologist tomorrow so I hope he’ll have some ideas. He also has a heart issue and we saw a cardiologist on Monday who recommended a medication, but she wants the Oncologist to agree. He was on this med and they took him off it back in January and she said fatigue is common for those with heart issues not on this med, and he spends a lot of the day in bed up for two hours, bed for three hours.
Anyway, as all the other partners know it’s very worrying.
Any comments or observations welcome. Love and support to our club we'd rather not be in. ️
Hi Speyside I’m Tony one of the Community Champions, unfortunately the fatigue is ongoing I’m 5 years remission from 2 cancers and if I do too much and that is a lot less than I used to I am shattered and rest up, I would say also that flights would be extremely tiring for him all the time spent in the airport never mind the flight, as your seeing the Oncologist they will advise regarding the weight loss and there are plenty of liquid alternatives Forsips or any high calorie drinks should be given to him and rich cream items such as rice pudding etc
This is an information on fatigue:
This is on Eating :
Hope the Hospital will help you I’m sure they will and remember you can always call the helpline number
Take care both of you, Tony
We will move mountains to help people with cancer live life as fully as they can.
We'll do whatever it takes. For information, support or just someone to talk to,
call 0808 808 00 00 or visit www.macmillan.org.uk
Onwards and Upwards
Voicebox Cancer- Laryngectomy 2020 and Oesophagus survivor 2022
Adminitrative Assistant at Frimley Park Hospital, Cancer Support Hub
thank you tony as you know its very hard we had also committed to selling our property and buying another before diagnosis
im absolutely overwhelmed as my husband cant help and I wish we had never started the move that we now cant get out of it and worrying about the money and his health and all the organisation is just awful
Whatever cancer throws your way, we’re right there with you.
We’re here to provide physical, financial and emotional support.
© Macmillan Cancer Support 2025 © Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604). Also operating in Northern Ireland. A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales company number 2400969. Isle of Man company number 4694F. Registered office: 3rd Floor, Bronze Building, The Forge, 105 Sumner Street, London, SE1 9HZ. VAT no: 668265007