Treatment options/ choices.

Laddo 16 hours ago

4 replies
58 subscribers
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Hello everyone,

I haven't been on for a week or so as my laptop died! In the same time scale I have had a PET-CT, a CT Scan and an endoscopic ultrasound which was yesterday. Today I was discussed at the MDT and have been given an appointment for Monday morning. I was diagnosed about 10 weeks ago where we were told my cancer was at an early stage and easily treatable. The plan was to remove it via endoscope but when they attempted this they found in the four weeks from the decision to do this procedure the cancer has progressed from the oesophagus lining to the muscle layer so it was abandoned.

I had and have continued to try to increase my fitness levels, stopped smoking and all alcohol, changed eating habits- now 3 meals a day, healthy foods and drinking the protein supplements.

The ultrasound yesterday was to stage the cancer and decide a treatment plan. I have been told that there are two treatment choices- 1) To have chemotherapy and esophagectomy or 2) have radical chemotherapy and radiotherapy with the possibility that esophagectomy would be needed following this. I don't have to say on Monday what option I want to go for but would prefer to as the wheels of treatment move so slowly, timescales regardless of choice are two weeks for referral to oncologist and then initiate treatment 2-4 weeks later.

What I would like to know if anyone would share their experiences of choices/ treatment? I am inclined to go for option 1 my reasons for this are it would appear likely in any event removal is needed and why delay the process and lose fitness by following option 2 and also if I follow option 2 I fear that if removal is needed they may tell me I am no longer fit enough. Whereas currently they say I am fit enough for option 1.

If anyone would share their thoughts or experiences to help inform my decision I would appreciate it. My wife is also leaning towards option 1 but will go with my choice. We are aware the surgery is brutal and prognosis is not certain. My aim is to eventually to return to work and I know recovery takes months so my employer will stop my full pay sick pay then go to half pay for six months then nothing, so although not the end of the world having a much reduced income is at the back of my mind.

Thanks for reading.

Dibden doll 12 hours ago

Hi laddo I don’t know if your given a choice it makes it better or worse ! I wasn’t given a choice I had chemo then surgery my GI team had a plan and I went with it ! I had my surgery in March and like you did all the things to help got fitter better diet stopped drinking ( I had a glass of wine tonight that I was bought and did not like to say no which is why I’m still awake now at 2am) as I haven’t drunk for ages !!
A lot will depend on what type of cancer it is and where it is be guided by your team ! In my case surgery was far less brutal as thought and four months on I am back to doing everything I did before in fact friends and family forget which is why I got bought the wine ! Anyway just to say you’re not alone in this journey and nothing is as bad as we think !! Take care now to finish my cuppa and try to get some sleep Tricia x

Julieanne60 7 hours ago

Morning Laddo. I can understand your dilemma especially as you have probably read the varying accounts people have had following on from the operation. My own experience was a positive one and although I can’t remember everything (my operation was 31/10/2023) things gradually got better week by week. My own mindset was to have the chemotherapy and radiotherapy followed by the operation, and felt reassured that I was in the best hands with regard to this big operation.
I hope everything goes well for you. Best wishes, Julie

Anglars 7 hours ago

Hi Laddo. I doubt whether us laymen can actually help you with the choice. I had the same alternatives put in front of me but it was made pretty obvious by the experts on my MDT which route they really thought I should go down. You will probably be given an awful lot of statistics on risks and outcomes at your meeting as they are obliged to take you through them. The only advice I can offer is to try and determine from the experts in front of you what they are really thinking your best option is. By the way, I am 2 years past surgery and living my 'new' life happily.

Laddo 5 hours ago

Thank you all for your replies, I appreciate you taking the time to do this.

My wife and I will listen carefully to the options and to what the Team say to us regarding risks and benefits. I think that a large part of my concern is the length of time it takes for anything to happen so not wanting further delays (as I see it).

We like everyone else have also to weigh up other responsibilities such as caring for others- I spend a lot of my free time taking my Mother to appointments, shopping twice weekly etc., earning income for bills etc., and being there for others. Life doesn't stop because we've been thrown this curved ball with my health. So I suppose we're also considering/ balancing others expectations.

We had a good discussion last evening and we're both apprehensive of either option, we both have seen loved ones and friends die of various cancers and illnesses so aren't walking into this with unrealistic expectations. We also have to look at the practicalities of daily living with either option, from self-care needs through to getting the hedges cut. Then there's the fact that my idea of hell is daytime tv and a soft diet! I am someone who is always on the go, always working either at work or in the garden/ allotment or pottering on diy projects.

More to mull over!

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