Next steps after recurrence

Hello

I’m sorry about the new fight you face but your spirit is amazing.  Many years ago my husband had OC (diagnosed as inoperable) and he had ECX chemo every 3 weeks which included both capecitabine and cisplatin.  He had 6 cycles that made him feel lethargic a few days after each one but otherwise he coped well. The oncologist was so pleased he arranged for 2 more cycles and, miraculously, the tumour virtually disappeared and - relevant to you - the engorged lymph nodes returned to normal. He had an oesophagectomy in 2009.

I don’t know if this helps at all but there is always hope, we had none at the start and it was heartbreaking, I know we are very fortunate.

Best wishes to you both x

Hi,

1. I was first diagnosed with OC 12 years ago.  The prognosis was the same as yours. My oncologist subsequently told me, “prognosis is an art form rather than a science and we get it wrong far more than we get it right.”  I’ve since had two recurrence’s of the cancer.  Treated with cisplatin and capecitabine each time.  (6 cycles chemo first occurrence with radiotherapy in 2013.  6 cyles same chemo in 2017.  4 cycles same chemo this year followed by oesophagectomy). I’m still here.  Doing well.  I have mild tinnitus and mild neuropathy in hands and feet despite 16 cycles of cisplatin and capecitabine.  
   What you are going through is incredibly tough and scary but there is hope.  I hope my brief story boosts hope.  
   Am rooting for you both.

Thank you so much for your reply, that does give us hope. This has been such a rollercoaster of emotions since Paul’s diagnosis of stage 4 in September ‘22. Initially he was told they couldn’t operate as the tumour was so large but they agreed to try and he had the oesophagectomy in March 23. He’s done so well recovering from the op and coping with the usual side effects. Now we need to face this new challenge.