Brother-in-law nearly 2 years on from treatment - what to expect ask at consultation?

Hi Des

I wouldn't pay too much attention to the 'aggressive' description as (all) gullet (oesophageal) cancer is aggressive!

Different centres offer slight;y different treatments and follow-up pathways. Addenbrookes have a policy of no scans unless there are symptoms that might indicate recurrence. So I have gone for five years since my surgery with little more than a "How are you? You are looking well" every 12 months with the specialist nurse and maybe the dietitian.

So my guess is unless there any 'symptoms' like excessive fatigue, weight loss or swallowing problems then the visit will be little more than a chat about his new "normality" and any post surgery issues like eating, malabsorption or dumping syndrome,

I hope I am right and it is a mere formality.

He might want to discuss what dietary supplements he should be taking (multivitamins and minerals, and Vit D dosage).

Good luck to both you and your brother.

Thank you so much for your reply Brent.  Comforting words to us I can tell you.  So very glad to hear that you are doing well 5 years on - let's hope my brother-in-law has a similar outcome - my sister is convinced it is going to recur within the two years after treatment finished - which would be next December when all the Chemo was completed.

Would you mind if I copied your reply to my sister please?  I know last time they went to see the consultant she was astounded that it was a "hello, how are you, Glad to hear you are doing well.  Goodbye" sort of conversation.  I shall tell them to make sure they ask questions - though they are not the type of people to do that, and that they list all his problems.

Thanks once again.

Des

Feel free to copy. (sorry I got the in-law bit wrong)

Thanks so much.  I have known my brother-in-law for over 50 years now so he is as close as a brother - funnily enough my sister married a man with the same christian name as our brother anyway!  Brian - such a common name at the time. ha ha ;)

Thanks Brent

Hi Desiree, Good advice from Brent as usual. I'm 2 years and 5 months post surgery and enjoying life. Never had a scan my consultant said that I would know before them if something was wrong so no point in giving me a scan. At my last appointment in December he said I looked well and asked how I was. Then we spoke about logs and fishing for a bit and then he said he would see me in 6 months. Good luck to you and your brother in law, I have 2 friends who have recovered from prostate cancer. Kind regards Frank.

Desiree? Predictive text.lol

Great to hear from you Frank,

Glad to hear you are in good health.  Long may it continue.

I love predictive text too.  When I got a new phone I sent a text to a friend and signed it off with our names and it went out from Dean and Dianne - never heard of them!

Stay well.

Take care

Des