Treatment

Hi ChrissyL, I was  diagnosed with oesophageal cancer in may this year.  I found all the time I was having scans etc it felt like something was being done.  Although I didn't have to wait long for my treatment plan appointment the waiting time seemed to drag.  Within 5 weeks of seeing my GP I had the diagnosis and started chemo (my first infusion was last Tuesday) I am also taking oral chemo twice a day and get my next infusion on 1st July.  To be honest I didn't find the infusion to be anywhere near as bad as I thought it was, the staff at the chemotherapy day unit in addenbroookes hospital Cambridge are really excellent.  

When you go to see your oncologist for your treatment plan appointment make sure you ask as many questions as you like.The staff are brilliant and patient - I must of asked some really stupid questions but they were happy to answer all of them. 

I am having 4 rounds of chemo, each starts with and infusion and is then followed by 21 days of tablets.  so 12 weeks altogether.  In the last 5 weeks I am having 25 sessions of radiotherapy.  so every Monday to Friday I will have a session of radiotherapy.  

I was also given an option of surgery but it is really major surgery and the recovery takes a long while, so for now I have decided against it.  The cure rate between the two paths of treatment are very similar and obviously the surgery can do a lot of harm.

I still have bad days emotionally but to be honest I feel much better no that the treatment has started.

reply to me on here or send me a private message. ( I will sent you a friend request)

Good luck with your treatment appointment.  Hope to hear from you sonn All the best Ruth xx

Hi Chrissy

Sorry to hear that you have joined this club that no one wants to be a member of.

I was diagnosed in 2013. It seems like decades ago! So much has happened since. My wife and I have travelled the world, seen both my sons married, Got two lovely granddaughters and another on the way. Who would have thought that I’d experience so much joy? Not me, not in October 2013!

Of course at that time it was a bit of a roller coaster of emotions. First all the tests, then chemo for what seemed like months. Getting over that before surgery. Little or no pain. Then another attempt at chemo. Then a long slow recovery, with movement and fitness classes to help the recuperation. It’s all a distant memory now. A new normality establishes and life just gets better and better.

Of course you need a positive attitude and a sense of humour. A good and loving support network helps too!

 Treatment varies a little between centres and of course has changed a little over the years. I had ECX chemo, now people seem to have FLOT. I didn’t have a laparoscopy, many people posting these days do. All these changes mean that outcomes are improving. 

So good luck with your treatment. I hope it is as successful as mine.

Hi Ruth,

Although I was diagnosed at the end of December, it took a long time for me to make up my mind to start chemo. I’m Stage 4 and therefore surgery wasn’t an option. The chemo is palliative, and hence the time I took to make up my mind. The oncologists said I had time to decide, the staff have been great.

I started a week last Monday with an infusion of Herceptin, followed on Tuesday with an infusion of cosplaying which also included two long infusions of saline solution to make sure the kidneys were well flushed. I’m now taking capecitabine tablets for two weeks and then get a week off before it all starts again on July 2nd. I’m due to have three cycles then a scan to see if it’s having any effect and if so I continue for another three cycles.

To start with, I felt reasonably OK but slowly started to feel absolutely rubbish culminating last Tuesday when I really felt that it wasn’t worth it. However, Wednesday dawned and I was feeling as different again - not normal (what ever that is), but not too bad. What I’ve found is that I have a strange taste in my mouth a lot of the time, and I’ve gone off a lot of foods I used to enjoy and totally of tea - I have my coffee first thing and then of all things, Coke. With the strange taste I’ve found that strongly flavoured foods are best - curries, chillies, paella and such like and find it’s easier to eat the main meal at lunchtime with just a sandwich or similar in the evening.

I’ll wait and see what happens with Cycle 2  

Hi Chrissy,

i was diagnosed from an endoscopy 18th May, told there and then 99.9 % certain. Within few days had CT Scan then a  review with upper GI consultant who confirmed T3 N1 M0, initial thoughts were it was operable. things moving very quickly , had PT scan which thankfully showed no further growth. I now have laparoscopy booked for next Tuesday 25th.....pathway for me so far is going to be chemo then Op.

enjoy the weekend and the sunshine

R

Hi Auldfarrt. 

Thank you for your post.  It may sound daft but in many ways I feel lucky, my cancer is T2N0MX so it is all contained in my oesophagus and hasn't travelled to my lymph nodes or anywhere else.  At first I felt really sorry for myself and wasn't sure I could cope.  After being on this group I have come to realise just how lucky I really am.  There is hope, even though the treatment can be gruelling and there is not a promise of a cure, I know that if people in your situation can be positive so can I.  Cancer is scary for anyone but the treatment is improving all the time.  I am due to have my second infusion of chemo on the 1st july.  after that I have two more cycles.  I am going to fight this all the way and I know that with the help of you all on here I can stay strong.  I also hope that I can help and encourage someone along the way too.

Thanks again for your post

Best regards

Ruth xx

Hi R seems like we are going down the same pathway all you have had done so far is the same as me. I am my next appointment on the 1st of July for a CPET exercise test and to have 2ww pathway appointment aswell. I’m feeling very positive.

wishing you all the best on your pathway stay positive.

Chrissy

Hi Brent thank you for your very positive post I am so pleased you are enjoying a wonderful life after cancer. As you say stay positive and have a laugh about thing . Here I go on my pathway chemo op and chemo that’s bet this yeah

regards

Chrssy L 

Hi Ruth thank you for your post it nice to hear all about the different ways this can be treated. I am feeling very positive and hope it stays that way lol . I have my next appointment on the 1st of July an CPET exercise test and 2ww pathway appointment. I know it’s silly but I have named my tumour Frank . I wish you  luck with your treatment  

Keep in touch

Chrissy

Hi Chrissy I hope your next appointment goes well.  Don't feel silly my daughter and I have called my tumour Bob.  I would like to keep in touch with you on our journeys.

All the best 

Ruth 

Morning Ruth hope you have had a lovely weekend  . How are you feeling after your chemo any side affects ? . Only a week to go and I find out what l’m going to have treatment wise .

all the best 

Chrissy