My Mum has just had the bad news

Hi, I am so sorry that your mum has had this news today, the majority of people are told they have cancer on the same day as their endoscopy as it can clearly be seen on the screen. My hubby was told it was cancer straight after and he had a ct scan a couple of days later to check for spread, then a PET scan, laparoscopy and EUS endoscopy.arranged by his upper GI consultant All over the next couple of weeks. All these tests are to check for spread and to see how large it is in the oesophageal. All the treatment options were gone through. My hubby received chemo surgery and more chemo we’ve went through it all if you need any advice or just a chat please feel free to message me. Thinking of you and your mum xxxHelen xxx

Thank you so much for your reply and I’m sorry to hear you are going through the same. Your thoughts and experiences are appreciated as it gives me some guidance on what to expect. I truly hope things are going well for your husband and you, please wish him all the best. 

It still feels surreal and not sure it’s sunk in yet. I’m just so worried with this pandemic that it will slow things up. I’m hanging on to the fact the specialist said “early stage” and I just hope it hasn’t spread and the treatment works. 

can I ask now she’s had the camera she was told it would be a full body scan. So will there be other examinations potentially? I’m not sure what all those procedures you mention actually mean.

weird thing is 10 years ago to the month I went through testicular cancer and now this evil disease is back again to have another go at our family. I am really scared because the statistics for this don’t always look great but I’m clinging to the hope it’s fixable. 

thank you so much for your response,  Chris x

Morning Chris, it is so good that it is early stage there is loads they can do, the next step is usually a CT scan which scans the whole body to check for any obvious spread then hubby had a PET scan where they inject a radioactive substance into the patient and it picks up any small traces cancer anywhere in the body these show up as ‘hot spots’ on the scan (my hubby had a hot spot on his colon but had a colonoscopy and was only a polyp) this picks up small suspicious areas. Then he had a laparoscopy which looks for cancer cells in the abdominal area (they take fluid out of abdomen to look for cancer cells) then finally he had a EUS which is another camera down throat with an ultrasound attached to look in more detail at the tumor and give a better staging. After all this the options for treatment will be discussed unfortunately although no spread for hubby and chemo / surgery and chemo hubby’s returned after 2 years and he succumbed to this bike disease 3 years ago aged 52 however there are now so many more good outcomes as there are better treatments always being used. Please keep in touch as been through it all over 2 years of his illness ( he wasn’t poorly the whole time we had a really good 16 months of normal life) keep fighting sending much love to you and your mum xxx (keep in touch ) xxx

Hi again, Im so sorry I didn't realise you have lost your husband, I'm most terribly sorry. You must have been through so much over the last few years and thank you for continuing on this forum and providing comfort and information to others. I can assure you it is hugely appreciated. I told my mum this morning that you had commented that early stage was a good sign and it made her feel so much better so you can smile today knowing you have helped us and its massively appreciated.

I know we have a lot ahead of us but all we can do is be positive because simply whats the alternative. The internet scares the hell out of me because you can literally put anything into google and it will send you to some paper or study that shows your search criteria is in some way connected. Sometimes you just can't help playing the numbers game but it's not healthy. 

I just worry with any potential hold ups due to the current situation. I know from my own personal experience that quick action is always beneficial when it comes to cancer so I'm hoping the next few weeks tests will be done quickly ad praying the results are favourable.

Thank you again x

Chris x