My dads just been diagnosed

Hi Sam27

Sorry to hear about your father, this news is devastating at first I know. My husband was diagnosed with Cancer of the Oesophagus T4N1M1 almost two years ago, he is now 76. He was unable to have the operation due to his weak heart, he had 3 stents fitted 5 years ago.  He has been through two cycles of Chemo, Oxaliplatin & then Docetaxel. His last treatment was March 30 2020 and he has been doing well for a year now, with no further treaty. Unfortunately the cancer has now spread and we are meeting with our Oncologist tomorrow to decide whether to have more Chemo or not. But the 2 previous cycles did make a significant difference to how Derek coped with the cancer. Of course all cases are different and you have to be guided by the professionals. I hope our experience helps a little.

Best Wishes

Christal

Hi Christal, thank you so much for your reply. I’m so sorry to hear that your husbands cancer has now spread. I hope the appointment goes well for him. As you said I’m sure you will be guided by the professionals of the best route to go down.

With my dad it was all just a massive shock and so much to take in. I know you are never ready to lose your parents, but I’m only 32, an only child, my parents mean the world to me. I don’t go a day without seeing and speaking to them. The thought of what’s to come is so daunting. We have got to stay positive and hope he has many years ahead of him. We will be guided by the professionals but because it was all such a shock rather than reading google And making myself worry even more, I thought I’d see how others coped that had been through something similar. 

Best Wishes

Sam 

Hi Sam

I really am sorry to read about your Dad, do you mind please if I pry a little further?

Has Dad been told which type of tumour he has?

My husband was diagnosed with Stage 4 Oesophageal Cancer with secondaries in his lung, liver and lymph nodes, at the beginning of May 2020, T3N3M1 GOJ, palliative.

I was absolutely reeling when we were first advised, most certainly the quickest free falling I have ever experienced so I can relate to the shock that you mention. 

You are very welcome on this forum, and although we know that no one really wants to be here, it really is a very positive and supportive network.

Our Blog  may help give you some ideas, it is positive for the most part, Your Dad sounds like fighter, that is so important, belief in his ability to beat it will help him. 

It's tough; words are often never enough, but I hope you feel that you can come back and share your experiences and share ours... a common ground which along the way may help many others looking for the same answers that we have set out to find.

Take care of both of you..

Lowe'

Hello Cristal

Sending every bit of strength and support that I can muster for you and your Husband, please let us know how it goes with the oncologist tomorrow.

Lowe'

Hi Lowe. Thank you so much for replying. He has got oesophageal cancer. He is just awaiting an appointment next week to find out if  the cancer has spread. Keeping my fingers crossed it hasn’t. Then we will be going back to discuss the next options. 

I’m sorry to hear about your husband. The positive I’ve taken from what you have just told me is that he was diagnosed 9 months ago and he’s staying positive and fighting this horrible disease.

I will give your blog a read.

I will definitely be back to give updates on my dad.

Take care

Sam xxx

Hi Lowe, As we expected it wasn’t good news Thursday when we saw the Oncologist. My husband is not strong enough to have more Chemo, so he has referred us to the Hospice for palliative care. As I expect you know, that although you know it’s inevitable at some point, it’s still a shock when you are actually told.       Best Wishes to you and your husband, I’ve always found your blog really helpful

Christal

Hi ya Sam my dad has just beed diagnosed with cancer of the oesophagus witch crosses over the gastro oesophageal junction Stage 3 Its spread to some nearby lymph nodes but not to the liver, he is 86 and pretty fit, but they have said they are not doing the surgery as he will probably die on the operating table, and they are not even doing chemo which I cannot get, I'm heartbroken devastated just your worst nightmare, my mum is well no words can describe it 60 years they have been together, I cant get the chemo bit, do I'm getting a second opinion on it as I csnt leave it like that no way, how old Is your dad, stage 3 I think is that it hasn't spread to the liver, but it has gone to the lymth nodes, I've been on the internet every chance I get to find out information it's a nightmare 

Christal, I’m so sorry to hear your news. Sending lots of love And best wishes your way. Please always know you can talk to us on this blog. 

Sam xx

Hi Sheerscott. I’m so sorry to hear you are going through a similar situation to me. My dad is 75 this year. Yes we have been told it has spread to some lymph nodes but he’s having a few tests next week to make sure it hasn’t spread to any other organs. Fingers crossed it hasn’t. He’s also having a respiratory test which I’m guessing will be to see if he could cope with the operation/ chemo as he had a stroke June 2020 so with that and COVID he hasn’t been able to get out much, so as we all would be with not doing much he’s lost a lot of strength.

I would definitely get a second opinion. Did they not explain why they haven’t offered chemo? The only thing I will say is my dads, dad had cancer. He was told by the doctors they wouldn’t operate or give him chemo. But they could assure him he would die of old age not the cancer. He lived for a good few years before old age unfortunately took him away from us. I’m not saying it’s the same for everyone but it may give a bit of hope. 

The worst thing to do which I’m guilty of is to search google for the answers. Most of the time you get the worst possible outcome. We have to try and stay positive and think of all the people that fight this nasty disease off and the people that have this disease that live a normal life for many years.

please let me know how you get on with the second opinion.

best wishes

sam xx

Thanks Sam xx well hopefully it hasn't spread to any other organs for your dad, the gastroenterologist said that chemo will only prolong his life for a couple of months and for most of that he will be sick and unwell, I know he is a expert but everyone is different when it comes to chemo, and react differently, and if its doesn't agree with him then stop but as I said I'm no expert, please let me know about your dad, and I hope and pray they can operate, I'm a only child aswell and speak to my parents every day, so this is really hard