My dad has been diagnosed with oesophagus cancer

Hi, unfortunately I too have oesophagus cancer and unfortunately terminal, but I fully understand you as a son and your family just want to do all you can and explore every avenue for your dad, my thoughts are also how bloody unfair for your dad to get to such a cracking age and be struck down by cancer! As a family we went through asking all the questions and going on line etc, but unfortunately we had to settle for what it was in the end, but having said that I have had chemo and radiotherapy and it has kept me going for nearly two years now, am 64 with five children so fully understand where your coming from, all I would say for you as a family and your dad is to ask all the questions and explore all you can for all your sakes so you know you have done all you can for your dad, I know it’s hard for all of you and my heart goes out to you.

but please come and share your thoughts on here and let us try and help you on the journey, take it easy.

Thank you xx what stage was u diagnosed 

Hi Sheersscott, 

My mum is 76 and is currently going through chemotherapy and then more chemo and radiotherapy with a curative intent but the reason why I mention this is my mum has coped really well with the Chemo with just a bit of tiredness and mouth ulcers. Now obviously the chemo your Dad might need could be completely different but I'm just suggesting in my mums case it was extremely tolerable and thankfully recent results have shown its doing the job. I am no expert by a country mile and all cases are different but it may be worth politely asking for a second opinion on the chemo. I know these decisions are discussed by MDT teams, so the decision won't have fallen on one person shoulders, and these people are extremely knowledgable and follow strict protocol but if you have any reservations you should always press for re-consideration to ensure you Dads morbidities have been fully considered. 

My thoughts are with you x

Chris

Thank you for your reply, and I hope chemo and radiotherapy keeps u here for alot longer, my dad had 2 stents put in monday, had to go into hospital on Thursday as he couldn't keep any anything down, well 1 stent was blocked up either a little bit of porridge, and the other one wasn't working properly, so that's a brilliant start, he has had them out now that was Friday and the doctor who is looking after my dad said we will try without even though they were put in too help him eat, which is a joke, but he is doing good in the hospital he is just bored as no one can visit,  he hasn't seen any do for since friday so we have not got a clue what us going on 

Hi Sheerscott,

I am so sorry to hear about your dad, it is such a cruel disease. 

My dad was also diagnosed with Oesophageal Cancer in June, he is only 53 and we found out in November that the operation was not successful and he is now receiving palliative care. I am so sorry to hear there is nothing they can do for your dad but the Chemo for this type of cancer is extremely gruelling, my dad was extremely fit and healthy before he got cancer and was running around a rugby pitch 3 times a week and its really took it out of him.

The nausea he experienced was horrific, he was weak and honestly I can see why the doctors would not want to put someone through that especially if it won't be able to give them their life back. I cant imagine how hard it must be hearing there is nothing they can do but considering your dads age it would probably be cruel to put him through that kind of intense treatment, especially seeing as the survival rates are so low for this type of cancer. I am sorry if my message is not what you want to hear but I have always found it easier with my dad when people were up front and honest with me. In terms of the operation it was absolutely horrific for my dad, he had it in November and they broke his ribs and deflated his lungs in order to get to the oesophagus and he is still recovering now. He hasn't been able to lie down since the operation and sleeps for about 4 hours a night due to the pain of his ribs and his incisions, it has been horrific to witness especially knowing that it hasn't given him his life back. I hope that they can do something for your dad and will keep him in my thoughts but I do know in situations like these they do consider quality of life with and without treatment. I know how hard it is to look at things objectively however this type of cancer is aggressive and its prognosis is not a good one, although it hasn't spread I'd imagine due to your dads age it will eventually spread and the doctors are focusing on his quality of life.

A x

So sorry to hear this xx , we did get a second opinion from a private upper gastroenterologist and he said exactly what the first gastroenterologist said, as definitely not to have surgery as it will kill him and not to have chemo which myself and my mum totally understand, he has only around 6 months to live, but the gastroenterologist said it probably wont be the cancer what kills him as it is really slow growing it will be not eating enough and exercising as it will cause serious problems, so we need to keep him eating and he is walking every day now, we will take one day at a time and see what happens, but thankyou for texting 

I’m so sorry to hear this, but at least you now have the peace of mind that you have sought a second opinion. I hope you manage to keep him eating and healthy for as long as possible, I know if swallowing becomes an issue you can get very high protein high calorie shakes that can help him maintain his weight and are easy to swallow, likewise making smoothies full of antioxidants and fruit can also be helpful! Xx

Hi Sheerscott

I am so sorry to read about your Dad's diagnosis, and to further read that you have had a second opinion that was the same outcome, that must be so difficult.

As AMH states, smoothies, high in antioxidants could help, this is what my husband has, they are highly calorific and ensure full 'meal' type sustenance without the need to be concerned for trapping food.

I wish your Dad all the very best. 

Lowe' 

It is your worst nightmare xx so upsetting, he is on 40 sips as well as pureed food as he doesn't get blocked xx thankyou xx hope your husband is ok 

Hello I am in a similar position but also have Parkinson’s Disease in addition to the oesophagus. Cancer, diabetes and other conditions.  Unlike your Dad I am younger at 78 but like him operations and chemo are out of the question as I would never survive them .  I did have an initial 5 days of Radio therapy which helped a little initially, but nothing more.  So sorry for what you are going through but my way of dealing with it is to treat every single day as extra special, look positively as possible, enjoy the company and support of my friends and family.  I have no religion but others have found this a reassurance.  I enjoy life as best I can.  Keep going, very hard for you but try to not dwell on the negatives and enjoy your Dads company whilst you can. Very best wishes to you, your dad and family.