I haven’t yet finished treatment just on my 2nd round of chemo but I have had one dilation already and another booked in for later in the month.
I am struggling to get any idea of the long term prognosis. The consultant said the figures online are out of date while the GI nurse just said it’s out there now so a possibility. She also advised they will have regular chats as changes in how you feel tend to be the best way to monitor you.
I don’t want to dwell on the negative, I know I am lucky to have a chance unlike some, but it plays on your mind. I’ve always been very sensible with money etc. but I’m tempted now to just enjoy myself and forget long term.
When I asked about the symptoms of recurrence I was told.these were fatigue and weight loss. Surgeons aren’t particularly interested in recurrence as treatment rarely involves further surgery, it’s the oncologists that treat recurrence. My experience of follow up post surgery & chemo have been a brief chat with the upper GI specialist nurse and maybe the nutritionist. Their conclusion more often than not was “well, you look well”. So I think that is probably the thing, how you look and how you feel.
Eat often and you’ll put on weight. Don’t worry too much about eating healthily- you probably don’t absorb too much anyway!
Exercise as much as you can. This will build muscle and help appetite and make you feel and sleep better.
HI, We were told pretty much the same, it has been a meeting just asking how he is and the last appointment was only a phone call. Your just left to it afterwards I think.
Good luck on your journey I hope you get through the chemo best you can and your right when its all done just enjoy yourself, thats what we are trying to do we have ha a holiday and a few good nights out so far but now I think somethings up again, trying to get him to ring dr is another issue lol
Hi I had a reoccurrence early 2022. My symptoms were the same as the first time around, I found it difficult to swallow most types of food. My weight went down a bit but not to much because I think I knew there was something wrong quicker than the first time. I had 4 lots of chemo followed by 25 lots of radiotherapy. After the scan they said the tumour had significantly reduced. That was about 6 month's ago. I’ve just had another scan and will find out next week how things are going. I feel good and can eat as normal just not so much. Try not to panic, I found if I just go along with everything that’s happening and put my trust in the teams of people looking after me it makes things easier. I was diagnosed when I was 58 and didn’t think I would see 59. I’m 62 now and life is as normal as can be. Just stay positive.
Thank you for this, hes back ontop having a great week and back at the gym just seems to go up and down and I think im panicking he most. Oncologist yesterday said hes doing very well so will just have to run with that and wait on the next tests being done. Hes 47 and very fit before this.
