Thanks for replying. I'm aged 71 but my oesophageal cancer is inoperable. It is being managed quite well with immunotherapy. Are you able to eat well now and how are your energy levels?
Are you happy to chat about how this has impacted you and your family. I understand if you'd rather not.
I am happy to chat I had 25 radiotherapy sessions and five chemo before the op which absolutely wiped me out. I am doing most things I done before the op but at a much slower pace. I can't walk as far as I used too. I can eat almost anything now. I am veggie bordering on vegan . I eat very slowly so find everything goes cold before I am finished. I am a widow so my two sons looked after me post op . I also have a wonderful doctors surgery who also looked after me very well post op cos sometimes I felt very poorly. Ask me anything you need to know. Why is your tumour inoperable
I am happy to chat I had 25 radiotherapy sessions and five chemo before the op which absolutely wiped me out. I am doing most things I done before the op but at a much slower pace. I can't walk as far as I used too. I can eat almost anything now. I am veggie bordering on vegan . I eat very slowly so find everything goes cold before I am finished. I am a widow so my two sons looked after me post op . I also have a wonderful doctors surgery who also looked after me very well post op cos sometimes I felt very poorly. Ask me anything you need to know. Why is your tumour inoperable
I am happy to chat I had 25 radiotherapy sessions and five chemo before the op which absolutely wiped me out. I am doing most things I done before the op but at a much slower pace. I can't walk as far as I used too. I can eat almost anything now. I am veggie bordering on vegan . I eat very slowly so find everything goes cold before I am finished. I am a widow so my two sons looked after me post op . I also have a wonderful doctors surgery who also looked after me very well post op cos sometimes I felt very poorly. Ask me anything you need to know. Why is your tumour inoperable
Also how i forgot to mention the week after my treatment ended I was i n hospital four nights. Then a few weeks after being discharged with my op I found myself again in hospital for ten nights with a water and chest inf and fluid and two clots on my lung. This was a really scary time so not had an easy ride
I'm pleased you have some good support. It's so important. I am fortunate in that my husband of 51 years has been brilliant. I also have 2 children though my daughter lives quite a way from us. They've also supported us from the start. And my sister and some old school friends are also there for me.
I was diagnosed in May 2023 and told from the start that it was stage 3 terminal oesophageal cancer which was a lot to get our heads round. Such difficult conversations with our family! Further investigation suggested an operation might be possible and was therefore curative. However, after a brutal round of chemo which had horrendous side effects, things got worse. I had to have a nasal feeding tube and further scans showed some spread of the cancer and it was back to being terminal. A total roller coaster!
I now have oesophageal stents which means I can eat and drink quite well. I also have to eat slowly and am having to get used to cold food. I also get tired very quickly. I've been on a 2 year course of immunotherapy which comes to an end in December. This has been quite successful in that the tumour is very stable and no further spread of cancer. It's difficult to know how much more time I have. After the immunotherapy finishes I'll be monitored/scanned to check for any changes.
I suppose the hardest thing is adjusting to my current situation. It's difficult to get out or make plans. I'm never sure how I'm going to feel day to day.
Sorry to ramble on but you are first female I've spoken to who is going through this cancer
I too had a nasal tube which I absolutely hated and wouldn't go out
After the op I had a feeding tube which came out my stomach . I didnt mind that as it was invisible to the eye. I think I had that removed about 10 weeks after op. I just wanted to be normal. I'm not struggling to eat but can't eat too much so I'm having a problem with my weight well I'm not but the dieticians are
I just cannot tolerate the supplements. Thinking about you and I'm always here if needed xx
