Dad

FormerMember
FormerMember
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Dad got his OC diagnosis in February. 

He's had Barratts Oesophagus for about 30 years so regular cameras picked this up early. We are lucky, it hasn't spread. 

Stumbled across the forum when reading up on treatment. I wanted to know what a PICC Line was...

PICC line in tomorrow for pops and chemo starts on Wednesday. 8 weeks of chemo then hopefully surgery to remove any cells left.

66 years young this man is my hero. 

He's struggling with feeling low. Mum is being a trooper.

Hard to know how to help... my brother and I have bought him hand cream, a water bottle with a straw and a beanie hat from his football club shop... any other suggestions that could bring comfort in this awful situation gratefully received!!

If you managed to read this far... thanks! Kissing heart

  • Hi 

    Thats good news it hasn’t spread & it was picked up early. 

    Hope the PICC line goes ok today. 

    i am so with you on not knowing how best to help. I had started to get a few bits together for my dad on the assumption he could have chemo etc. I had seen that ginger tea and also mint tea can be good for digestion and I also got some lip balm (not sure how my dad will feel about this Joy) but heard some treatments can make your lips dry. I hadn’t thought about a bottle with a straw - think I will get one of those too, thanks Blush 

    Take care x 

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to Hope_86

    Thank you Blush

    Lip balm is a great idea, I'm also not sure how he will feel at first but I'm sure if he needs it he will use it. I'll get him some! Some of the side effects will be so uncomfortable Confused

    I've started knitting him a scarf in his team colours - keeps me busy and will hopefully keep him warm.

    Thanks for taking time to reply.

    Take care xx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    So, this week Dad had PICC line in on Monday, blood transfusion Tuesday and Chemo started Wednesday.

    It’s been hard because Dad is finding it hard and extremely emotional. Trying to support mum best I can because she is being amazing. I live 2hrs away and my brother lives 4 hours away from them so we are doing our best from afar. I feel at a loss with how I can help, if I can help at all... I FaceTime them to talk, we sometimes have cups of tea ‘together’.

    My Dad has always had a gorgeous thick head of hair and it’s already starting to fall out. It’s a small price to pay in the scheme of things but I think it’s been a shock for everyone.

    Sending thoughts, love and strength to anyone and everyone who stumbles in here. 
    I’m sorry if you’re going through this too 

    UD xx

  • FormerMember
    FormerMember in reply to FormerMember

    Hi,

    I think you know by now that a PICC line is a form of catheter that is inserted usually above the elbow. It is "pushed" into the main vein that leads to the heart. It's merely a long term vessel which the chemo medications are administered through, instead of having multiple injections.

    I hope I'm right here, but as there hasn't been any spread of cancer, maybe the chemo will be all that's needed, no operation. Or they may even go for Radiotherapy, non invasive & very effective. I know from recent experience. My mums tumour disappeared after Radical Radiotherapy, & no malignant cells were found. Unfortunately, a PET scan revealed mum had nodular growths in her lungs. But as you say, your dad's cancer hasn't spread, so I'm hoping that your dad won't need any invasive surgery, & even if he does, techniques have improved vastly during the last 15 years, keyhole surgery may be a viable option.

    My thoughts are with all of you, I wish your dad all my very best.

    Regards,

    Graeme.