Hi,
I have been reading the posts on here over the last couple of days and love how kind and positive everyone is. I so need that positivity now.
My Husband was told about a month ago that he had Barrett's Esophagus that looked benign so we were blindsided when the biopsy came back with "Early signs of cancer in a few cells". In his initial consultation with a surgeon last week he was told that the CT scan shows no spread, but because of the trouble he is having with eating they say it is more advanced than we initially thought. He needs to have a PET test and then Laparoscopy (yet to be booked). Only if these are clear will they perform surgery. He has his initial Oncologist appointment on 23rd Dec. At the moment we feel in limbo, not knowing what is going to happen and praying that he will be able to have the operation.
I have so many question, but to start I am concerned about the impact of Covid. Do we, or just my husband, need to self isolate whilst he is being treated with chemo/radiotherapy? We both work from home so our main risk of is our 15 year old daughter going to school. When he starts treatment should we be speaking to the school about Home Learning (which she loves as she has anxiety around going in to school since Covid)?
Thanks Everyone
Hi Goldie 3, Welcome to the forum,
Unfortunately it's the waiting that's the problem, I was diagnosed 2 months ago and it seems a long road of waits/tests etc my treatment starts this Wednesday but I have still got various tests to be carried out. My treatment is all Chemo and Radiotherapy, surgery would be a salvage job, this is because mine is very high up.
They found mine on a routine scan as I had my voicebox removed in August 2020 so was on 3 monthly checks, my Oncologist for this though is very confident I will be cured with the treatment plan but with cancer in general who knows
Unfortunately regarding the Covid part I can't advise but you can always contact your Clinical Nurse if they have been appointed to you always direct even daily if you want any question to them. I can't have Covid Tests as all my breathing air is via a filter in my neck so getting Covid and giving covid would be very difficult- that's my lucky part of all this !
Stay in touch with this forum as I'm sure you will get many more replies and help
Take Care
Tony
We will move mountains to help people with cancer live life as fully as they can.
We'll do whatever it takes. For information, support or just someone to talk to,
call 0808 808 00 00 or visit www.macmillan.org.uk
Onwards and Upwards
Voicebox Cancer- Laryngectomy 2020 and Oesophagus survivor 2022
Adminitrative Assistant at Frimley Park Hospital, Cancer Support Hub
Hello Goldie3 (Di)
Sorry that I have not responded to your post sooner, I hope things not too difficult for you all at the moment.
Welcome to the forum and I hope that you will reach out here whenever you need to... with regards to you questions, I can only tell you how things have been for us...
My husband is on targeted chemotherapy, and in my home lives He, I , one of our daughters, her partner and their two primary school children, other than when he initially received a positive covid test back in May 2020 the whole family have never isolated, he has his treatment fortnightly and the girls go to school and are around him daily, so as long as general precautions are taken things should be ok, for your daughter to carry on as normal as possible during the treatment. The kids get out of their school uniform as soon as they get home, a quick wash of hands and face and hang around the house as normal, we have thankfully had no problems. Obviously if your daughter prefers home working, then there is no reason why that subject can't be broached with the school anyway. 
I hope that your husband starts getting answered and treatment soon and we are here if you need us.
Lowe'
Hi Lowe',
Thank you so much for your reply.
You certain have a lot of people in your house It's good to hear that your grandchildren have been able to continue with the normality of school. I really appreciate you sharing your experience as it has put my mind at rest.
Thank you,
Di
