Hi , I was diagnosed just before Christmas, I've had a CT scan and a P.E.T scan, the tumour hasn't spread anywhere else but the P.E.T scan showed something higher up and the specialist isn't sure what it is, I've got to have another test to see what it is, if it comes back none cancerous then my treatment can start before my operation but if it comes back cancerous then they told me they can't operate but can have chemo etc.
I'm so scared, I keep breaking down and getting upset!
Hi Ice Man. Hey you are a very brave man to have posted your fears. Ice Man I was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer on the 5th February 2021 and to be honest with you once I got over that initial shock I had to adopt a positive attitude, both for myself and my family.
When I got over the initial shock, I came to terms with the diagnosis and I then asked the consultant when could the cancer be removed from my body. Like yourself I had a C.T. Scan, followed up by a PET SCAN and it was discovered that I had a 5cm cancerous growth at the base of my oesophagus, where it joined my stomach and that I would have to have my oesophagus removed, all of it.
To be honest with you Ice Man I had no real concept of what this entailed, but after having a very detailed and graphic conversation with the consultant who would be carrying out the surgery, I knew that I had a real battle to face up to! I attended my local Cancer Centre where I meet with the M.D.T. whose care I would be under. I can honestly say that each and everyone whom I met during this part of the process, was more than willing to help, support and guide me through things.
I underwent 3 sessions of chemo and it was decided that I had had enough chemo to prepare me for surgery. Whilst I was relieved about this I would have battled on if I was told that I needed the 4 sessions. For support Ice Man I reached out to my family and I also set up a WhatsApp group entitled “Friends and Colleagues,” and I adopted the motto: Cancer May have started the fight but I will finish it!”
I did undergo a 9 hour operation in July 2021 and I had a bit of a rough time afterwards as I had to spend 3 weeks in the I.C.U. and a further 3 weeks in a Ward where the staff were trained to help patients who had underwent this type of surgery and again Ice Man I cannot speak highly enough of their help, compassion and their ability to help me through this difficult process.
Ice Man, I will be 100% honest with you this evening when I say that I have remained positive about the whole Cancer thing and I am reaching out to you in order to try and give you my experiences an
I would encourage you to stay positive and reach out to everyone and anyone who will be there for you! I hope that this has given you a bit of hope and I will keep an eye to see if you reply to thisost and I will offer you any help, advice, encouragement that I can! Keep me posted and stay positive! 
