Hello everyone

Sue, really sorry to hear what is going on in your family. I wouldn't jump to conclusions it could be a lot of things. One of my friends when he lost his dad had a lot of issues swallowing and it was down to anxiety and not something physical. My cousin too has had an endoscopy in the past as he was throwing up a lot and there wasn't anything there. Try to remain calm our mind always thinks of the worst scenario. I hope it goes well tomorrow

Hello Sue 

Welcome to the Forum, I just wanted to reach out and ask how things are?

We are here for you if you would like to chat

Lowe'

Hi

Thanks for thinking of us. We are slightly confused at the moment. H thought he was going to have an endoscopy but the appointment was actually with an ENT Consultant. He had a nasal camera test which showed nothing untoward and is now waiting for a barium swallow test. This should have happened today but it was our nephews funeral so had to put it off. Now on 22nd March. So we are still in limbo and don't really know what to think. Thanks again for your support.

Hi Sue 

As Vinny has said previously sometimes it is not what we think it is, but hopefully you will get some more information soon. 

Positive thoughts to you both

Lowe'

Things have progressed since last post. Endoscopy showed tumour mass biopsies taken and CT scan last Saturday. Waiting for next appointment now. Not coping too well with anxiety and adjusting to different way of preparing meals for G but he is coping with liquidised meals and soups with extra cream etc. Weight loss seems to have stabilised. Not sure what the future holds for us but we look at the last 10 good years since he had bowel cancer as a bonus. 50 years together not bad going but don't want it to end just yet.

Hi Sue 

Thank you for keeping us updated, I understand the levels of anxiety that this waiting can cause, and as you both have been through this before you are no stranger to it either, but as you say, already the past 10 years have been a bonus, and who knows, the next 10 years may to be a bonus.  Dal and I take everyday that way now 

Has he been offered any of the nutriment drinks? I know you say his weight loss is stable and he is managing liquidised meals but potentially the extra nutrition in the drinks like Fresubin or Fortisips may also be of benefit to him. 

Hopefully you will not have to wait too long until his next appointment , thinking of you both

Best of luck

Lowe'

Hi Lowe 

Thank you for your reply. I spoke to a very nice lady at our GP surgery about the drink supplements and she said that she thought what I told her about his diet was pretty good at the moment and the longer he can cope with proper food the better for him but we do have the option if the supplements if needed. We now have a telephone appointment next Tuesday not sure what to expect from that so its wait and see time again. 

Thanks for your support

Sue

Hi all

Had our telephone appointment yesterday not brilliant news. CT showed spread to liver so palliative chemo only. Waiting now for appointment with oncologist. Side effects from chemo sound scary  is the treatment worse than the illness? Local  Macmillan nurses have been in contact and are amazing I think I am going to need all the support they can give me. Not feeling too positive this morning but trying not to let G see how I am feeling. This is so hard.

Morning Sue,

Chemotherapy symptoms differ for each individual. Never look up the symptoms for a drug online they have to cover every possible thing to cover their backs. My experience with chemotherapy was that I had fatigue for the first week of treatment and i would be light headed if I stood up in the first few days. At times during the treatment I got dry skin (ask doctors for moisturiser and stuff for the bath I recommend dermol 500) your mouth also becomes sensitive so get a kids sensitive toothbrush and flavourless toothpaste. Blue'm products are brilliant. 

If he is on a drug ending with the words platin he will also get cold sensitivity so its good to wrap up warm and stay in when the weather is rubbish.

From a high level I'd say I felt hungover for the first week of the treatment and then got better and better as it progressed feeling normalish at the end.

The symptoms are different for everyone, but here is my experience. Getting the chemotherapy itself you sit in a room with lovely nurses and relax for a few hours in a comfy chair. Just bring plenty of stuff to do and i bring stuff to eat.

Hi Vinny

Thanks for that all your advice appreciated and noted. The reality of a situation can sometimes turn out to be better than you fear it will be so hope that's the case. 

Best wishes 

Sue