Recently Diagnosed-Just saying hello. oesophageal

Hi Neil, my husband Dave was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer last month. Surgery not possible. As you say it is incredibly daunting. As we are only beginning this journey I don’t have any words of wisdom. I just wanted to reach out and let you know you are not alone. Hugs Lisa

Very few people will have a diagnosis very close to another's, but that does not stop them feeling, as we do, tremendous sympathy for your pain.

Best of luck. 

Hi Neil 

Welcome to the Forum, and sharing some of your experience so far, as like Lilla My husband was diagnosed with OC including secondaries in lymph, lung and liver in May 2020, treatment has been good to him, and although it is ongoing he id doing very well. (his story can be read in our blog, the link is on my profile)

It is understandable that things sound a bit daunting, treatments are different for everyone, not only on effects and side effects but also on how the treatment is carried out.. example is my husband has never received radiotherapy, but many others have had combined treatments.

Wishing you every success with your treatment going forwards and if you need any support at all let us know, you can also contact the Macmillan team on the number displayed in my signature.. they have a wealth at knowledge. 

Take care 

Lowe'

Hi Lilla, Although I am a lot further on this journey than your husband, for me to, surgery was not an option due o blood supply issue. I have had my chemo and 25 days of radiotherapy which ended 25th February 2022. A month ago I had a scan to see how things are. Yesterday I talked to the oncologist who told me that the tumour has not grown. Which is good. I think I was expecting more, like 'It's gone completely', but I will take what I have been given. For me chemo was worse than radiotherapy, but every one is different. What I would say to your husband is trust the professionals, keep the family in the picture and stay fit.

Hi Neil, My name is Selma. I also have oesophageal cancer the squamous cell kind. Last year I started treatment and about this time and

had about 27 radiation treatments and 5 or 6 chemo. I didnt feel ill until after the treatment ended then I started getting nausea and

retching.

I was fitted with a gastric feeding tub which i didn't need at first but soon I was unable to even drink water so started using the tube

Unfortunately it got stuck inside and i had to have an operation and a new one inserted which I now am reliant on. I was managing to eat

and drink for a while but then i started feeling nauseous and had difficulty swallowing. I had 3 oesophageal dilatations under sedation but

am no back to square 1. Still my doctors are keeping me going as I had metastasis in lungs, liver and peritoneum. I live in Cyprus and a

very good cancer charity is keeping me going aswell as very good cancer hospital.

I hope things go well for you. A doctor today told me not to give up and I have to fight it so I'm trying. It's good to hear of other people who

are in similar situation. I wish you all the best. 

Selma