Newbie

Hi 49 year old male here recently diagnosed, my daughter was with me at the time I was diagnosed so it was fairly easy for me.  However I did find it helpful to take them for a chat with my McMillan nurse, it takes the pressure off us having to try and answer questions that we just don't know the answers to.  One thing I do know is I find it a lot easier to talk about it now everyone knows and have had support from people I would never have expected.

Hi Horace, I’m sorry you’re going through this too. I found it easier to start telling family right at the onset of my swallowing issues to phoning the GP, endoscopy, and everything else after step by step so they have time to digest every stage. Might be different for everyone as husband and I are really close and we have a close relationship with our 17 year old daughter. I think the fact she’s almost an adult helps in my situation as may be having younger children might be more depressed difficult to explain.  

I was the same with my close friends and relatives too, giving them information as I received it myself.  Luckily, although mine is an aggressive adenocarcinoma at junction of Esophagus to stomach it was caught early enough and was removed 2 months ago.  Having last 4 rounds of chemo starting today to blast  any loose cells around. 

I can’t answer your question about eating with a stent as I didn’t have one but eating in general over past 6 months has been a challenge especially post op, - 2 months on and I’m finding my new normal.  I was advised to eat anything I could and with high calories starting with soft foods such as mashed potatoes and veg, ice cream, shakes, smoothies, soups etc.  I can eat lots of things now but in very small portion sizes.

Good luck with it all! 

Sorry, not sure how ‘depressed’ got in my sentence around the younger children bit! Lol  

Hi Freck thanks for the reply. My Drs and a few nurses did offer to have a chat with my family once I had the diagnosis but I declined.

Maybe I'll regret this in the near future but I had only found out myself and was still trying to process what was happening.

I also want to talk to the oncologist / specialist then answer any questions anyone has myself. If dont have all the answers I'm sure I'll still be able to reach out for help or support.

Once again thank for the reply and stay strong.

Hi Browndog I appreciate your reply, I'm glad to hear you have had family and friends around you from the start. I'm sure it does make a big difference. 

Your diet you spoke about is very similar to  what I'm allowed atm, I'm just trying to find ways of being creative and putting some weight on lol! 

Well good luck in the future to you and your family.  All the best. 

thank you - you too - hope you find your way of telling your folk

Hi Browndog

Am sure you'll not regret it as there will always be the offers to support you in that chat.  The time just wasn't right for you then as you were probably still in shock.  I know I was for a while I was as well.

There's no easy way to tell them but am sure you lol feel a lot of love and support from everyone when you do. Sometimes the thought can be harder than the task they say.

Hope you find your own way of telling them when your ready.

Hi Freck, I think there has been some confusion as it was Horace62 who was asking this question about telling family and friends - I was giving my thoughts to him about this.  Lol