Joined this forum a while back, but felt too tired to say 'Hi'
I have oesophageal cancer and also a small tumour on my lung, so I gather surgery is not an option.
Chemotherapy and radiotherapy last year seem to have shrunk the oesophageal tumour, so that's good, but the radiotherapy left what feels like a football-sized lump of scar tissue at the top of my stomach, which effectively stops me swallowing. Stress makes it worse, and I'm carer for my mum who has dementia, a stressful situation despite the wonderful folk I have around supporting her and me.
Apart from that, I feel fine, just worrying about getting a balanced diet - most fruit and veg seems to be in the naughty list, plus all bread, most meat and some fish - some days I have only milk and coffee. Reviews show the tumours are not growing as yet, so the treatment I had was obviously very successful.
Got my diagnosis about a week before my 70th birthday - that was a fun birthday - and just after I had resigned from all my voluntary work in order to enjoy retirement. Mum's dementia was finally confirmed this year, but she's been confused and forgetful for years really. Everything got worse just after she had a mini-stroke about halfway through my chemotherapy. Sometimes I feel I'm living in the middle of a soap opera ;-)
I still love cooking, so have to throw parties to get my 'fix' of kitchen chores, otherwise my poor husband would be very fat.
Social life is great, and I went back to the voluntary work, because wintering in Tenerife is no longer an option. Hoping for several more years with my lovely family, and if anyone has any bright ideas about getting food down this damaged food pipe I'm open to suggestions xx
Hello Rosetta
Thank you for taking the time to post on the forum and share with us some of your story so far.
Great to read that it looks as if the treatment you had for the OC seems to have worked, sorry though to read about Mum's dementia 
It is quite difficult to give any suggestions regarding your swallowing, have you considered contacting the Macmillan team directly? they may have some known, tried and tested advise. There number is in my signature below, though I am sure you have seen it on the forum and around the site.
I am pleased that you are still able to enjoy cooking and can throw parties, after everything that you have been through you deserve to have some fun and laughter. I am sure you will have many more years with your family and maybe even get back to Tenerife, (my husband and I went earlier this year, as he was given the all clear to travel by his oncologist) I wish you all the best.
Lowe'
Rosetta
sorry for the late response, I do hope you continue to move forwards in a positive way and your young dog continues to enjoy her walks,.
I would say if you can re teach yourself swallowing on soft foods just a tiny tiny piece at a time, that may help with the eating going forwards, but if you feel that the stress is not worth it, then I understand that too.
Wishing you all the best
Lowe'
