Upper GI cancer

Thanks for sharing your story so far. I am in exactly the same place. I have to go on the 19/4 to discuss findings and next steps. Hoping for the best and fearing the worst. Not knowing at the moment is what bothers me, as my mind is trying to give me answers.

I haven't been brave enough to tell my family yet. I've decided I will wait until I have some answers for them. They don't need to be sad and worried any more than is necessary.

My wife knows and like me is trying to be as positive as we can until we know different. We obviously know that at best it will mean chemo, op and more chemo. That's not something I'm looking forward to but better than the alternative.

You're right about others being helpless. We are all helpless. The medics are the ones we are relying on now. Your family feel it too and have had their world rocked as well, even if they don't have the condition. You need to lean on each other.

Keep sharing, it's good to talk. Good luck going forward.

Hi,

The waiting is horrible. The unknown is such a pain especially when the world has been turned upside down. I was diagnosed August last year. I've had chemo plus surgery and currently completing the post surgery chemo. I still remember the shock of being told it was cancer after the endoscopy.  Even though the possibility was written all over the referral letter, I honestly thought it could be all sorts of other things causing the swallowing difficulties. 

If i may offer some advice - walk as much as your body is comfortable with.  Your fitness is going to be key for this journey. Our hearts and lungs respond quite quickly so don't worry if your unfit. Every INCH in the right direction is an inch won. Check with the hospital physios yo see if they have a program.  I did one before surgery and it was very helpful.

Knowing what the likely pathes are, can be helpful in grounding

There is still much staging to do - CT scan, PET scan, laproscopy where they'll take some fluid from the abdominal cavity to check for cancer cells but also plan for surgery if its possible. From the staging

Sorry pressed send too soon

From the staging the team can determine your treatment path. 

Please stay off Google- the stats are depressing and don't describe an individual's journey. I've met people on various forums who are 14 years plus post surgery from a time when survival rates were poor. So much has changed in treatments in more than a decade. There have much progress in areas like immunotherapy  and chemotherapy. 

Take a notebook and pen to write questions and someone else too. I was surprised how frazzled my brain was in those appointments although I thought i was holding it together.

The waiting for the staging snd diagnosis can feel like it takes forever but you'll soon be on the treatment journey.

Hang in there! Take care.

Suzy

Thanks so much for your support and information. I'm pretty upbeat by it all at the moment. I tend to deal with stuff as it comes. My wife not do much, I feel for her so much. She must be going through hell but isn't talking much, only when I do.

Next step, staging.

Thanks for posting.

Being upbeat is the best. I'm similar...best to not look to far ahead (I know it's easier said than done) but i figure that we need to make the best of today and it's simple pleasures..today i cleaned out my fish tanks. In a minute after my rest I'll plant some bulbs. 

You're wife may well need someone to talk to. There are various charities that offer support for carers/partners. Like look better, feel better which is online or Fountain centre in Guildford or of course Macmillan.  Its terrible for us but also extremely difficult for those that love us. My other half has been amazing but I can see the stress of it starting to really show. So I make him walk the dogs as a way to help me ;-)

I've also bought in easy cook meals like stir fries, slow cooker meals, etc. I'm having food delivered. Just anything practical to make things easier as there is a lot of household chores I'm not able to do consistently yet.

Take care,

Suzy

Amazing.

never thought I would be chatting about this sort of thing.

You are all great.

will stay in touch.

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