Recent diagnosis

Im so sorry to hear what yous are going through , we lost our mum 5 years ago,  she had a operation for asophagus cancer which was a success but 2 years after she got brain tumours, we looked after her till she passed. I've now got the same asophagus cancer fou d out in March so my fight is ongoing. Mum had high calorie drinks that the hospital gave her . I'm not religious but I find myself praying and ill pray for yourself ,your husband and all your family.  All my love Tony. 

Fortisip and Fortijuice are I think 200ml drinks that contain from memory around 300 calories. Other than that you could also add cream/butter to soups and mash potato, also try custard and rice pudding? Again made with the full fat versions. Add double cream to yoghurt? 

I'm so very sorry that you and your husband are in this situation. It's an incredibly rough journey and so very unfair. 

You could also try adding cream cheese, melted cheese, smooth pate, salmon mousse and similar high protein smooth foods. On the sweet side there's panna cotta, creme brulee, yogurts, mousses, fools. Enjoy!!!

The OPA cancer charity have some literature that might be useful. Books with ideas and recipes for when eating or swallowing is a problem. You can order from their website. 
Sending love …. I know how hard this is. 
Geraldine xx

Hi Ellie73,

My husband was diagnosed Dec 23 spread to lymph nodes and liver, palliative care only, he is 57 and our son is 14.

My husband had 6 cycles of Capox and 10 sessions of radiotherapy, he is currently on 2nd line chemo of paclitaxel, last CT scan showed oesophagus tumour and lymph nodes stable, liver mets gone but new spots on the bones in his hip, he currently has a lot of pain in his leg and hip and he hopes to have another blast of radiotherapy.

We also found out last week he has skin cancer, he has to have biopsy on the lump on his chin now then hopefully they can cut it out.

My husband has been fighting for 17 months now and it is one hell of a rollercoaster but never give up. 

Some days will be really hard but we have to be strong for our loved one.

My husband lost 6 stone in weight but has managed to put a stone back on, when he couldn't eat the high calorie shakes from the dietician helped him and plenty of custard and full fat milk.

Stay strong 

Angie xx

Hello Ellie,

I was diagnosed with oesphegal cancer 10th March 2025. CT scan later showed organs clear but nodal masses around two important arteries in my abdomen and “widespread nodal involvement”. Apparently this makes my case inoperable with palliative chemo my only option. I am not eligible for targeted or immunotherapy. I’ve had two rounds of CAPOX chemo and hopefully third tomorrow. I am a 55 year-old male with zero health issues and normal BMI until now.

I cannot speak for others but in MY case, the advice I wish I received at the time is:

1. Don’t go googling stuff. Internet searches receive more traffic if they are sensationalised (like the news is to generate traffic for advertising).

2. Don’t look too far ahead. Take each day as it comes and revel in minor positive things that will happen.

3. Talk immediately to the GP and start on Escitalopram minimum dose as it takes time to get over the nausea / zombie side effect BUT will help me compartmentalise things.

4. Get prepared but ensuring I have the seasonal ‘flu and COVID vaccines.

5. Buy a health watch that monitors my vitals while I sleep. This cancer will cause my blood to go into a hypercoagulative state putting me at risk of a pulmonary embolism. The watch will need at least a week to establish a “baseline” of what is normal. (Ask me how I know this- my Apple Watch S10 saved my life - ambulance admission and a hospital stay with a P.E. 2 weeks after the first chemo). I was told I’m lucky to be alive.

6. Place myself in the hands of professionals and ALWAYS ask for advice from you oncology Key Worker before starting on any form of supplement. Some will affect how the chemo works in a negative way. Think twice before taking well-intentioned advice from friends that have discovered “miracle cures”.

7. Positivity is not easy to find when I am in these circumstances BUT I will find some by making some lifestyle changes. I gave up alcohol, caffeine, spicy food and anything I felt would irritate my oesophagus (where the cancer started). My positivity will come from doing everything “right”, and that includes timing of the meds and reporting any issues immediately to the Acute Onclogy Service hotline - I will receive a card with symptoms to watch out for.

8. Buy an A5 day-to-page diary. Use it to log everything from meals to pains, liquid intake, sleep etc. I will find a pattern of what works for me and what doesn’t. It will also be useful when reporting side effects. Make full use of the supportive meds - my body will not be working the way it used to.

9. CAPOX chemotherapy will make me “immune compromised”. Avoid shopping at busy times, tell well-intentioned visitors to stay away if they feel unwell. I can’t worry about upsetting people, this is too important.

10. Do NOT push myself: listen to my body. Try to eat well but stop before I approach fullness to reduce the risk of nausea. No need to go buying reduced fat stuff because my weight will now fall off at an alarming rate with the meds and worry. Exercise, but not so much that I become breathless or venture too far from help. Ideally go with someone else just in case.

Ok, so I know this is a bit of an essay but I hope that it is of use to you and anybody else who is an unwilling member of this “club”. Also, please remember that this is the advice I wish that I had received, it may not work for everyone.

-Boff.

You are amazing, thank you for taking the time to share all that valuable information.

Take care xx

This would be great on your profile!! 

Thank you both, you’re very kind. I have edited it slightly and put it on my profile.

Dear Boff

i appreciate you have a caveat in your advice that is, that it is what works for you. And I appreciate fully your good intent.

i am interested to know why the internet does not work for you?  Would you give us an example of where you consider the information you received on oesophageal cancer was sensationalised or linked to advertisements. This practice would be a breach of medical ethics.

For it is my experience that the internet is CRITICAL to understand the disease and treatment. This knowledge and vocabulary  enables one to formulate specific questions about one’s own diagnosis to pose to health professionals. I find the information handed out in leaflets is too general and raises more questions than answers. 

I also understand some patients and their families do not want to “google” because it makes for dismal reading. I have not come across any instances of misinformation or advertising linked to researching the disease (as far as I am aware). 

Best Regards