Oesophageal cancer diagnosis

Hi Gary,

So sorry about the news that you have been given. I presume you are still waiting to find out what treatment options there are for you (chemo, radiotherapy, immunotherapy or a combination). Regardless of what you are offered, please don’t try and do it on your own. The support of your family will be vital in the months ahead. Don’t shut them out now. Best wishes, CB

Hello

I assume your family do not know how you feel, in that they still believe you want them to appear as if they are carrying on as normal.  For that’s what they will be doing appearing to crack on as normal but inside they too will be falling apart. Tell them how you feel.

There is another forum for patients living with incurable cancer that if you have not joined already, you may find helpful It’s a safe space where we can talk about our mental health. The anxiety you have is not specific to oesophageal cancer. Just a suggestion. 

Take care x 

Hi Gary,

If you want someone to chat to and have 12 weeks support thwn the MacMillan Buddy Service will have a volunteer call you each week and you can chat about anything you wish and let off your anxiety with someone, this is a link to the details if you wished to contact

https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/get-help/emotional-help/macmillan-buddies

Hope you keep going I suvived you will, Take Care Tony

Dear Gary. As soon as you can tell your wife you can’t do this on your own. You have to be able to talk about how you’re feeling, even if it’s a jumbled up mess in your head. Your wife and grown up kids will be doing as you’ve asked but they will be so unsure as to how to act too. Please ask for help. Julie x

Hi coolblue, well im finally going in tomorrow to have stent fitted down my throat. Hope it works coz whilst im never eating normally again will look forward to something more than soup.or yoghurts !!

Im feeling so isolated n cant shake it.

Hi Gary,

Whenever I was having problems swallowing, some of my food options included;

• Blended soups (with a dash of double cream)
• Runny cottage pie
• Porridge (made with full fat milk & cream)
• cheesy soft scrambled eggs
• custard (M&S do a very nice one)
• smoothies made with full fat milk, milk powder, bananas & ice cream

I was advised by my dietician to maximise the calories, hence the addition of cream, cheese, etc to every dish. Hope this helps. Good luck. CB

Yeah im currently down to tomato soup n yoghurts to supplement. I cant even get down the small pieces in oxtail, chicken soup etc. Cant keep any potato down at all. Im starving here. Luckily im.not a skeleton ( yet ). I really hope this stent will change my outlook ? Oh to have some pasta or rice. I really need some substance going down me. Im guessing my throats very thin now ? 

Hi Gary. I’m so sorry you’re feeling so isolated and alone, but I remember feeling like that until I began to talk more openly about my feelings with my husband. I think at first you have to process the situation yourself. I found that the medical interventions enabled my husband to hear everything and it was then easier to talk. Kasvin, on an earlier post, has encouraged you to phone the MacMillan helpline which is a good idea, even if you’re not sure what good will come of it, it will help you feel like you’re taking control. 
I hope the procedure for the stent goes well tomorrow. Will be thinking of you. 
Please come back to the forum where you will find support, understanding and good advice. Take care, Julie

Update, i had a stent fitted yesterday. Im dry heaving constantly, my stomach and chest is in pain. I cant face any food !! Just had a sip from a cup of tea, again dry heaving !!! Very very downhearted right now, absolutely no strength, wish now i hadnt let everyone talk me into it ?? Is this normal and how long does it last ??