Scared

Fingers crossed everything will turn out okay for your Dad. 

Hi Lisa. Of course you are worried about your dad. I am sure you will both be far more settled once he has gone through the full diagnostic procedures and a treatment route is proposed. There are lots of positive stories on here from people who have got through this either with or without surgery. It can be rather a long process though and he will need all your support. You say he is otherwise  fit and this will help him enormously. I suggest you come back on the site when you have a clear idea of his proposed treatment route and others who have already been down a similar pathway will be able to help you further. I hope all goes well. My own story is summarised in my profile.

Hi Lisa what a horrible shock for you all, I think lots of us would say that the initial diagnosis and waiting for confirmation of exactly what you’re dealing with (spread or not, surgery or not etc) is the worst bit and very challenging and scary. My husband had something on his liver picked up by the ct scan and also a mark on one of his kidneys that they weren’t sure about. I got myself in a massive panic about both and they turned out to be nothing sinister. I would take what the nurse has said for the moment and stick with that if you can. There’s lots of hopeful positive stories on here including ours - my husband’s tumour was one of the largest the surgeon had seen and they only  agreed a trial operation as they weren’t sure it could be removed. But they did and he had a good recovery. 3 years later we’re dealing with a recurrence but he’s responding well to the treatment and we’re ok and getting on with our life together. Do use this lovely community as much as you need to, there are always people around who understand exactly what you’re going through. Keep us posted x

Oh Jane Thankyou so so much for replying yes so hard the unknown is so scary .. he has a pet scan tomororow and then maybe next week there will be a treatment plan ..

Wow I bet you were petrified when you knew he had such a large tumour to he removed but hey he got through it xxx amazing 

im so so sorry to hear he has a reacurance you always live on your nerves it will make its ugly return .. but he sounds like a strong man and you sound so lovely and supportive he can get through it xxx 

I will keep you updated if that’s ok xxx 

Yes of course Lisa and you’re welcome to pm me if that’s helpful x

Hi Lisa    In May 2022 my daughter could have written your exact words with just one small differance, my tumor was 5cm. The next few weeks will be all about scans , tests consultations and worry but as other's have said it's far from a hopeless situation. The treatment is tough but people get through it and ilfe can go on. Hopefully that will be the case with you and your dad.

Hi Jane, hope you dont mind me asking, had a reocurance show in a lymph node, 13 months after my oesophagus surgery, so going back to the churchill 9am wednesday, did you have options for which treatment,

thank you so much jules

Hi Jules so Paul had a recurrence of the tumour growing back at the new junction picked up 2.5 years after his oesphagectomy via an endoscopy when he started to feel there was a problem swallowing. We weren’t given treatment choices, just either have chemo and hope he’s a match for immunotherapy (which he was) or don’t do treatment and have 6-12 months. The only other things that have been mentioned are radiotherapy if he’s getting bleeding and a stent if the food pipe gets too narrow. Fortunately so far he’s needed neither. I think the 6 rounds of chemo and immunotherapy followed by ongoing immunotherapy seems to be the standard offer! Sending lots of positive vibes to you xx

• Oh Thankyou so so so much xx