Husbands Cancer Diagnosis

Hi yes sadly we have to be pro active in all aspects of treatment. Honestly the waiting’s the worst part .I used to make my husband go out if only for an hour or so as it gives you both space. Speaking as the patient we also need a bit of us time and it will do you good as well . There’s a great life still to be had just takes time to get back on track. 
we’ve been there got the t shirt so to speak. 

hugs Hazel 

He had his letter through for his pre-op which isn’t until the 15/3.

Feeling less anxious now. Took the dogs on a long walk this morning and felt a lot better for doing so.

x

Thanks Hazel. Went for a lovely long walk with the dogs today. Husband stayed at home and chilled. x

Bexx85 said:

He had his letter through for his pre-op which isn’t until the 15/3.

Feeling less anxious now. Took the dogs on a long walk this morning and felt a lot better for doing so.

It’s not going to be easy. There’s no sugar coating this but we trust our teams, trust our bodies and do it a day at a time. 
Well done. So pleased you feel better. 

Hi great you both need your space. From being put on pathway to treatment starting I was 63 days. How long had Larry the lump beeen  there if I’m totally honest I’ve no idea first noticed it late February while boarding  a ferry to Spain. Thought I’d pulled a muscle  so reckon you can add another 10 weeks. So that’s 17 weeks minimum. I’m still here. 
Treatments brutal but certainly better than the alternative snd I’m a wimp but I did it so will hubby. 

Hazel xx

Thanks Hazel. Each day as it comes. x

Hi

Do sympathise: my husband has cancer in the lower oesophagus and also feels something at the back of his throat that makes anything apart from water and juice stick. Sleeping is hard so he's knackered as well as fatigued. He also coughs up quantities of white phlegm. Coping with it by feeding him more or less totally though the PEG and find that sucking ice cubes and drinking water helps with the throat issue (though not so much that he can swallow normal food). Consultants have decided to insert a stent. Agree that the waiting is the worst: he waited five months from diagnosis to first chemo, and now they've decided chemo isn't working well so they'll at last test for biomarkers. Do ask about tests for biomarkers because if the cancer has spread them immunotherapy or targeted therapy might be your best option. Don't be polite as we were and trusted when the nurse said biomarker tests had been ordered. Push hard for them sooner would be my advice. 

wesurvived said:

Do ask about tests for biomarkers because if the cancer has spread them immunotherapy or targeted therapy might be your best option.

Hi wesurvived 

The biomarkers for HNC are DNA/P16 which determine HPV status and PDL1. You don’t have to ask for them. They are routinely done. Oropharyngeal SCC is quite different from lower oesophageal which is usually adenocarcinoma. 
HPV driven tumours respond extremely well to RT

 Bexx85  husband hasn’t got a complete diagnosis yet so it’s best not to muddy the waters. 

Sorry Bexx35 I've clearly got it wrong. 

Bexx, sorry to hear about your husbands diagnosis however this is the right place for you both to get some advice and reassurance as most of the contributors are, like me, people who have undergone a similar pathway. It will be tough on you and your family as your husband’s treatment progresses and you will be able to provide much needed moral and practical support for him. 
Try, if possible to get him to eat many calories as he can manage as he is likely to lose some weight as a consequence of the CRT and will probably become reliant on his feeding tube.

Wishing you both all the best.

- John