Rigid Endoscopy

Hi and I feel for you with your decision.  I suspect a few of us have to make similar decisions.  Twice I have made the decision between having chemo & RT with no evidence of the cancer being still present.  In those cases I chose not to have the treatment as I valued a) my, then, quality of life and b) if I was going to use my one shot for CRT then I wanted a positive target to hit.

That is not the same as your choice, but I suspect the thought process is similar.  You have to look at the evidence presented as to why you need the scoping and what the benefits may be vs a sensible approach to the downsides if it goes wrong.

Alas, only you can make that choice.  I feel from what you have said you are almost there in that decision, but can't quite make it.

Take some time, don't be rushed by the hospital.  Discuss with your family.

I can't help you with your decision, but I am comfortable with the 2 choices I made, even though in the end a few years late the cancer re-emerged and I went through CRT.

Thanks Peter. I hope you are doing well nowadays. I'm intriged as to you saying I am almost there in my decision - which way?

JBloggs said:

I was examined on three occassions by different ENT's using a nasal scope. Each examination was clear. One of those was done in the local hospital, and one in the National ENT Hospital UCLH London. The London person said they would expect to see something on the nasal scope, but did an MRi with contrast to make sure. This was clear and they discharged me.

That would be good enough for me

Good evening JBloggs, I agree with Dani, i went through 3 big operations, and after my second i lost the ability to swallow whole food and have a permanent PEG feeding tube although i can swallow tinned soups that have been blended so no lumps are present along with tea, coffee etc. I had three years of operations along with radio and chemo and although i cannot swallow or speak i have not regretted what i went through and trusted my Consultant throughout. Good luck.

                                                                               Chris

Hi JBlogs

That is a tough decision to make. Like Chris I have had 3 lots of cancer but in my jaw at different times over the years. With the second lot of cancer initially it was an inconclusive result after a biopsy but my surgeon was fairly certain it was cancer. He took my case to the team he meets with where they discuss patient's cases. I was given 2 options, go ahead and have surgery (it was going to be a big surgery) or wait and see. I opted for 'wait and see' as I knew that this surgery would be a life changer for me. I got an extra few months before it became really clear that it was cancer but I was always glad that I waited for that time and had a few more months of 'normal' life. I had a great holiday in that time where I could eat normally. If you are uncertain what to do you could take the 'wait and see' approach until things become clearer. I wouldn't be rushed into things.

Lyn