Gastroscopy

So sorry to hear about your recent experience.  I had an endoscopy and took sedation as recommended by the surgeon. I felt nothing and remembered nothing so my advice is take all the sedation that you can.

The GP has used the suspected cancer pathway to get you seen as quickly as possible! That’s a good thing as IF it is cancer then the earlier it is diagnosed the better! I had stomach cancer seven years ago and now lead a normal life! So try not to panic as stomach cancer is treatable especially if it’s found early.

There have been others who had symptoms and it wasn’t cancer.  It’s impossible not to worry but you’re getting the right tests to find out the cause! 

Thanks Jac It’s the unknown and there’s always been the worry that cancer would return. The hospital gave me the option of a throat spray or sedation and when I recently had a flexible sigmoidoscopy I found that gas and air didn’t really help so opted for the sedation Lx

Yes the fear of cancer never leaves you! I cope by focusing on what I can control! I can’t control the outcome but I can focus on the process! I watched the Chris Hoy documentary and it struck a chord with me! I had Bowel cancer ten years before I had stomach cancer.  It takes you back to a place you would rather not go! 
Hope all goes well and if I can help let me know! 

Thanks jac - I was “healthy” until about 13 years ago and it feels like it’s been one thing after another sometimes - had a colonoscopy a couple of years ago and a flexible sigmoidoscopy a couple of months ago and this is being done at the same hospital and same dept - I’ve found them to be very kind and calm so far so I’m hoping for the same on Friday. I try not to think about cancer all the time but as you say sometimes it just pops into your mind - it felt as if I was outside looking in during my breast cancer treatment, LX

So sorry to hear about all the health issues. At least you have a good GP that does the right thing straight away! 
When I had the gastroscopy for suspected colitis (turned out to be H. pylori), they offered sedation but couldn’t find a vein. I’m a tricky customer at the best of times, but not drinking for 3 hours doesn’t help. 
Everyone was very nice and doing their best, but between being used as a pin cushion and trying to take some throat spray and be brave for a couple of minutes I went for the throat spray. It’s literally a couple of minutes. Quite unpleasant, but you will be able to alert the nurse, she’s right there holding your hand!

Let’s hope they find something less daunting than stomach cancer and best of luck on Friday. 

Thanks for your reply. My veins are awful because of chemo and the fact that only my left arm can be used because of lymph node removal - I always have problems with blood tests or other treatment. I always joke that I need to grow another arm and like you not drinking for 3 hours isn’t going to help LX

Hi, just thought I would drop a quick note. Hope all goes well today!