Hi.

[bellakoda]

Hi all. A posted my story on about my dad having ophagus cancer which has spread to his lymph nodes. He had his 4th round of chemotherapy a wk ago and I have noticed he seems very low and not eatin.ano the chemo can make u ill but he has been ok with it until now. My question is the more chemo u get do u feel worse. Thank you. X

[listen]

You do feel worse as it is accumulative. The more treatments the more it builds up in your system. If you can keep me hydrated and maybe smoothies or high protein and any fat or whatever he can tolerate to eat is best even if it is whip creme! My favorite was gelato and everyone has there own tolerance level but to keep electrolytes and his weight up as much as possible is the key. A feeding tube is always an alternative if you feel he is losing to much weight? I recall that my sense of smell was so incredible and different food items would make me sick! Hang in there! You are an incredible child! Hope this helps? My doctors and dietician just told me eat, eat, eat! Anything just eat!

[bellakoda in reply to listen]

Hi thank you kindly for taking the time to get bk to me. He dnt feel like eating says he doesn't have a apatite. Did you have osphageal cancer too?. X

[listen in reply to bellakoda]

You are very welcome! Yes, I did have Oesophageal cancer too, I was diagnosed Dec 2,2013. Just finished all my treatments and am now cancer free! Does your father have access to this website or a laptop? If so if may help to have the conversation with others that have gone through this type of cancer and it may help you and him to develop a dialogue regarding his treatments. Stay positive and as Alan stated and others it is very normal to be depressed. It was the scariest thing I have ever been through and it makes one examine one's life and to tie up any loose ends which I did at the onset of my diagnosis as I too have a daughter and it was really difficult on her. Seeing a counselor can help you a lot as well as your whole family! Hope, Faith and a village of positive people!

[Hidden]

Yes, it does have a cumulative effect, and takes an awful lot out of the body, so he won't be cheerful about that side of it. There are various things like nutrition drinks that are relatively easy to cope with and will help to replace the good things that the chemo medication will knock out of him. They are strong drugs that are designed to kill the tumour, but not to kill the patient, but it does not always feel that way round.

It is also natural to feel low because this disease is literally life threatening, and your father will be trying to come to terms with the fact that his life with you may be limited. Most people need a bit of help with this, nit as a sign of weakness, but as something that has not happened to them before. Most cancer centres, especially places like Maggie's centres, have people trained to talk about what happens if/when the worst happens, and your father may find this useful?

[bellakoda in reply to Hidden]

Ok thank you for your advice. He is a very proud man trying to get him to speak about his feelings is very difficult. And to be honest he try to hide a lot because a get very upset and he try to protect me. X

[Hidden]

Yes, we all deal with things in our own way, and we all try and protect each other, so it's quite normal!

[alexLS14]

Hi. I experienced loss of appetite and the smell of some foods that I previously enjoyed made me feel nauseous! I also lost my taste and found that eating spicy foods helped a lot - curries being a favourite. He may have to eperiment until he finds foods that he can enjoy again. I also became intolerant to certain food (eggs and cereals being examples).

I can understand him feeling 'low/depressed'. He will have all sorts of thought going through his head! Must keep positive thoughts and trust the Oncologist and the hospital staff to do what they need

[haward]

If you do need someone to talk to the OPA has a helpline. The number is 0121 704 9860 and it is very good and will point you to people with direct oesophageal cancer experience.

[bellakoda in reply to haward]

Thank yous all so very much for your advice. Xxx

[lilia]

I was going through them this time eight years ago and didn't want to eat. My mouth felt like it was lined with cotton wool. I tried to eat when I felt hungry and had some weird and wonderful meals. My husband did the cooking and I kept out of the kitchen as I couldn't bear the smell of cooking. Get your dad to eat what he fancies when he fancies food. I found ice cream helped as it cooled my mouth down.

My best wishes to you both

[bellakoda in reply to lilia]

Thank you. Did u gave osphageal cancer and have chemotherapy. Xxx

[bellakoda in reply to bellakoda]

Have*

[lilia in reply to bellakoda]

Yes I did. Had chemo to shrink the tumour and then surgery. A long slow recovery but reasonably well now

[bellakoda in reply to lilia]

Am glad ur doin well now. My dad's has not shurk with chemo but it had already spread to lymph nodes so a dnt think we will be having a good outcome.😦xx

[Makulit]

Hi there, I had an oesophagectomy four months ago after more than three months of chemo and radiotherapy. A lot depends on age, fitness levels prior to illness and mental attitude toward it. There are a lot of things you can do to help. I suggest going onto Maggie's website, if you don't already know about it. I found it very useful and did a Mindfulness Meditation course while I was on chemo.

The mind is a very powerful weapon against illness and suffering when focused the right way. It's important to stay positive. I wish you all the best and feel free to message me any time.

[Hidden]

Also get him to try pineapple as it is very good for the mouth, it was recommended to me and helped a lot. I also had orange flavoured lolly ices which helped as well.