Surviving cancer: some options for yo... - Oesophageal & Gas...

Oesophageal & Gastric Cancer

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Surviving cancer: some options for you to consider

Artiquety profile image
6 Replies

I just want to share with you all, that I was diagnosed with a T3 (5cm) Tumour called Adenocarcinoma, situated in the junction of the lower oesophagus and upper G. I (stomach) in January. Last year I kept complaining of : chest pains, sore tongue and throat, thick mucus and not being able to gain weight. If only I had a diagnosis, having a camera down the throat back then. Nowadays, you can swallow a pill like sponge that inflates, on the end of a piece of string: to quickly take a swab of the cells n your throat to diagnose, but it isn’t as thorough as a camera.

Some claim that if I don’t have treatment: I may live for a few months- up to a year, depending on how quickly it grows. But with toxic treatments to kill off cancer cells this may prolong my live further , for a few more years and with surgery, perhaps an extra 5 years plus. If all goes well…..

As with any treatment, or surgery, there is a 50/50 chance of survival: your body may reject this or complications may arise, alongside human error occurring, of course.

There are lots of surgical procedures to choose from, to redirect the oesophagus and stomach. I implore everyone to do their own research and please always get a second opinion. Ask yourself-Can you trust everyone who speaks you?

Some Treatments for this cancer include: open surgery, Laparoscopy, minimal invasive (robotic), Immunotherapy, Radiotherapy, Chemotherapy, Proton beam only works on a Squamous cancer cell. There are trials: you can ask the oncologist for -if you don’t mind taking risks. However, we are all different and there is another option of radically changing your diet, lifestyle and stress levels: but you need specialist/professional help within this area.

Mon-Fri I decided to have 23 treatments of: radiotherapy, and Friday's, the added chemotherapy mix of carboplatin and Plaxetaxel (Apparently Flox is too strong for my body to accept). I have found that virgin coconut oil is great for moisturising whole body, cleaning my teeth rigorously and use corsodyl for my gums.

Starvation, hydration and Irrigation flushes out chemo toxins and helps the body to recover better. They say that this chemoradiation, alongside surgery, is the global, “gold standard treatment”, in Sheffield.

I’m reading that immunotherapy has helped in palliative care and after surgery, but don’t know of no one, who has had this prior to surgery, do you?

What I don’t understand is, if this helps your low immune system to fight cancer, then why don’t they use this as a cross trial treatment alongside, prior to surgery, if it prolongs life - it doesn’t make sense why this isn’t in place, what does anyone else think about this?

This is how I personally understand the situation in simple terms, of looking at how our bodies work with cancer: Normal cells usually replicate: one cell renews and the other dies. When the mitochondria gets damaged inside (by-accident, trauma, pollution, drugs, environment, stress, etc) the cells split and multiply the malformed nucleus, these sometimes clump, and inflame that area- so if you are lucky symptoms might arise before you get the late diagnosis. If the cancer are deprived of oxygen, they move around onto glucose for energy and invade more space.

Radiotherapy tries to burn the cells- like a microwave and chemo tries to kill the cancer like weeds, trying to deprive them of their oxygen and food…. But some grow back….Sneakily these microbes hide from our own fighting “ T “cells that try and fight these cancers, who greedily travel around the body into other glands, lymph’s, organs, bloods and bone etc, to absorb our nutrients: Hence losing weight, etc.

Unfortunately 40% nutrients have been depleted from our genetically modified fruit and veg, so we need to source supplements to maintain our health, main ones being: Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, alongside vit D to help boost our immunity.

Do ask for Nutri supplements from your designated Dietician (milk and vegan options available) if your weight is struggling. You may also be assigned a designated nurse, for any clinical matter that concern you, or call MACMILLAN’s helpline.

We are ingesting more plastics, lead, anntibiotics and hormones, found in our water and food sources. Kids are getting hyperactive and people are getting irate, does this resonate with anybody? Sadly people 1 in 2 people are getting cancer today, does it make you wonder why? It use to be 1 in 8, only 4 years ago…..

We need to know that what our GPs are prescribing, pharmaceutical drugs giving many side affects-that people are not realising nor understanding. We need to be more vigilant, just like knowing how to maintain a car engine, our bodies need oiling and maintenance too. PPI inhibitors are re-known to cause an imbalance, in a stomach. Poor gut health is one of the main reasons that may be the root cause of issues, affecting our bodies from running on a normal, day-by-day, existence.

Macmillon and Bupa support groups are helpful, having some free complimentary treatments, alongside The Cavendish, and Active Health. There is help available for any family support, too. HealthUnlocked is a fabulous forum about different types of cancer ailments and surgery options. The NHS offer free prescriptions if you ask for your consultant/GP for authorisation to apply (I was not made aware of this, and got a brown envelope chasing for back prescription payments!).

For those who like to read, there is a fabulous book by: Kelly A. Turner PhD called “Radical Remission, surviving cancer against all odds”

I hope that this info is helpful to anyone who is struggling out there. I wish you all the best of luck and enjoy what you have, by living today, be positive! Some say you are your own destiny…..Some people have had placebos and died, thinking that they have been given a disease, so please, be responsible for your own decision and actions….We all are human after all, nobody is perfect, keep safe x

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6 Replies
worthbanner profile image
worthbanner

"They say that this chemoradiation, alongside surgery, is the global gold standard treatment”...I can't say it any better.

Artiquety profile image
Artiquety in reply toworthbanner

We can all hope and pray, it’s a blessing that you are 8 years on from the operation, any tips to give out?

worthbanner profile image
worthbanner in reply toArtiquety

A couple of tips...ginger capsules help with digestive unease associated with chemo. Eating is a total experiment during the recovery period after surgery and thereafter for a year or so...don't be discouraged--you will find the proper amounts, types and timing of food given enough time. Good luck to you!

Artiquety profile image
Artiquety in reply toworthbanner

Thank you so much for your kind reply 🥰

Rsw1fe profile image
Rsw1fe

It was my husband who was diagnosed back in 2011, aged 76. This is a good story, he was lucky.He had intensive chemo for 3 months (EOX in those days, not easy to tolerate). A PET scan suggested that there was no spread, and the subsequent keyhole operation showed that the chemo had worked exceptionally well.

He made a very good recovery and had an excellent quality of life until 2022 when he died aged 87, probably of lymphoma.

Artiquety profile image
Artiquety in reply toRsw1fe

Awww bless you, I am so sorry to hear that, you see so many horror stories and it did make me dubious to think about the 8 hour operation, thank you for sharing your story, it must be tough. I lost my partner from a heart attack 5 years ago, so big virtual hugs from Derbyshire xxx

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