Failed swallow test for Stuart again.... - Oesophageal & Gas...

Oesophageal & Gastric Cancer

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Failed swallow test for Stuart again. So depressing and upsetting.

Ruri2712 profile image
8 Replies

Stuart had an oesophagectomy on 14 November last year quite high up. He had another swallow test end of January which showed no improvement in his swallowing. We had a long meeting with speech therapist about this. He’ll have another swallow test in 3 months meanwhile he has a series of specific exercises to do daily. If he fails the next one then that’ll be it for a year. It was so depressing talking to the therapist today as there were a couple of things I hadn’t fully understood. She was so gloomy about his chances of recovering his swallowing. Meanwhile I won’t share this with him as I have to keep him motivated. I could cry.

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Ruri2712 profile image
Ruri2712
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8 Replies
Julieanne60 profile image
Julieanne60

Hi Ruri2712. So sorry to hear your concerns for your husband. I assume he is taking his nutrition via a pump? It must be so disheartening for him. I truly hope that the swallowing exercises do start to make improvements and that his swallow reflex will start to recover. Take care. Julie

Ruri2712 profile image
Ruri2712 in reply toJulieanne60

Thank you Julie for your support and kind words.

Suec123 profile image
Suec123

so sorry to hear this. Unfortunately I can’t add anything helpful but hoping that the situation improves.

JE1983 profile image
JE1983

so sorry to hear this praying and hoping the exercises will work over the next 3 months. It must be so difficult for you. Sending you lots of love and look after yourself too supporting a loved one through this journey is completely exhausting and a rollercoaster of emotions xx

hunsdon profile image
hunsdon

my thought’s are with you like others we are all thinking you x

Libuse profile image
Libuse

I’ve had a feeding tube for 18 years, also have problems projecting my voice. However I have a full and active life. At 72, I still work full-time. It really isn’t the end of the world.

Ruri2712 profile image
Ruri2712 in reply toLibuse

Thank you. Can I ask why you didn’t recover your swallow. Are you Peg fed?

Libuse profile image
Libuse

hi Ruri- the tumour was high in the oesophagus but my husband was told it was inoperable because quality of life would be zero so only option radical chemo and radiotherapy. I always knew from the beginning that it would be so. I have a jejeustomy tube into small intestine and hook up to machine at night for 8 hours (I speeded up machine so I hampered during day. Got used to sleeping on my back. It will be ok. About to do 6 km walk in Epping Forest. Check out my web site doreenfletcherartist.com ❤️

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