Hi Scully. I had the op 31 months ago and it is very heavy. However you do recover but it takes time. I am now fairly fit, putting on weight and muscle and enjoying life. The OPA has a helpline and your dad could call that and speak to one of our patient support people; that might help. It's 01217049860.
There is plenty of hope even thought the surgery is tough. We hold patient support meetings too where your dad, and you, could meet people like me who have had the surgery and are still around and enjoying life - some of us for 20 and even 30 years after the op. Where are you - we can find your nearest group?
I had the op 9 years ago, I also run a patient support group.
The op is big, and some do say worst than heart surgery but is the only treatment and has very good outcomes.
As the medical team have explained the treatment will be chemo and op, they do consider your father is fit enough for the op, I also smoked but gave up a year before surgery.
With our support group we do see patients coming through of all ages, it is about patient fitness and the chance to cure rather age.
Recovery can be slow after surgery, consultants can say 9 months but expect longer for some people.
There are support groups across the UK, do contact the OPA as Haward mentioned earlier, they can put you in touch with a local group and patient support contact to have a chat at any time from diagnosis, during treatment and afterwards.
Happy to have a chat as well on 07734 394263.
Don't worry, if surgery is planned then your father has a great chance to get over this, the medical teams know what they are doing, and ask if they have a local support group.
Deep breaths Colleen .It is indeed a shock and in many ways this - diagnosis and before treatment starts - is one of the worst bits .
I had pre and post chemo ,surgery in 2013 .It's a big op but it was really ok for me ,not bad at all honestly .Recovery is a gradual business and of course it varies for everyone .
Be aware that lots of reports on internet are already outdated when published because of necessity they are based on studies carried out in past ,And also that most people who post on line are people who have had problems - not people like me ,for who it was relatively ok .
There are great advances in treatment ,great advances in managing the condition .
Great news your dad's hasn't spread .
Whereabouts are you ? Keep posting - lots of great advice and support here .
Hearing the news is like a bombshell - my husband was 65 when he was diagnosed in December 2013 and told that he could have surgery - that was a big plus and it is for your Dad. Also your Dad sounds positive. The surgeons that carry out the surgery are highly skilled and you will be kept well informed of each stage that he goes through. This site is so helpful and re-assuring. My husband is just leaving to have an Archery lesson - something he has taken up to gain strength in his shoulders and arms since his operation in May of last year. He has his ups and downs and life is different but as he keeps saying to me the problems he does have are a small price to pay to be here. Keep us posted x
Yes it's big stuff - I had mine at age 71 and the aftermath of the surgery at that age lasts a long time. But without the surgery ... So assuming the team looking after your father (oncologist, gastrenterologist, surgeon) consider he has a good chance of survival, he has to go for it and the family has to wear it - you will and good luck.
My husband, now aged 80, is nearly 4 years post-op, well and active. We know he's been lucky.
Just one thing though: is your mother around? She will really REALLY need your support, from you and from any of your brothers or sisters. Don't forget her - she's going through a tough time too. Our son and daughter were wonderful and helped us both through that time, during the chemo and the recovery after the op.
Hi Coleen. I was diagnosed at age 62 in Dec 2012 and following chemo had my surgery in Feb 2013 so I am now 2 years 10 months post surgery. There is no getting away from the fact that it is a tough journey but with the advances in medicine and surgery your Dad will have an excellent chance of getting through it. He will need to have a really positive attitude and good family support and whilst there will be difficult days ahead he can come out the other side and other than the chemo and operation there is not really an alternative. I am now fit and healthy - was out walking my daughters dog for 3 hours yesterday and planning to go skiing in the new year. Whilst cancer of the oesophagus was a very difficult disease to treat even up to 7/10 years ago survival rates are now very good if it can diagnosed relatively early.
I had my op 2 years ago. I was smoking 30 a day. Due to other complications my chance of surviving the op were down to 15%. But was on my feet 3 days after. It is a bad op and recovery is a very long road. I am 66 this month. So don't lose hope. There are hundreds of people alive today thanks to the op. My prayers will be with you all.
Hi Coleen, I was diagnosed with Oesophageal cancer nearly 4 years ago, it was a major shock as I was only 55 at the time , I had 3 doses of chemo ,before the op and 3 after , I am almost 3 and a half years on now and doing well, you do feel pretty rough after the op but a good healthy outlook on life by everone around you certainly goes a very long way , you get good days and bad days , , I went back to work 12 months after op but owing to my boss not being very helpful I decided to leave and start my own buisness which has been going well now for 2 yrs, most of the drawbacks I get these days are through me eating to much , my surgeon did say that one of the hardest things on the journey is learning to eat again , little and often , am now realy enjoying life, enjoying work, and we have some fantastic holdays abroad, so all I can say is that in my experience everything has gone realy well and myself and family are extremely gratefull to the team at derriford hospital Plymouth
I was only 54 ,never smoked or had much alcohol so was devastated when I was diagnosed. I am now nearly 10 years down the line. I have had several foreign holiday since and witnessed the birth of 4 new grandchildren. Recovery is slow but take each day as it comes. Some days I feel rubbish and just spend the day chilling out and some days I am full of energy.
The operation is serious. if they cut your esophogus one idea is to reconnect it with a piece borrowed from your colon. Most doctors prefer not to.
Chemotherapy and Radiation treatment is not necessarily a burden.
Ask the Doctors to do a DNA scan of your cancer inclinations and do a biopsis of the actual effected esophogus? The smart medicine can then deciede what exactly the situation is and if they can create a personal solution for your health?
I have a Chemotherapy using Carboplatin and Taxol. Along with
steroids, and anti nauseau medications. it is worth investigatin.
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