DH has oesophageal cancer

We were given the same prognosis. My DH is stage 4 with incurable cancer. He has been on palliative chemo on and off since the first day of lockdown. His cancer is in his bowel with secondaries in lungs and liver. He has just finished another 18weeks of chemo and is now having a break. Chemo is gruelling without a doubt but it keeps him alive. He has had bowel cancer since 2013 and had operations and chemo over the last 11years. I hope your DH responds to chemo which helps to keep the cancer cells under some kind of control. Best wishes.

So sorry to hear your news. Such an awful shock for you both. Hope you can both make the best of your time together.

So sorry to read about your DH’s diagnosis, you will be feeling really she’ll shocked at the moment.
Don’t forget your friends, they will want to help you but won’t always know how. They won’t want to intrude but will be happy to be guided by you. Don’t be slow in letting them know if there is anything they can do to make your life easier.

So sorry to hear this. I hope the treatment will give you both the chance for some shared good times.

So very sorry to hear your news it’s bound to be a terrible shock for you both I’ll pray for you

Thank you for taking the time to update us.

Just wishing you and your DH, strength and peace.

Winniewit I am sorry. Until my husband had palliative chemo didn't realise there where different chemos for different cancers and different grades. My husband's was light sensitive so had to be in a black plastic bag.

Chemo and radiotherapy have advanced such a lot since my husband had his October 2003. He was given 4 months -2 years. Unfortunately he didn't live the 4 months.

My advice is to do everything you want while your husband can and get his affairs in order. We where very organised and everything was changed into my name apart from the house which was in joint names and we had always kept our wills up to date.

Make good use of McMillan as they with make sure you have everything you need financially and equipment Your district and community nurses are great help as well.

If my husband was alive today he would have lived longer as there is now treatment for grade 4 malignant melanoma which can extend a person's life span.

We always believed it was quality of life that mattered and not quantity. My husband wanted to reach his 47th birthday we got him there he died 4 days later at home with me and our children.

We had a wonderful McMillan nurse this was October 2003 she was a great help and support. If it wasn't for her we wouldn't have gotten DLA and carers allowance.

I hope this hasn't upset you more than you both are.

I wish you both a good outcome and quality time together. 💐

Winniewit, so very sorry to hear this unwelcome news.

Having been in a similar situation, my late DH and I tried to make the most of every day and make happy memories even though we knew what was coming. Of course, that depends on how your DH is feeling and how he responds to the chemo.

My DH was only given a few months to live but he made it to almost exactly a year after diagnosis.

My heart goes out to you both and I wish you strength as you travel this difficult road which none of us wishes to take.💐

I am sorry to see your news, Winniewit. I hope that your husband gets the best possible treatment which gives you the chance to spend quality time together whilst you can.

Hello Ladies
I cant find it I have posted an update .Anyway the latest news is that DH has inoperable cancer. Also deep infiltrations in the liver and has been given 2 years.
Iv been encouraged and uplifted by your own experiences with loved ones and close family members and my heart goes out to you all who are going through this now.
DH starts chemo on 2nd May...his birthday. Fingers crossed .

Whiff

Winniewit one of my friends mom had this over 10 years ago she had to have part of her oesophagus removed and stomach made smaller . Chemo and radiotherapy . She made a full recovery but has to be checked every year. She lives a full life. The only problem is she has to be very careful how much she eats or drinks when out. Because if she has 2 drinks and say a cake she needs the toilet now. And has no control over her bowel and had accidents when out. So she wears a pad when out and carries wipes and spare clothes. But she rides every week and is very active. She had to cut some food and drink out of her diet as they can trigger IBS. But found McMillan and the hospital dietitian very helpful. Like she says still has a life to live even with limitations.

Get all the information and help you can get and you can get an accesscardonline . It costs £15 pounds for 3 years . It's an easy form to filled lot of questions but especially for your husband it would mean if he needs a toilet and the shop didn't have a public one he could show the card and use the staff one. It covers a whole host of things. And the card has symbols on it relating to your needs . Mine has the symbol for not being able to stand for long which means I can jump queues if they are very long . I have a rare hereditary neurological condition which means standing still makes me wobbly and in danger of falling.

Wishing you both all the best.

This sounds an excellent idea.

Thank you for your good wishes Calli and maddyone They are much appreciated.

Winniewit, as has been mention above, our GP, district nurses, MacMillan nurses and palliative care team have been a wonderful source of support, going above and beyond in helping DH and myself. It’s almost two years since DH’s initial diagnosis of throat cancer which required a total laryngectomy but regardless of his prognosis, he has outlived any predicted date. Having the above team on board whenever I have a concern has given me such peace of mind, knowing they are there for me to turn to, I feel less alone knowing they are just a phone call away to offer help, support and solutions.

I wish you and your DH all the best. Trying to stay positive and upbeat isn’t always easy but with determination, this frame of mind is helping us through. Look after yourself too.

I have no advice to give you other than that already given by other posters. I just wanted to say I wish you and your husband all the very best. ❤️

My heart goes out to you both. I hope the treatment offered will be able to work its magic and give you both the reassurance you desperately need right now. A cancer diagnosis is scary for the whole family. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions that’s for sure. All the best from me to you.
x

So sorry to hear this news. I hope you are able to do some self-care too. Will be thinking of you both with positivity.

Such a very difficult time for both of you. Sending strength and good wishes.

So sorry to hear your news, I hope the treatment goes well

Sorry to hear this Winnie and also Kalu.

I am so sorry to hear your news, Winniewit, I hope your husband makes good progress with the treatment.

Here's case of oesophageal cancer with a good outcome.
My DH was diagnosed in October 2011 at the age of 76. After 3 months chemo he had a PET scan which showed no spread and the medics decided to operate at the beginning of March 2012. In fact, the chemo had worked so well that the tumour had shrunk to nothing, but they did the usual op, taking away the junction with the stomach etc.
DH made a stunning recovery. There were slight adaptations: we got an electric bed as he slept at an angle to prevent reflux (no sphincter to keep food in stomach) and he would need a gap between the main course and pudding of a big meal.
Otherwise, he was fine. We were flying our microlight by July and had lots mor adventures until he died in October 2022, a few weeks after being diagnosed with lymphoma aged 87.

I'm sorry to hear your news Winniewit

Sending best wishes and do accept all the help and support available to you.

I'm sorry too, Winniewit.

So sorry to hear your latest news on your DH. Just take one day at a time, keep notes of what is said at each appt, and look after your own health for you will need to be strong and capable. Sending you my very best wishes.

So sorry to hear your update Winniewit. for you.

Sad to hear your latest news, my heart goes out to you both.