https://onlinecommunity.cancercouncil.com.au/t5/New-Start-here/Recent-survivor-oesophageal-cancer/m-p/40157#M6898 <P>Hi, I went through radiochemotherapy last year for Stage1b squamous cell oesophageal cancer (no spread). I've been one of the lucky ones in that I'm currently in full remission.</P><P>Then the after-effects of the treatment began to surface:</P><P>Radiation scarring within the oesophageal causing stricture initially measured at 8mm (no wonder I kept choking on food!) - successfully treated after months of endoscopy treatments with dilatation, about 11 times in all) so I now have 16mm aperture and can swallow normally, thank goodness.</P><P>Hearing loss - I now wear hearing aids.</P><P>Osteoporosis - diagnosed recently after I sustained a fracture.</P><P>Short term memory loss and poor focus and concentration.</P><P>On top of all that, my last PET scan revealed calcification of the coronial arteries and mild lung effusion. I've been suffering from increasing fatigue and breathlessness and I suspect there may be cardiac damage from the treatment.</P><P>i don't get much support from my GP and have to push all the time to be heard and responded to. I'm looking around for a new GP but it's so hard when you're tired and can't focus!<BR />My radiation oncologist is the only doctor I trust. I'm speaking to him soon and hope he will be able to refer me to the cardiology clinic at the hospital where I had my treatment. My GP did refer me but the Central Referral System refused the request. I don't have private hospital cover.</P><P>I am 68 and am rather sick of being informed that what I'm going through is just part of the ageing process.&nbsp;<BR />Thanks for reading this. I just felt the need to unload!</P> Mon, 24 Oct 2022 08:58:10 GMT Emily99 2022-10-24T08:58:10Z https://onlinecommunity.cancercouncil.com.au/t5/New-Start-here/Recent-survivor-oesophageal-cancer/m-p/40157#M6898 <P>Hi, I went through radiochemotherapy last year for Stage1b squamous cell oesophageal cancer (no spread). I've been one of the lucky ones in that I'm currently in full remission.</P><P>Then the after-effects of the treatment began to surface:</P><P>Radiation scarring within the oesophageal causing stricture initially measured at 8mm (no wonder I kept choking on food!) - successfully treated after months of endoscopy treatments with dilatation, about 11 times in all) so I now have 16mm aperture and can swallow normally, thank goodness.</P><P>Hearing loss - I now wear hearing aids.</P><P>Osteoporosis - diagnosed recently after I sustained a fracture.</P><P>Short term memory loss and poor focus and concentration.</P><P>On top of all that, my last PET scan revealed calcification of the coronial arteries and mild lung effusion. I've been suffering from increasing fatigue and breathlessness and I suspect there may be cardiac damage from the treatment.</P><P>i don't get much support from my GP and have to push all the time to be heard and responded to. I'm looking around for a new GP but it's so hard when you're tired and can't focus!<BR />My radiation oncologist is the only doctor I trust. I'm speaking to him soon and hope he will be able to refer me to the cardiology clinic at the hospital where I had my treatment. My GP did refer me but the Central Referral System refused the request. I don't have private hospital cover.</P><P>I am 68 and am rather sick of being informed that what I'm going through is just part of the ageing process.&nbsp;<BR />Thanks for reading this. I just felt the need to unload!</P> Mon, 24 Oct 2022 08:58:10 GMT https://onlinecommunity.cancercouncil.com.au/t5/New-Start-here/Recent-survivor-oesophageal-cancer/m-p/40157#M6898 Emily99 2022-10-24T08:58:10Z