To treat or not treat

[Seumas]

I was diagnosed with Osophageal cancer in April. I underwent 5 weeks of chemo and radiation therapy. I then suffered a lot with neutropenia and extreme tiredness, the latter of which persists. 

The surgeon is keen to operate but as I understand it the procedure is long and hard on ‘healthy’ patients. My dad and three of his siblings died of the same disease. From reading it seems that a lot of people going through the surgery don’t seem to have a very good prognosis and their quality of life depreciated. I’m unsure whether to go with surgery or run with more chemo and radiation, the decision needs to be made. I’ve discussed it with my daughter and my partner but they aren’t much help as they feel the decision needs to be mine. I realise this but just feel that I don’t have sufficient info to make the decision. A significant factor in my indecision is that my health wasn’t great before my cancer diagnosis. 

[Susana_CCNSW]

Hello Seumas,

I am very sorry to hear about your diagnosis and also the dilemma that you are currently facing.

I am sending you a link providing some information about Oesophageal Cancer, treatment options and also side effects.  I hope it can provide some relevant information for you, as we understand that each case and experience is different.

https://www.cancercouncil.com.au/oesophageal-cancer/

Warm regards

Susana

[Jennifer66]

Hi seumas

I understand your dilemna, although my cancer very different and no family history, I have bladder cancer, I have been through 12 rounds of BCG immunotherapy treatment and my only effect from treatments or having cancer is I get tired every afternoon, and now I’m at the stage my options are chemo which I’m told should have no effects or major bladder removal surgery, I am happy to go with nothing, and like you my family say it is my decision although my husband would like to try the chemo which I will do for him, however my bladder may not be suitable but will find out in a week or two, good luck with your decision 

[Seumas]

Hi Jennifer, 

Thank you for reading my post and I’m sorry to hear you had to face the situation you find yourself in.

I hope it all works out for you whether it be surgery or further treatment. I didn’t suffer much from side-effects during treatment but a few weeks afterwards I got so tired I was unable to function. I visited my local A&E and they diagnosed Neutropenia, because of the treatment affecting my white blood cells, they kept me in for a couple of days and gave me copious amounts of fluid and antibiotics. The tiredness has mostly disappeared at this point.

My decision regarding surgery was pretty much made for me when I had a second PET scan before seeing the surgeon.

The scan showed no cancer following the pre-op chemo and radiation therapy I underwent.

On seeing the surgeon he still wanted to operate and was reluctant to discuss the results of the 2nd PET scan. However I dismissed his argument that surgery was the only ‘cure’. I know that it’ll return but for now I’m extremely happy to be cancer free. 
I saw my oncologists after giving the surgeon the knock back and they offered me a further week of radiation and one further chemo treatment,

which finished 3-4 weeks ago.

So right now I feel great, much better than I have been.

Something else I’ve found out after discussing things with my GP, she thought I might be depressed and after asking me a set of questions (a test in reality) she confirmed that I was suffering a degree of depression, I was unaware of it. She prescribed a mild anti-depressant that I suspect is partly responsible for me feeling so good, so it might be an idea to consider broaching the subject with your GP?

Good luck and best wishes to you, I believe thinking positively too most certainly does help.

Regards

Seumas

[Jennifer66]

Hi seumus

good to hear your going well

, without doubt there is depression and anxiety involved and I know I get very anxious and no doubt depression is involved, however I am content with what I won’t go through, I’m happy to have a stent more long term and will go through the six week chemo, I’m neither positive nor negative I always like to sit in the middle as I’ve always found this the perfect seat to be in, as the disappointment with never overwhelm you 

good luck on your journey and always happy thoughts