Do hope you're feeling ok. Fingers crossed for us all, eh! "Watch & wait" has been mentioned to me as an alternative to "maintenance" chemo. I'm trying to cope with oesophagul cancer, stage iv, diagnosed July 2014 - awtg CT scan results next week. Reading yr comments, I found yr. experience very similar to my own - glad you're making time for people who make you laugh. I'm fairly pragmatic, and very grateful that after radiation & chemo (now "maintenance") I really have few nasty effects except for tiredness. But I sometimes get fed up with reassuring well wishers that I'm fine. Occasionally, I just want to allow myself to surrender to what I call a "touch of sads". Stay strong and keep that smile. ... View more

Yes, we're still here. I was diagnosed with tumour & mets to lymph nodes, stage iv, in July 2013. Had Radiation, then 6/12 chemo. CT scans show tumour much reduced. Lucky with chemo, mainly just fatigue, no nausea. Will now remain on chemo via PIC line, to be monitored every 3/12. This site is quite helpful, there are others, ex UK & USA - some better than others, so search around. It is definitely scarey, what stage are you? Sorry you're chemo is making you feel bad - don't hesitate to discuss this with yr oncologist - if you've had radiation, that cld be the cause. Do use this site to vent feelings/thoughts you're not yet ready to share in person. We've all been there, and plsd to help you cope with this catastrophe. Wishing you all the best. ... View more

Not familiar with specific hospitals, but can advise my experience in diagnosis and treatment for Oesophagus cancer stage iv. Week public in-patient at Monash to find cause for persistant shortness of breath. Coronary & respiratory checked, discharged 31/5 to have CT scan 5/6, with results to Monash and G.P. Monash Public . letter recvd late July re follow up & diagnosis, to attend Clinic 22nd August. i.e. this week wld await PET + Biopsy + further appts., so unlikely to have any treatment till Oct/Nov. at least. That's a long wait for Stage iv cancer. Private 10/6 G.P. appt. 13/6 ref. to Oncologist PET scan endoscopy biopsy etc 8/7 diagnosis from Oncologist 22/7 commenced treatment (comb. chemo 5days+ radiation 14days) 16/8 finished rad., 2 more chemo to go. Conclusion - Private much faster action. Public very long wait. ... View more